Applications are now open for the call for proposals to support the internationalization via e-commerce of SMEs throughout Portugal, including the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores.
Notice No. 14/C16-i02/2023, which appears on the Recovery and Resilience Plan page, grants support to projects aimed at implementing digital internationalization strategies based on the implementation of technologies and processes associated with digital technologies that constitute adjustments to international business models.
The projects must include a direct presence on online channels, namely the creation of own stores and/or joining marketplaces, as well as the development of online promotion campaigns.
Beneficiaries and Access Conditions
Eligible for the competition are SMEs that can prove this status, to be obtained or updated through IAPMEI’s Electronic Certification, and that have a positive net worth in the full fiscal year prior to the year of application.
In addition, as a condition of access, beneficiaries are required to carry out an e-commerce diagnosis in which they must achieve a score of more than 20 points. The result of the assessment and the outputs of the recommendations of this Diagnosis are intended, on the one hand, to provide guidelines for drawing up a detailed International E-commerce Plan to support the submission of the application and, on the other hand, to define the type of application to be submitted.
The application period runs according to the following phases:
Phase 1: from August 24, 2023 to September 15, 2023, exclusively for candidates who completed the E-Commerce Diagnostic between August 24, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
Phase 2: 16/09/2023 to 20/10/2023, for the remaining candidates, with an E-Commerce Diagnosis carried out, dated August 24, 2022 or later.
Types and Financing
The following minimum and maximum eligible expenditure thresholds have been established for this Call for Proposals:
a) €10,000 and €25,000, for projects under the “New Exporters” typology: internationalization projects promoted by SMEs that have obtained a score equal to or greater than 20 points and less than 75 points in the diagnosis are included.
b) €25,000 and €85,000, for projects under the “More Markets” typology: internationalization projects promoted by SMEs that demonstrate the best conditions to promote the expansion and diversification of export markets through digital channels, which have obtained a score equal to or greater than 75 points in the diagnosis.
The support to be granted is in the form of a non-refundable incentive, calculated by applying a 50% rate to eligible expenses.
Eligible expenses
a) Purchases of equipment and software
b) Expenses related to the acquisition of services from third parties relating to:
b1) Design and implementation of strategies applied to digital channels
b2) User-Centered Design (UX): design, implementation and optimization of digital strategies centered on customer experience
b3) Design, implementation and optimization of Web Content Management (WCM), Campaign Management, Customer Relationship Management and E-commerce platforms
b4) Creation of own online stores, registration and optimization of presence in electronic marketplaces
b5) Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Advertising (SEA): improving presence and ranking in search engines
b6) Social Media Marketing: design, implementation and optimization of presence and interaction with clients via social networks
b7) Content Marketing: creation and distribution of digital content
b8) Display Advertising: placing advertisements for the company’s offer on third-party sites
b9) Mobile Marketing: translation of the strategies set out in the previous points
b10) Business Intelligence and Web Analytics: collection, processing, analysis and visualization of large volumes of data
c) Costs of technical staff directly involved in implementing the project (skills/validities in e-commerce and digital marketing and a minimum level VI qualification)
Project duration
Projects have a maximum duration of twelve months from the date of signature of the Acceptance Agreement.
Fund allocation
The amount allocated to the call for proposals is 12 million euros. Applications will remain open until the maximum number of applications has been received, based on the budget allocation.
We are here to help you with the digital internationalization of your business.
See the full Notice here.
