Until December 15, SMEs can apply under the procedure "Introduction of technologies in the field of Industry 4.0"

Small and medium-sized enterprises have the opportunity to submit project proposals under procedure BG16RFPR001-1.008 "Introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies in enterprises" under the Program "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" 2021–2027. The deadline for applications is December 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Purpose of the procedure

The support under this procedure is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and aims to increase the share of companies implementing technologies in the field of Industry 4.0. With the implementation of the activities, it is expected:

• increasing the level of digitalization of Bulgarian enterprises;
• overcoming the existing lag of SMEs compared to other European countries in terms of the use of digital technologies in production and business processes;
• stimulating wider implementation of modern digital solutions in management and production.

Eligible candidates

The procedure is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises, registered no later than 31.12.2022, which operate in eligible sectors and have generated net sales revenue for the 2024 financial year, depending on the category of the candidate enterprise, as follows:

Enterprise category	Net sales revenue for 2024
Small business	≥ 300,000 leva
Medium-sized enterprise	≥ 1,000,000 leva

Applicants should declare support for their main economic activity according to the 2008 Economic Activity Code and have level of maturity of digital technologies in the range from 25% (20%) to 80%, estimated by the tool European Commission Open DMAT.

What expenses are financed?

Projects must necessarily include activities on Element A – introduction of technologies from the last four levels of digitalization, according to the Maturity index – Industry 4.0, and can also be combined with activities on Element B.

Element A (required):

1. Costs for the acquisition of long-term intangible assets (LTAs) necessary for the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies according to Annex 18 to the Application Conditions.

The software systems and applications included under Element A may be implemented/used as:

• ready-made solutions corresponding to the needs of the enterprise;
• customized solutions developed by a contractor in accordance with the needs of the enterprise;
• SaaS (Software as a service), where applicable.

When acquiring specialized software through its development, all copyrights and applicable licenses should be respected.

2. Expenses for the acquisition of machinery, facilities and equipment, representing fixed assets (FIXED), necessary for the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies - according to Appendix 18.

Examples of eligible and ineligible assets (non-exhaustive list) under the procedure are set out in Annex 19 to the Application Conditions.

Element B (optional, only in combination with Element A):

1. Costs for enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy – up to 40,000 BGN;

2. Costs for introduction of standards in the field of Industry 4.0 – up to 20,000 BGN.

Financial parameters

Minimum amount of aid: 150,000 BGN.

Maximum size:

• for small enterprises – up to BGN 450,000;
• for medium-sized enterprises – up to BGN 450,000 under the de minimis regime or up to BGN 850,000 under the "regional investment aid" regime.

The percentage of funding depends on the size of the enterprise, the regime and the region, with the maximum percentage of grant aid for companies from Ruse and the region being 50%.

Combined support

The possibility of combining the grant with support under a financial instrument is provided. "Portfolio Guarantee with a Loss Cap for Digitalization", structured by Fund manager of financial instruments in Bulgaria EADIn this way, SMEs can combine the grant with a loan (investment or working capital) and/or financial leasing, where part of the financing risk will be covered by the guarantee. This makes it possible to ensure full financing of digitalization investments.

Information days

An information and awareness campaign has been launched as part of the procedure. For the time being, no in-person event is planned in Ruse, but local companies can join the planned online information day, which will be held on October 17 (Friday), from 10:30 a.m.

Important information for candidates

Questions and requests for clarification can be submitted through the system UNMIS no later than three weeks before the application deadline.

The full application requirements and schedule of information events are published on the website of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.

Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry invites local businesses to take advantage of financing opportunities and supports enterprises by promptly informing them about current programs and initiatives that support the modernization process and encourage their growth.