Master Craftsman Start-up Grant Brandenburg
Grant for master craftsmen in Brandenburg for founding, takeover, or participation with additional funding for created jobs and training positions.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The state of Brandenburg supports master craftsmen and holders of equivalent foreign professional qualifications in the initial establishment, takeover, or active participation in craft businesses as their main occupation. The goal is to create an incentive for business startups and company successions, to secure the existence of craft enterprises, and to create additional jobs and training positions.
Eligible expenses
- Operational investments
- Operating expenses
- Personnel expenses
Non-eligible expenses
- Expenditures before the start of the measure
- Expenses for consulting services before establishment
- Business registration costs before establishment
- Costs for acquisition of rights
- Acquisition of real estate
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Passed German master craftsman examination or equivalent recognition of equivalence
- Citizenship of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, or valid residence permit for self-employment
- Start-up, takeover, or participation in a full-time craft business in Brandenburg
- Professional advice and statement from the competent Chamber of Crafts
Documents required for application
- Application form
- Master craftsman's certificate or equivalency notice
- Business registration
- Crafts card
- Statement from the Chamber of Crafts
- Credit report (Schufa)
- De minimis declaration
- Personnel deployment job description
- Proof overview
- Invoice list
Evaluation criteria
- Fulfillment of the professional eligibility requirements
- Proof of operational investments or operating expenses in the amount of the requested grant
Description
The Brandenburg Master Start-up Grant supports master craftsmen/women as well as holders of equivalent foreign professional qualifications in the state of Brandenburg when founding, taking over, or actively participating in a craft business as their main occupation for the first time. The goal is to secure and increase the number of craft businesses as well as to create additional jobs and training positions. Applicants must provide proof of a passed German master craftsman examination or an official recognition of equivalence, submit professional advice and a statement from the responsible Chamber of Crafts, and hold citizenship of an EU/EWR member state or Switzerland, or possess a valid residence permit for self-employment. The measure may only commence upon confirmation of the complete application by the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) and has a project duration of up to 12 months.
Funding is provided as a one-time, earmarked grant in two stages: A basic subsidy of up to €12,000 supports business investments and operating expenses. For each created permanent full-time position subject to social insurance contributions or two part-time positions (each at least 50% of full-time) or one industry-standard paid training position, an additional amount of up to €5,000 is available – if filled by a woman, even €7,000. The prerequisite is proof of eligible expenses corresponding to the requested grant amount. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2026. The ILB supports interested parties from consultation through the Chamber of Crafts to application submission and disbursement. Eligible applicants can find all important forms and detailed information on the Investment Bank Brandenburg’s website.
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