Future Centers – Support for SMEs and Employees in the Digital Transformation
Nationwide ESF Plus funding program of the BMAS: Free consulting and qualification services for small and medium-sized enterprises, employees, and solo self-employed individuals to manage digital, ecological, and demographic change.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), their employees, and solo self-employed individuals in the (further) development and implementation of innovative approaches to digital transformation, ecological, and demographic adaptation.
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- SME status according to the EU definition
- Headquarters or place of business in Germany
Description
The ESF Plus federal program "Future Centers – Supporting SMEs and Employees in the Digital Transformation" promotes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), solo self-employed individuals, and their employees nationwide. The goal is to develop and implement innovative approaches for the digital, ecological, and demographic adaptation of the working world. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), as the funding agency, provides free consulting and qualification services available to interested parties throughout the entire digital transformation process. Through regionally anchored Future Centers and the Center for the Future of Work (ZZA), a network is created that consolidates expertise, promotes exchange between practical partners, and advances a learning labor policy.
Eligible companies with SME status according to the EU definition and headquartered in Germany can submit applications on an ongoing basis. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant and covers various thematic areas: from digitalization and research & innovation to education & training as well as consulting and corporate financing. On-site experts offer tailored analyses, individual workshops, and coaching formats to optimize digital business processes, establish sustainable business models, and prepare skilled workers for change. The regional Future Centers work closely with local stakeholders to address specific local challenges and support SMEs in developing future-proof structures. Inquiries can be made without a fixed deadline, allowing companies flexible and timely access to support services.
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