EU Funds - Supports for Small Business
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From: Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
- Published on: 5 December 2019
- Last updated on: 18 November 2024
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are a key target of European Union funding. The European Union describes Small and Medium Enterprises as those with staff of under 250 and a total turnover of less than €50 million. A Microenterprise is one that employs 10 people or less and has a turnover below €2 million.
Under the four programmes listed below, supports include financial support, training and mentoring programmes (like those under the Microenterprise Scheme) and market access (this is funded by schemes like the Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme). Under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the LEADER Programme also supports enterprise throughout the country.
| Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme | €69.2 million |
| Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme | €58 million |
| Rural Development Programme | €300.3 million |
| EMFF Operational Programme for Ireland | €71.5 million |
Examples of Support for Small Business Projects
Microenterprise Scheme
European Regional Development Fund
Local Enterprise Offices around the country administer European grants for a wide range of schemes targeted at businesses with less than 10 employees. Learn about the kind of projects supported by these grants by reading this case study.
For details about the supports offered by Local Enterprise Offices, take a look at the Local Enterprise Offices’ website.
New Fishermen Scheme
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
This scheme, managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, helps applicants under 40 acquire their first fishing vessel.
The grant provides 25% of the cost (up to €75,000) of acquiring the vessel.
For more details about this scheme, and other schemes managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, take a look at their website.
Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
This scheme, also managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, provides grants for 15-30% of capital investment costs to Seafood Processing SMEs or SMEs seeking to expand into Seafood Processing.
To learn more about this scheme, and the full list of areas supported, take a look at the Bord Iascaigh Mhara website.
Funds which invest in Support for Small Business
Each of the Funds below invest in Support for Small Business: