Portugal rolls out EU‑funded programmes to boost SME sustainability and digitalisation

The INOV3Mat project, approved for €1.45 million in total eligible costs and receiving €772,391 in EU incentives, will run from June 2026 to May 2028. It targets 24 small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises in the construction materials sector, supporting digital transformation, organisational innovation, green practices and market competitiveness through consultancy, AI tools, ISO‑9001 and ISO‑56001 certification, cybersecurity measures and data‑analytics solutions.

In the Alentejo region, the CCDR launched two EU‑funded calls under the 2030 programme. A €1 million circular‑economy call offers up to 60 % co‑financing for SMEs to develop resource‑efficient products, eco‑design and water‑reuse solutions, with applications due 30 November. A second €3.5 million call provides up to 85 % co‑financing for higher‑education institutions, NGOs and partners to build or upgrade technological infrastructure, especially for sustainable bioeconomy research, with a deadline of 30 October. Both initiatives aim to strengthen Portugal’s regional innovation capacity and promote greener, digital business models.