Rural Development Program (ELR) – Excellence in Rural Areas! Technology Leader for Baden-Württemberg
Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas of Baden-Württemberg receive grants for investments in buildings, machinery, and equipment to develop new or improved products. Up to 20% (small enterprises) or 10% (medium enterprises), max. €400,000 (€500,000 for circular economy/bioeconomy). Applications through the municipality year-round, with deadlines on 28.02 and 31.08.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas of Baden-Württemberg on their path to technological leadership by promoting investments in buildings, machinery, and equipment for the development and commercial utilization of new or improved proprietary products and services.
Eligible expenses
- Investments in buildings
- Investments in machinery and equipment
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Headquarters or place of business in Baden-Württemberg
- Small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 100 employees
- Introduction of at least one new own product or new own service for the company
- Proof of potential for technology leadership
- Implementation of the project in a municipality of the rural area according to the state development plan
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Documents required for application
- Statement from the municipality regarding the project
- Company profile
- Form for collecting planned target contributions
- Project description (ELR form no. 5)
- Cost estimate
- Project fact sheet with image rights
- Image rights form for the use and exploitation of image material
Evaluation criteria
- Quality and clarity of the application
- Market potential of the products or services
- Technology and innovation potential
- Contribution to the circular economy and bioeconomy
Description
The funding program "Leaders in Rural Areas! Technology Leaders for Baden-Württemberg" aims to strengthen the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas and to expand their position as technology leaders. Investments in buildings, machinery, and equipment for the development and commercial use of new or improved own products and services are supported. Small companies with fewer than 50 employees receive up to 20% subsidy, medium-sized companies with up to 100 employees up to 10% of eligible costs. The maximum funding rate is generally €400,000, and for projects with a clear contribution to the circular economy or bioeconomy, €500,000. The funds come in equal parts from the State Development Program for Rural Areas (ELR) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Eligible to apply are SMEs with headquarters or operations in municipalities classified as rural areas according to the State Development Plan, which introduce at least one new product or service for the company and demonstrate their potential for technology leadership. The application process is two-stage: first, the municipality submits an informal admission request to the responsible regional council by February 28 or August 31. Subsequently, after positive project selection, the formal application is submitted to L-Bank. The evaluation criteria include the quality of the application, market and innovation potential, as well as contribution to the circular economy and bioeconomy. Required documents include, among others, the municipality’s statement, company self-presentation, project description (ELR form no. 5), cost estimate, form for collecting planned target contributions, and project profile with image rights. The call for proposals runs until August 31, 2027, offering ongoing funding opportunities to sustainably strengthen the innovation landscape in rural Baden-Württemberg.