Weiter!Bilden - Funding for Sustainable Business Development

In Styria, the Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG) supports qualification measures for small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on sustainable business development. With a subsidy of 30% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 2,500 euros per application, the program promotes the establishment of forward-looking mindsets to address limited resources, increasing energy demand, and skilled labor shortages. Within a project duration of up to 24 months, entrepreneurs, employees, and apprentices from SMEs can expand their competencies in areas such as sustainability management, organizational development, business administration, workforce development, as well as resource, environmental, and climate management. Applications must be submitted at any time but no later than June 30, 2027, before the project start. The evaluation particularly considers the relevance to sustainable business development, the quality certification of the educational institution, and the cost-effectiveness of the project.

Eligible for funding are SMEs with a business location in Styria; private individuals and companies in the gastronomy/tourism sector are excluded. Funded are participation fees for certified courses as well as costs for external event formats, but not travel and accommodation expenses, personnel costs, examination fees, dual-funded training, or measures already subsidized by other bodies. A prerequisite is the timely submission of the application before the course start at a recognized adult education institution. For processing, a project description, a cost estimate from the educational institution, its certificate, a participant list, and proof of business authorization must be submitted. Payment is made after project completion based on the provided documentation. Interested companies can thus sustainably strengthen their competitiveness through targeted further training.