EU funding basics for small manufacturers

EU money for manufacturers rarely arrives as a cheque. It comes as grants for a share of a project, as cheaper loans, or as guarantees that make a bank say yes. Knowing which kind fits your plan saves weeks of paperwork.

Three kinds of support

• Grants cover a share of the eligible costs of a project, for example new equipment, digitalisation, energy efficiency, product development or entering a new market. You pay first and are reimbursed, so you still need the cash.
• Loans on better terms than a normal bank loan, often through national development institutions.
• Guarantees cover part of a bank loan, so the bank asks for less collateral.

Who runs it in Lithuania

• Innovation Agency (Inovacijų agentūra): grants for innovation, digitalisation, product development and export activities.
• INVEGA: loans, guarantees and some grants for small and medium-sized companies.
• Environmental Projects Management Agency (APVA): energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental investments.
• The ministries' calls are announced on the EU structural funds portal (esinvesticijos.lt), where you can see open and planned calls.

At EU level, programmes such as Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council fund research and innovation, usually for more ambitious projects and often with partners from several countries.

Before you apply

• Check that you are a small or medium-sized enterprise under the EU definition: fewer than 250 employees and either turnover up to 50 million euro or a balance sheet up to 43 million euro, counting linked companies.
• Most small grants fall under the de minimis rule: a company can receive a limited total of such aid over three years (300,000 euro since 2024). Keep a record of what you received.
• Do not start the project or sign purchase contracts before the call allows it; costs from before can be ineligible.
• Prepare a short project description: what you will buy or do, why, what it costs, what changes (more sales, less waste, new markets) and how you will measure it.
• Get price offers for the equipment or services early; most calls require them.
• Plan your own share and the cash to pay before reimbursement.

Where to get help

• Enterprise Europe Network: free advice on EU programmes and finding partners.
• Regional business information centres and the agencies above run free consultations before calls open.

Calls, amounts and rules change every year. Treat this as a map, and check the current call conditions before you plan around them.