Innovation Program of the State of Styria
Funding of projects in Styrian tourism municipalities with a focus on accommodation, gastronomy, recreational facilities, environment, safety, and accessibility. Application must be submitted before the start of investment. Valid since 26.04.2013, unlimited.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
This program aims to strengthen the Styrian tourism industry by increasing its economic strength, securing employment, and improving competitiveness. It supports the establishment of leading tourist enterprises, investments to optimize business size, quality improvements of existing businesses, as well as the creation and renewal of tourist infrastructure.
Eligible expenses
- Capital investments
- Operational infrastructure
- Energy-saving measures
- Safety measures (e.g., fire protection)
- Use of new organizational and communication technologies
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of operating resources
- Purchase of undeveloped land
- Acquisition of passenger cars
- Repairs and maintenance measures
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Project location in Styrian tourism municipalities
- Valid trade license of the applicant
- At least 30% own funds or own contributions
- Project start only after application submission
Documents required for application
- Application
- Detailed project description
- Cost breakdown
- Permanent business license or commercial register excerpt
- Business plan
- Lease or rental agreement (if not owned)
- Financing commitment and loan agreement or proof of own funds
- Balance sheets and income statements of the last two fiscal years with list of attachments
- Articles of association (for companies)
- Official permits required for the project (e.g., building permit)
Evaluation criteria
- Economy, efficiency, and appropriateness
- Integration into tourism policy priorities
- Regional positioning of the company
- Quality improvement
- Degree of innovation
Description
The innovation program of the State of Styria specifically supports investment projects in Styrian tourism municipalities. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the accommodation and gastronomy sectors, as well as operators of leisure facilities, can receive grants ranging from 5% to 20% of eligible costs for measures aimed at quality improvement, capacity optimization, and the creation or renewal of tourist infrastructure. Eligible expenses include capital investments, operational infrastructure, energy-saving and safety measures (e.g., fire protection), as well as the use of new organizational and communication technologies. Prerequisites for application are a valid trade license, a project location in a tourism municipality of Styria, at least 30% own funds, and project commencement only after submission of the funding application. Funding is available indefinitely, and applications can be submitted free of charge before the start of the investment.
The program’s objective is to strengthen the regional economic strength by creating and securing jobs as well as increasing competitiveness. Evaluation is based on criteria such as thriftiness, economic efficiency, integration into tourism policy priorities, regional positioning, and degree of innovation. A complete application includes a filled-out application form, a detailed project description, cost breakdown, business plan, proof of trade license, financing commitment or proof of own funds, and financial statements from the past two years. For corporate forms, the articles of association are also required; for rented or leased properties, the corresponding contract and, if applicable, official permits (e.g., building permit) must be submitted. Innovative projects that sustainably contribute to the profiling of Styrian tourism enterprises are thus purposefully supported and further developed.
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