Program for Crisis Management and Restart (KUNST)

The program Crisis Management and Restart (KUNST) is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with headquarters or operations in Saxony that are threatened in their existence or liquidity due to economic or sector-specific crises. As a continuously available grant, it supports measures to stabilize corporate finances as well as digital and organizational modernization. Funding is provided for consulting services and investments in digital solutions that enable a sustainable strengthening of competitiveness. The program assists companies in developing and implementing restructuring and recovery plans to ensure a successful restart following exceptional economic burdens.

For approval, it must be demonstrated that the company meets the EU definition of an SME (fewer than 250 employees, annual turnover ≤ €50 million or annual balance sheet total ≤ €43 million) and that there is an economic impairment due to the crisis situation. The severity of the crisis, the sustainability of the restructuring or modernization plan, and the impact on job preservation are evaluated. Applicants submit a cover letter describing the crisis situation, current profit and loss statement, liquidity plan, and a detailed concept for the restart measures. Submissions are possible at any time, allowing flexible response to acute crises. The project sponsor is the Saxon Development Bank – Förderbank – (SAB), which acts as the central funding institution of the Free State of Saxony. The funding program makes an important contribution to securing regional value creation and employment in structurally significant Saxon economic sectors.