Basque Government extends Zabaldu+ SME internationalization aid

The Basque Government has extended the application period for its Zabaldu+ internationalization aid program until September 15. The current call for applications is endowed with 13.6 million euros, representing an increase of more than 40% compared to the previous edition. The program aims to mobilize approximately 34 million euros in total for market expansion projects.

The Department of Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability expects to support more than 390 projects. Zabaldu+ serves as a single window to replace and improve previous public support instruments, focusing on five pillars: increased aid intensity, administrative simplification, specialization, market diversification, and business cooperation.

The primary beneficiaries are Basque industrial and technological small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The program has also adapted its evaluation criteria to favor projects with higher strategic value, including startups and priority sectors.