Future Centers – Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Employees in the (Further) Development and Implementation of Innovative Approaches to Managing Digital Transformation
If you are a company – especially a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) – or a (solo) self-employed person in need of support with digital, ecological, or demographic transformation, you can turn to one of the institutions from the Future Centers program.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs supports the development and testing of innovative concepts for in-company further training aimed at strengthening digital competencies in enterprises. To this end, a nationwide comprehensive access to consulting and qualification services has been established to support SMEs, employees, and (solo) self-employed individuals in the digital, ecological, and demographic transformation.
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- SMEs
- Employees
- (Solo)Self-employed
Description
The funding program "Future Centers – Support for small and medium-sized enterprises and employees in the (further) development and implementation of innovative approaches to managing digital transformation" supports SMEs, employees, and (solo) self-employed individuals nationwide in successfully mastering digital, ecological, and demographic change. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and in cooperation with established regional networks and competence centers, the program provides companies with access to free consulting and qualification services. The measures promote innovative training and consulting approaches tailored precisely to the needs of businesses in various regions – from the participatory introduction of digital technologies to the development of forward-looking qualification concepts.
The program focuses on strengthening digital competencies in small and medium-sized enterprises. Regional Future Centers, such as those in the North, Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, South, as well as specialized institutions like the House of the Self-Employed and the Center for the Future of Work (ZZA), develop and test innovative models of on-site further training. These centers consolidate sector- and region-specific knowledge, offer individual consulting, and facilitate exchange among relevant economic actors. In doing so, they consider not only technological innovations but also aspects of demographic change, ecological sustainability, equal opportunities, and the promotion of diversity.
The funding program thus represents an integral component of the national digitalization strategy by enabling companies and their employees to actively shape change. With nationwide comprehensive access to consulting services and pilot projects in the regional Future Centers, innovative approaches to workplace training are tested and prepared for transfer to other companies. Through these practice-oriented measures, not only is the competitiveness of companies strengthened, but also a sustainable contribution is made to securing and further developing Germany as a business location. The consultations and accompanying networking activities are provided free of charge, enabling participating companies to benefit from the latest insights in the field of digital transformation.