SICE – Productive Innovation | Low-Density Territories

The PT 2030 call that can cover up to 60 % of your SME’s investment.

Portugal 2030 has launched the SICE – Productive Innovation – Low-Density Territories call: €117 M to modernise, digitalise and decarbonise small and medium-sized enterprises located outside the main urban centres.

Who Can Apply?

• SMEs with a facility in a low-density territory (North, Centre, Alentejo, Algarve).
• Exception: projects in Renewable Energy, Agri-food or Tourism located in Alentejo Litoral are not eligible (RIS3 / PTTJ rule).

ℹ In the case of SICE Productive Innovation – Other Territories, the submission of Aid Request Registrations (RPA) is currently open.

Eligible Project Types

• New production facility
• Increase ≥ 20 % in existing capacity
• Diversification to new products/services
• Fundamental change of the production process

Eligible Costs

• Tangible assets, including the purchase of machinery and equipment and directly attributable costs to place them in their location, as well as the purchase of IT equipment;
• Intangible assets, including technology transfer through the acquisition of patent rights, licences, technical knowledge not protected by patents, and standard or specifically developed software for a particular purpose;
• Other investment expenses, including engineering services; studies, audits; reports; marketing plans; architectural and engineering projects and services (incl. DNSH study; overall limit 20 % of costs, DNSH ≤ €15 k, ROC ≤ €5 k).
• In operations within the tourism and industry sectors, the construction of buildings, renovation works, and other constructions are eligible (≤ 35 % of costs for industry; ≤ 60 % for tourism).

Eligible investment: minimum €300 k, maximum €25 M.

Bonuses That Raise the Grant Rate

• +5 pp for Climate Transition actions (energy efficiency, renewables, circular economy).
• +5 pp for Industry 4.0 solutions (digitalisation, automation).

These are rate increases, not just extra evaluation points—more non-repayable money for your project.

Climate Transition Bonus – Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the +5 percentage point increase in the grant rate, your project must demonstrably contribute to Portugal’s and the EU’s climate goals, in line with the principle of “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) and the objectives of the European Green Deal.

The contribution must be direct and measurable in at least one of these areas:

1 – Energy efficiency improvements

• Implementation of systems, technologies, or processes that significantly reduce energy consumption per unit of output.
• Replacement of old machinery with high-efficiency equipment that meets or exceeds EU energy performance standards.

2- Adoption of renewable energy

• Integration of renewable energy into the production process.
• Installation of solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, geothermal, or biomass-based systems for self-consumption or production.

3 – Circular economy measures

• Reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials within the production cycle.
• Introduction of processes that extend the product’s lifespan or improve its repairability.
• Use of secondary raw materials in manufacturing.

4 – Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

• Technologies or process changes that cut CO₂ or other GHG emissions compared to baseline operations.
• Implementation of low-carbon or zero-carbon mobility solutions (e.g., electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, excluding fossil-fuel vehicles).

5 – Low-carbon products and processes

• Development of goods or services with significantly lower lifecycle emissions than market alternatives.
• Substitution of high-carbon inputs with low-carbon materials or processes.

Evidence required:

• Baseline and projected performance indicators (e.g., kWh saved/year, % renewable share, tonnes CO₂e avoided).
• Technical documentation or certifications proving the environmental performance.
• Clear linkage between the investment and the expected environmental impact.

How Plan4Sustain Makes it Work for You

• Free eligibility check (location, CAE code, RIS3 alignment)
• Sustainable investment strategy with clear ROI & KPIs
• Turn-key dossier (application form, DNSH study, budgets, financial projections)
• 360° follow-up until the last euro of the grant is secured

Next steps

• Confirm that your facility is in a low-density territory.
• Ensure your plan meets the €300 k minimum investment.
• Start shaping the project now to submit in Phase 1 – 28 Nov 2025.

Ready to turn your next investment into a competitive leap?

Book your free diagnostic and discover how Portugal 2030 funding can work for your SME.

Still have questions? Get in touch with us here: comercial@plan4sustain.pt

*Cover Photo by Cemrecan Yurtman na Unsplash