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STEP

Regione Puglia, the regional government, has created a set of investment incentive schemes that offer generous funding for investors, making Puglia one of the best places to start, finance and expand a business in Europe.

STEP is one of the regional incentive schemes, operating on an open-window for applications basis, starting from 05/08/2025, which is managed by the regional finance agency Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A., designated by Regione Puglia as the Intermediary Organism.

STEP

(Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform)

(Regional Programme 2021 2027 – RP Puglia ERDF ESF+ 2021-2027)

With resources of over €471.5 million, the Puglia Region has launched the STEP Call. The initiative stems from the region's membership in the Platform for Strategic Technologies for Europe (hence the acronym STEP), established by the European Commission with Regulation (EU) 2024/795 . The Platform aims to support the competitiveness and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European Union through investments in so-called "critical" technologies.

For technologies to be considered “critical”, they must provide the internal market with an innovative element with significant potential or contribute to reducing or preventing the Union's strategic dependencies in the areas of digital and deep learning technologies. tech ” (i.e. innovations that offer transformative solutions); biotechnologies; clean technologies tech (i.e. clean and resource-efficient).

The regional notice is aimed at incentivizing the development or manufacturing of "critical" technologies.

The beneficiaries of the measure are large companies, SMEs, micro-enterprises, technology startups, and innovative companies. They may submit projects ranging in value from a minimum of € 3 million for large companies and €1 million for SMEs, technology startups , and innovative companies, up to a maximum of €110 million for investments, €10 million for research and development, and €4 million for training for large companies. The thresholds vary depending on the company size and type of investment.

An essential condition is that the investment headquarters be located or to be located in the Puglia region.

Financing may be granted for production investments related to industrial research and experimental development projects; production investments to be made following R&D activities already completed and certifiable; production investments with R&D activities aimed at significantly improving the state of the art of the industrial investment to which they are related; and production investments in line with the strategic objectives of the STEP Regulation.

These proposals can be associated with training programs aimed at consolidating and strengthening the competitiveness of the regional economic system, auxiliary services and consultancy, if they form an integral part of the investment cost of a STEP program.

The incentive is a non-repayable grant, varying from 25% to 80% depending on the type of investment, the size of the companies and the bonuses. attributed .

The measure uses funds from the Puglia Regional Programme ERDF ESF+ 2021-2027 and will be managed by Puglia Sviluppo as an intermediate body.

The tool is active from August 5th 2025. The multi-year measure is operational without expiration.

Applications must be submitted exclusively electronically through the online procedure "STEP Program", on a dedicated platform, available at the link

https://smart.sistema.regione.puglia.it. starting from the date indicated in the Notice Approval Resolution.

At the time of submitting the application, a practice code is assigned together with the CUP which must be reported on all expenditure receipts and from which date the investment can be started.

The proposal is being evaluated by Puglia Sviluppo SpA

Below: the Determination and the Notice, the summary sheet and links for further information.

For further information and to download attachments:

For further information:


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