Discover the new COMPETE 2030 call for proposals that reinforces the internationalisation of Portuguese SMEs with an investment of €151 million.
Published on 11 July and presented by COMPETE 2030 during two sessions held on 14 and 15 July in Leiria and Porto, respectively, the call for proposals MPr-2025-14 paves the way for strengthening the internationalisation of Portuguese SMEs through joint operations promoted by public or private non-profit entities of an associative nature, whose activities are aimed at SMEs — namely business associations, chambers of commerce and industry, regional tourism promotion agencies, and other non-business entities within the National Research and Innovation System (R&I).
This call falls within the scope of the “Reforçar Programme” initiative, which seeks to address the challenges posed by the new international market context, enhancing the competitiveness of national companies and strengthening their export capacity and internationalisation. It does so particularly by increasing the international presence of SMEs in trade fairs and events and through prospecting and external marketing activities.
The aim is to continue providing financial support for joint operations that reinforce the business capacity of SMEs to internationalise and that:
– Enable an increase in the export base and capacity of SMEs and their international visibility through promotional and marketing actions, participation in international events, and access to and understanding of new markets, with added value given to market diversification and the increasing use of digital tools by adopting technologies and processes associated with digital channels;
– Focus on developing a structured intervention programme for a group of SMEs, which, through joint action, should enable more effective and efficient use of various resources, strengthen synergies arising from shared knowledge and experience, and enhance market visibility through a coordinated presence. The operations should offer common and coherent solutions to identified and justified challenges or opportunities, as defined in a joint action plan for the companies involved.
For more information, see the call for proposals (in Portuguese): MPr-2025-14