Life!Close
Investment and digitization grant for Styrian local supply businesses to modernize trade, commerce, and services. Applications possible until 30.06.2027.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support and enhancement of existing or newly established local supply businesses in Styria through investment cost subsidies and grants for the digitization of production, distribution, internal operations, and marketing processes.
Eligible expenses
- Investment costs (machines, equipment, office and business furnishings, structural measures)
- Digitalization expenses (hardware/software, online shop, website, ERP/CRM/time tracking systems)
- Personnel and material costs related to the project
- Travel expenses
Non-eligible expenses
- Empty container return systems and associated costs
- Dependent employment shares exceeding the minor employment threshold
- Acquisition of vehicles (cars, trucks, buses) except vending machines
- Ongoing general expenses without project reference
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Company location in Styria
- Local supply business with goods/services for daily needs
- More than 50% turnover with private end consumers
- Classification as a micro or small enterprise
- Minimum project volume investment €20,000, digitization €3,000
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Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- De minimis declaration
- Accessibility confirmation (information sheet on barrier-free construction)
- Company data (business license, company size)
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Degree of digitalization
- Regional significance and preservation of local supply
Description
The funding initiative Lebens!Nah supports Styrian local supply businesses in investments and digitalization to strengthen regional quality of life and the quality of stay in communities. The target group consists of micro and small local supply enterprises that offer goods and services for daily needs and generate more than 50% of their revenue from private end consumers. The grants cover investment costs from €20,000 for machinery, equipment, office and business furnishings, as well as structural measures (maximum €100,000 eligible) and digitalization expenses from €3,000 for hardware and software, online shops, ERP/CRM systems, websites, and marketing processes. The funding rates range between 15% and 30%, depending on company size and degree of innovation, with an innovation bonus of up to 5% and a digitalization bonus of up to 30% (maximum €2,500). Requirements include a company location in Styria, classification as a micro or small enterprise, submission prior to project start, and a minimum project volume; additionally, de minimis regulations and barrier-free construction requirements apply.
Lebens!Nah makes an important contribution to preserving regional supply structures: the funding enables business owners such as Peter, Martina, and others to modernize market appearances, introduce online services, and digitalize production, sales, and marketing processes. This makes local supply businesses more attractive, helps secure jobs, and stabilizes training opportunities. Applications can be submitted online via the SFG portal until June 30, 2027. Funded projects are subject to verifiable criteria such as degree of innovation, level of digitalization, and regional significance; expenses must be documented with invoices and proof of use. The funding is provided as a grant, offering a tangible start-up aid of up to €15,000 or €2,500 for digitalization measures to sustainably strengthen local supply in Styria.
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