Objective of the procedure: To achieve intelligent transformation of SMEs through the establishment of green and digital partnerships with a research organisation and/or higher education institution for the provision of green and/or digital services, creating a competitive market advantage through the implementation and/or development of “green and digital” solutions and eco-innovations.
Eligible Candidates:
Traders within the meaning of the Commercial Act or the Cooperatives Act.
Registered no later than 31 December 2022.
Micro, small or medium-sized enterprises within the meaning of Articles 3 and 4 of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Act.
Generated net sales revenue for the 2023 and 2024 financial years, as follows:
– Micro enterprise ≥ BGN 40,000
– Small enterprise ≥ BGN 100,000
– Medium-sized enterprise ≥ BGN 700,000
Must be in partnership with at least one research organisation and/or higher education institution.
Eligible Activities:
1. Testing, validation and market uptake of innovative technologies/products in the field of green and digital solutions.
2. Validation of the new technology/product/process, including through prototyping, modelling, user testing and other validation tests.
3. Studies and development of sustainable business plans and models for the commercialisation potential in high value-added markets.
4. Analysis of growth prospects, intellectual property protection, competitive technologies, as well as regulatory, certification and standardisation frameworks, where applicable, and other related activities.
Eligible Costs:
1. Personnel costs (including health and social security contributions at the employer’s expense) for the applicant’s and partner’s staff for the duration of the project – researchers, technical staff and other qualified staff directly involved in project activities – BGN 40 per hour.
2. Costs for instruments and equipment (tangible and intangible fixed assets) – purchase of new equipment and/or depreciation of existing equipment of the applicant and partner(s).
3. Costs for contracted research, knowledge and patents purchased or licensed from external sources, as well as costs for consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the project.
4. Operating and overhead costs, including costs for materials and consumables.
Minimum grant amount: BGN 100,000
Maximum grant amount: BGN 1,500,000
Funding rate: from 50% to 80%
Total budget of the procedure: BGN 60,770,432
Deadline for submission of applications: 16 February 2026
