Every year, the EU allocates large sums of money to various funding programmes aimed at helping businesses achieve their goals. In 2024, the European Investment Bank provided over €2 billion in financing for projects in Belgium alone. This is just one of many funding opportunities designed to help businesses in all member states enhance their competitiveness, boost research and development, and adopt sustainable practices.
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation. With a budget of €95.5 billion for the 2021-2027 period, it aims to make a difference in three main areas. First, it seeks to further excellence in science, supporting pioneering research projects through the European Research Council and furthering investment in research. Secondly, it addresses global challenges and competitiveness in areas such as health, digital, climate, energy, mobility, security, food and natural resources. Finally, it aims to boost innovation across the continent, particularly through the European Innovation Council (EIC) which offers support for groundbreaking innovations that private investors may find to be too risky. The programme provides both grants and opportunities for collaboration with research institutions, universities, and other businesses across Europe.
Many companies could benefit from Horizon Europe funding, especially those active in health and life sciences, digital technologies and AI, and sustainability and climate change. The EU Funding & Tenders Portal is the official platform where all calls for proposals are published. It also has guidance and online information sessions for anyone interested in applying. Horizon Implementation Days, which explain how to find opportunities and submit a proposal, start on 13th March 2025.
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank (EIB) – and its subsidiary the European Investment Fund (EIF) – provide long-term financing for large-scale projects that have a positive impact on the EU economy and support EU policy priorities such as energy, innovation and climate. In 2024, it funded Belgian projects with €2.06 billion in loans, equity and guarantees. While one third of financing in Belgium went to energy projects, 81% was spent on climate-related projects. Many large enterprises – such as De Watergroep, Elia and UZ Leuven – benefit from EIB funding, but the EIF also invests in SMEs by providing equity to investment funds such as Smartfin Capital and M80 Capital.
“Looking ahead, we want to focus on investing in projects that matter to people, for example affordable housing, the water sector and energy. Furthermore, Belgium has a flourishing biotech scene where our venture debt instruments are of great added value and which we will continue to support.” – Robert de Groot, EIB Group vice-president
LIFE programme
The LIFE programme has a budget of €5.45 billion dedicated to protecting the environment in four fields: nature and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and clean energy transition. While a lot of the budget goes to public authorities, NGOs and universities, the LIFE programme also specifically focuses on close-to-market projects helping companies bring their innovative solutions to market. Not only does it provide funding for the project, an experienced team also helps with coaching and advice.
“My advice would be to take enough time to plan your LIFE project application. […] It's essential to start early, seek support, and focus on the conceptualization and quantification of environmental impacts.” – Moritz Gold, Head of R&D at madebymade, winner of the 2024 LIFE Award for Circular Economy and Quality of Life
European Regional Development Fund
The aim of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is to promote economic development across the EU and reduce disparities between regions. SMEs can apply for ERDF funding through regional calls for proposals which often focus on green technologies, mobility, competitiveness and inclusiveness. Between 2021 and 2027, Belgium will receive around €3 billion in cohesion funding to further the digital and green transitions. Managed by regional authorities, the feder.brussels website publishes information on calls for proposals.
Connecting Europe Facility
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) provides funding for projects that enhance Europe’s transport, energy and digital infrastructure. It offers grants and other financial support such as guarantees and project bonds. The €5.84 billion budget earmarked for energy aims to boost cross-border energy infrastructure and support the transition towards clean energy. The transport budget of €25.81 billion also focuses on cross-border projects, aiming to remove bottlenecks and bridge missing links.
Single Market Programme
The Single Market Programme (SMP) is designed to support the single market which has been an integral part of the EU for nearly 30 years. Its main objectives focus on food safety, consumer protection, a more effective single market, high quality European statistics, effective European standards and support for SMEs. For SMEs, the programme aims to boost competitiveness and sustainability by facilitating access to markets, promoting entrepreneurship and addressing global and societal challenges.
COSME
The Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) programme helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access finance opportunities, especially if they have faced difficulties finding financing through traditional methods. Through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), it also offers equity funding and support for international expansion.
Where next?
The EU Funding & Tenders portal is the first port of call for anyone looking to benefit from EU funding, both for its information sessions and the calls for proposals published there. For those wanting help closer to home, the EEN helps SMEs through local hubs that offer personalised support. Enterprise Europe Brussels is made up of experts from hub.brussels and Beci. Horizon Europe also has officially designated National Contact Points (NCP) to guide businesses in finding relevant funding opportunities and preparing their proposal. In Brussels, the NCP is hub.brussels.
Where to look for more information
- EU Funding & Tenders portal
- Enterprise Europe Brussels
- Hub.brussels
- international@beci.be
- Feder.brussels