The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) has launched a call for applications for state-funded grants aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The funding call is organized into two main schemes: the first provides financial support for operational expenses, while the second focuses on financial support for capital expenditures.
AIDA states that the financial aid aims to foster the development of MSMEs by enhancing their competitiveness, improving products and services, fostering innovation and technology upgrades, supporting artisan businesses, and empowering women entrepreneurs. Business proposals must comply with specific criteria and conditions, which have been made public on AIDA’s official website.
The criteria, conditions, application forms, and required documentation can be found on AIDA’s official website. It is also specified that MSMEs that have already received financial support from donors or national and international financial institutions for the same eligible expenses or activities under these projects will not be eligible for this funding. Applications are open until February 28, at 14:00.
SCHEME 1: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
- Funding amount: Up to 2,500,000 ALL
- Coverage: 100% of costs
Eligible expenses include:
- Certification of production/service standards (including related consultancy services during the preparatory phase);
- Product improvement through labeling and packaging enhancements;
- Staff training to enhance capabilities in areas such as digital/innovative technology management, procurement networks, marketing services, business infrastructure modernization, new logistics systems, software, or equipment, and obtaining certifications from licensed training institutions;
- Participation in international fairs with pre-arranged exhibition stands;
- Development of applications or platforms aimed at improving e-commerce processes, new products and/or services, and logistics systems, aligning with market industry demands in Albania and the region;
- Preparation of promotional materials such as banners, flyers, catalogs, and brochures to enhance the image of MSMEs (not exceeding 20% of the total project cost).
SCHEME 2: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
2.1. COMPETITIVENESS PROJECTS
- Funding amount: Up to 1,500,000 ALL
- Coverage: 100% of costs
Eligible expenses include:
- Purchase of machinery that enhances production capacity and product quality.
2.2. ARTISAN PROJECTS
- Funding amount: Up to 1,000,000 ALL
- Coverage: 100% of costs
Eligible expenses include:
- Purchase of traditional and/or technological machinery to improve working conditions for the business;
- Purchase of e-commerce applications and/or programs.
AIDA emphasizes that all financial support proposals must be executed within the budgetary year, and the proposed activities must be completed by November 2025. Applications and document submissions will be conducted via email at: [email protected].
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