2026 funding for Romanian companies: Swiss funds, Start-Up Nation and Women Entrepreneur

The new SME Eco-Tech programme funded by Swiss funds: opportunities and objectives

For 2026, the Ministry of Economy is preparing a set of funding programmes to support Romanian companies, including a new programme funded by Swiss funds called SME Eco-Tech. Its aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting eco-friendly technologies and solutions that support the transition to a green economy. The initiative reflects the commitment of Romania and Switzerland to boosting the competitiveness of SMEs, as environmental policies are stepped up at European level.

Under this scheme, businesses are expected to invest in technologies that reduce their carbon footprint, implement innovative processes with a low environmental impact and generate high added value on the local and international market. The funding may cover a wide range of categories, from the purchase of energy-efficient equipment to digitalisation with a low environmental impact, including specialist consultancy for transforming business processes.

The Start-Up Nation programme continues: sustained support for entrepreneurs

The Start-Up Nation programme, recognised as one of the pillars of support for entrepreneurial initiative in Romania, is planned to continue in 2026 with new funding call windows. Eligible beneficiaries remain start-ups and small businesses, especially those with growth potential and the ability to create new jobs. The estimated budget for this programme shows a clear intention on the part of the Government to actively support the creation and development of businesses under more favourable conditions through non-refundable funding and related support.

The main eligible costs include equipment, software services, promotion and other investments that help strengthen the operational structure of businesses. It is vital that applicants prepare rigorous files demonstrating the feasibility of the business plan and its potential impact on the market. Better communication of projects, backed by clear financial forecasts, will make the difference in competition with other applicants.

The Women Entrepreneur programme: a focus on supporting women in business

The continued payments to beneficiaries of the 2024 edition of the Women Entrepreneur scheme confirm the importance the authorities attach to supporting women entrepreneurs in Romania. The scheme aims to reduce the gender gap and creates the conditions for sustainable women-led businesses in a variety of sectors, from agriculture and industry to IT services and trade.

Women entrepreneurs must submit a well-structured business plan when applying, and may receive financial support in the form of non-refundable grants, as well as assistance in developing their entrepreneurial skills. Access to such funds can turn innovative ideas into scalable businesses and can help a still under-represented segment become an important driver of local economic growth.

Beneficiaries and access conditions: preparing your file and the key criteria

For all of these programmes – SME Eco-Tech, Start-Up Nation and Women Entrepreneur – it is essential that potential beneficiaries are well informed about the eligibility criteria. As a rule, applicants must be legally established companies with sound financial statements, registered in Romania, with concrete and feasible projects. For the SME Eco-Tech programme, the emphasis is on technological investments with a positive ecological impact.

Typical documentation includes an application file, a business plan, detailed budgets, tax declarations, and evidence of the managerial and technical capacity to carry out the project. Registration call windows with public calls lasting a few weeks are expected to open, and companies must pay close attention to the deadline and to full compliance with the required conditions in order to avoid rejection of the application.

What companies need to prepare and what to watch out for in 2026

Companies intending to access these funds in 2026 need to start preparing early, beginning with a detailed review of the funding guides and the identification of a specialist consultant or an internal department to manage the documentation. It is also recommended to carry out internal analyses to clearly identify technological needs and the target market segments.

Managing funded projects requires rigorous use of the funds, which means complying with the eligibility rules, justifying all costs with legal documents and implementing the investments in stages. For the SME Eco-Tech programme, monitoring the ecological impact will be an important component, while for Start-Up Nation and Women Entrepreneur, creating and maintaining jobs will be key evaluation criteria.

It is vital that companies actively gather information on the official platforms of the Ministry of Economy and adapt their projects to the strategic directions announced by the authorities, in order to maximise the chances of approval and the effectiveness of the funding. In addition, careful review of the contractual deadlines and conditions is indispensable for smooth implementation of the funding.

Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?

The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.

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