Consulting Guideline – Funding for Business Management and Technical Consultations
The Free State of Thuringia supports SMEs with funds from ESF+ for business management and technical consulting services. Grants of up to 50%–75% of eligible expenses. Applications online at the Thuringian Development Bank, also available for chambers of crafts and associations.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Thuringia through external business and technical consulting to enhance growth, competitiveness, innovation management, internationalization, technology management, and corporate strategy.
Eligible expenses
- Intensive consultations and process support
- In-house consultations in the craft sector
- Commissioned Innovation and Technology Officers (BIT)
- Establishment and operation of consulting and networking projects
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- EU SME definition
- Headquarters, place of business, or branch in Thuringia
- Minimum scope of 6 person-days of consulting
- Involvement of neutral quality assurance
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Statement from the quality assurer
- Financing plan
- Application form
Evaluation criteria
- Contribution to competitiveness
- Quality of the consulting concept
- Alignment with ESF objectives
Description
The "Consultation Guideline – Promotion of Business and Technical Consultations" of the Free State of Thuringia supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as chambers of crafts, associations, and non-profit organizations in the region. With funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), external intensive consultations, process support, and technical consulting services are promoted. Grants of 50% to 75% of eligible expenses may be awarded. A prerequisite is that the consultation is reviewed by neutral quality assessors and that a minimum scope of six working days is achieved. In addition, in-house consultations in the craft sector, the employment of officers for innovation and technology (BIT), as well as the establishment and operation of consulting and networking projects can be funded. The funding period usually lasts 48 months. Applications can be submitted online at any time via the ESF portal of the Thuringian Development Bank. For chambers of crafts and professional associations, a submission deadline of six weeks before the project start applies.
This program supports companies in growth, competitiveness, innovation and technology management, as well as internationalization and succession projects. Clearly defined criteria such as contribution to competitiveness, quality of the consulting concept, and alignment with ESF objectives ensure transparency in the selection process. Small and medium-sized enterprises based in Thuringia receive targeted consulting and networking to promote strategic corporate management and sustainability. Compliance with the EU SME definition and a comprehensible financial plan are indispensable. Through close cooperation with quality assessors, the success of the consultations is ensured and efficient use of funds is guaranteed.