Funding Trade Fair meets SMEs NRW

The funding program “Messe meets Mittelstand NRW” is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises with a branch or independent place of business in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia that wish to present their products or services at international trade fairs. With a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs – a maximum of EUR 7,500 per calendar year – the state of NRW supports participants in reducing size-related competitive disadvantages and opening up sustainable market opportunities abroad. Multiple grants are possible, provided that trade fair appearances take place in different countries or are spread over a period of three years. The application must be submitted electronically via the NRW.Global Business Portal and signed in original form no later than two months before the start of the trade fair project.

A prerequisite for funding is participation in a foreign trade fair listed in the AUMA directory as well as annual sales of less than EUR 50 million (for EU/EFTA fairs less than EUR 10 million). A joint North Rhine-Westphalian appearance at the trade fair stand emphasizes the regional character of the participation. Expenses for business consulting, trade fair representatives, chambers, associations and clusters, as well as participation in fairs with official state or federal involvement, are not eligible for funding. Interested companies can find all forms, the funding guidelines, and the overview of eligible costs as PDF documents in the service portal of NRW.Global Business. This funding provides SMEs with a straightforward and flexible opportunity to present themselves to global target markets and to establish business relationships at an international level.