Spanish Chamber of Commerce grants for innovative companies. Support for business competitiveness.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio de España) has launched a series of grants to help innovative companies grow and develop their business models. Below we outline the main programs:

Retail competitiveness support program
One of the most notable grant schemes is the retail competitiveness support program. These grants have already benefited 120,000 retailers through nearly 500 initiatives to revitalize shopping areas. Under this program, assessments will be carried out to improve the management of retail establishments, together with outreach activities and sales-boosting initiatives in shopping areas. Entrepreneurs will also be able to obtain grants to modernize their retail equipment.
Industry 4.0 program

Companies in the industrial sector will be able to access the Industry 4.0 program, which will help them adopt solutions that improve their competitiveness. These include production management systems, improved logistics management, the development of collaborative tools, and the optimization of production processes.
Cybersecurity
To tackle security problems within companies, the Chamber of Commerce has developed a cybersecurity grant program under which an assessment of the business’s situation is carried out and up to 85% of the cost of implementing the cybersecurity plan is subsidized, depending on the Autonomous Community (region) in which the company is located. Notable solutions under this program include identity and password management, malware detection and removal, patch and vulnerability management, and the deployment of virtual private networks.
GREENinMED grant plan
Efficiency is also part of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce’s business support program. The grant plan is called GREENinMED and is a project aimed at SMEs in the hotel industry located in the Mediterranean region. It will enable these companies to become more competitive, increase savings, and reduce their water and energy costs.
Tourism Competitiveness
The main objective of the Program is to contribute to improving the competitiveness of the tourism sector through measures that lay the appropriate foundations for its development. To that end, it provides tools and solutions that promote competitiveness in the sector and help improve its productivity. Implementation of the plan is subsidized by up to 85% (depending on the Autonomous Community) for investments of up to €7,000.
Sustainability Program for SMEs
The objective is to improve the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by fostering a culture of ongoing innovation in order to achieve sustainable economic growth through initiatives relating to energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, the circular economy, and the 2030 Agenda. Improvement of the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by fostering a culture of ongoing innovation in order to achieve sustainable economic growth.
The implementation of solutions is eligible for a grant of between 40% and 85%, depending on the Autonomous Community, of the investment made, up to a maximum of €7,000.

Corporate responsibility
The CSR-READY Project seeks to encourage SMEs to implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). To that end, it will provide information on the impact of implementing CSR, so that smaller companies can assess their capacity to undertake CSR measures, and it will train business owners and trainers (Vocational Training – FP) in CSR.

Digital transformation
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the public business entity Red.es, has launched the Acelera Pyme Offices, with the aim of driving digital transformation by fostering a culture of ongoing use and leveraging of ICT in business strategies, through a support process and the provision of key tools that maximize productivity and competitiveness, both nationally and internationally.
Assistance and advice are offered to companies in their digital transformation process through the Acelera Pyme Offices. These services are provided both in person and virtually and may be of two types:
• SMEs and self-employed workers in their digitalization process: Information and awareness-raising for companies in their digital transformation process, and specific support in the design and implementation of a digitalization strategy
• Technology SMEs, to facilitate market access for technology products: Support in testing new products, new services, and new business models and in bringing them to market, and support in the commercialization process (scaling, business plan, incubator services, internationalization, marketing, market assessment, legal aspects, regulations, etc.).
More sustainable companies
Sustainability is a strategic element that should be built into the management of every company, regardless of its size or sector of activity. In addition to reflecting organizations’ commitment to society, their stakeholders, and the preservation of the planet, it creates new business opportunities and strengthens business competitiveness in a global economy.
To support SMEs in managing their social and environmental aspects, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce has developed a web-based self-assessment tool.
This tool allows you to determine the company’s level of maturity in terms of social, environmental, and governance sustainability. Recommendations will also be provided to help the organization continue making progress in its sustainability management.