Vidzemes region

Program description

The Valmiera State City / Municipality offers the ZĪLE support program, aimed at promoting the development and implementation of new products and innovations, strengthening existing businesses, and encouraging the creation of new enterprises in the Valmiera region.

Entrepreneurs and business idea authors can apply under two sub-programs – ZĪLE for Development and ZĪLE for Startups.

Who Can Apply

ZĪLE for Development:
For companies seeking to develop new products or implement innovative solutions.

ZĪLE for Startups:
Designed for startups and business idea authors to support the initiation and development of business activities.

Type of Support

Form of support – grant. The company must be registered in the Valmiera Municipality.

ZĪLE for Development:
Eligible activities include the development, testing, and implementation of any innovation or development activities within Valmiera Municipality.

ZĪLE for Startups:
Eligible activities include any actions or measures necessary to start or grow a business in Valmiera Municipality.

Support

ZĪLE for Development:
Available support ranges from EUR 2,000 to EUR 10,000, with an aid intensity between 60% and 80%.

ZĪLE for Startups:
Available support up to EUR 2,000, with an aid intensity of 80%.

Availability

Projects are implemented each year until November 30. The next call for applications is planned for February or early March.

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Program description

The Valmiera State City / Municipality offers the program Support for Business Development in Publicly Accessible Historically Significant Sites in Valmiera Municipality.

Program Objectives

• To promote business activities in historically significant sites in order to ensure their sustainable preservation and to restore or maintain the historical environment;
• To support innovation and creativity by using historically significant sites as platforms for business innovations;
• To support entrepreneurs who follow the principles of sustainable development and respect environmental and cultural values in historically significant locations.

Who Can Apply

Funding is available for publicly accessible historically significant sites where business activity is currently taking place or will be initiated as a result of the project. Eligible costs include architectural and artistic research, project design, construction work, or the restoration of traditional building craftsmanship elements.

Type of Support

Historically significant sites, for the purposes of this competition, are cultural monuments of national, regional, or local importance, as listed by the National Heritage Board of Latvia on its website: https://mantojums.lv/cultural-objects, as well as other sites with justified and applicant-described historical, scientific, artistic, or other cultural value.

Support

The total amount of municipal funding available for supported projects in 2025 is EUR 20,000.

The maximum grant per project is EUR 10,000.

The support intensity is 80% of eligible costs (under de minimis aid rules).

Availability

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Uzzini vairāk

Program description

The Valmiera State City / Municipality offers the program Business Support for Returning Migrants.

The goal of the competition is to promote the return (remigration) of Latvian residents and attract people to Valmiera Municipality who wish to return — or have recently returned - from living abroad to settle in the Valmiera region.

Who Can Apply

The competition provides funding for starting a business by returning migrants.
A returning migrant is a member of the Latvian diaspora who has returned or relocated from permanent residence abroad to permanent residence in Latvia — within Valmiera Municipality, where the project will be implemented.

The person must have lived abroad for at least two years. The return or relocation must have taken place no more than two years before establishing a workplace or founding a company.

Type of Support

Funding is provided in the form of a grant.

Support

The maximum grant amount per project is EUR 12,000.
For applicants who meet the requirements set out in the competition regulations, the support intensity is 50% of eligible costs.

Availability

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Program description

Smiltene Municipality offers the competition “Be an Entrepreneur in Smiltene Municipality!”

Who Can Apply

A legal or natural person who is registered as a business operator or who will register as a business operator or merchant upon project approval, and who meets the requirements set out in the competition regulations.

Type of Support

Co-funding is disbursed in two parts:

• 70% within ten (10) working days after signing the agreement with the Organizer;
• 30% within ten (10) working days after the beneficiary has submitted and the Organizer has approved the final expenditure report.

Support

Up to EUR 4,000, not exceeding 80% of the total eligible project costs.

Availability

The next competition will take place in May 2026.

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Program description

Smiltene Municipality offers the competition “Return to Smiltene Municipality!”

Who Can Apply

Returning migrants (remigrants), legal entities, or natural persons who plan to create jobs for returning migrants may apply.
Applicants must be registered as business operators or, upon project approval, must register as business operators or merchants, meet the requirements of the competition regulations, and submit a project application.

Type of Support

Both new and existing companies are eligible for support, provided their business activities take place within the territory of Smiltene Municipality.

A business operator registered with the State Revenue Service is considered a company.

Support

The maximum amount per project is up to EUR 12,000, not exceeding 50% of the total eligible project costs.

Co-funding for each project aimed at creating a new startup or job for a returning migrant consists of:

• State funding of up to EUR 8,000, not exceeding 33% of total project costs (under the Vidzeme Planning Region competition “Remigration Support Measure – Business Support”);
• Municipal co-funding of up to EUR 4,000, not exceeding 17% of total project costs.

Availability

Project submission period: We are currently inviting interested parties to express interest before the next call for proposals is announced.

Apply by phone: +371 22310430

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Program description

The Cēsis Municipality offers a Business Grant Competition.

Who Can Apply

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), except those operating in non-eligible sectors.

Type of Support

Grants for the development of new products or services.

Support 

Support covers 70% of eligible costs.

EUR 5,000 for new product development, plus an additional EUR 3,000 for projects meeting circular economy assessment criteria.

Availability

Applications are planned to open in the summer of 2026.

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Program description

The Cēsis Municipality offers Rent Payment Support.

Who Can Apply

Individuals or legal entities that have signed a non-residential premises lease agreement with the Municipality.

Type of Support

Reduced rental fee for premises.

Support 

Up to 50% reduction in rent.

Availability

Applications are open.

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Program description

The Gulbene Municipality offers the Grant Competition “Entrepreneurial in Gulbene Municipality”.

The goal of the competition is to promote business development in the Gulbene region by supporting the creation and growth of companies, encouraging the development of new products and services, and fostering the creation of new jobs.

Who Can Apply

The competition provides financial support to entrepreneurs and economic operators by co-financing business start-up and development projects in the Gulbene Municipality, with the aim of creating new jobs.

Type of Support

Eligible costs include:

• purchase of equipment and inventory;
• purchase of specific software;
• purchase of office equipment and training expenses, provided they do not exceed 20% of the project’s total eligible costs.

Support 

• EUR 2,000 for business ideas by self-employed individuals;
• EUR 5,000 for companies developing a new product or service;
• EUR 10,000 for companies expanding production with export potential.

Applicants must provide at least 20% co-financing of the project’s eligible costs.

Availability

Applications are open until 14 November 2025.

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Program description

The Limbaži Municipality offers the competition “Support for Starting a Business in Limbaži Municipality”, aimed at promoting the establishment of new entrepreneurs in the region.

Who Can Apply

Residents of Limbaži Municipality who wish to receive support for starting a new business in the municipality.

Type of Support

Type of support - grant.

Eligible Expenses:

• Purchase of new or used fixed assets;
• Purchase of inventory starting from EUR 50.00 (including VAT) per unit;
• Development of a website;
• Purchase of licenses;
• Purchase of specialized software;
• Specialized workforce training;
• Trademark registration;
• Renovation costs for leased premises (lease agreement must be valid for at least five years from the project application date);
• Patent registration with the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia;
• Other justified expenses.

Support 

Grant coverage: 90%, with at least 10% self-financing.

Maximum grant amount: EUR 5,000.

Availability

Applications are usually announced in spring, and the next application round is planned for spring 2026.

For information on the 2025 competition announcement and conditions, learn more here.

Program description

The Limbaži Municipality offers the competition “Business Support for Remigrants in Limbaži Municipality.”
The aim of the competition is to promote remigration to the Limbaži region by providing support for projects that result in the creation of new businesses and/or new jobs within the municipality.

Who Can Apply

Remigrants who have returned or relocated to live in Limbaži Municipality.
Within the competition framework, a remigrant may establish their own company, or an existing Limbaži-based company may create a job position for a remigrant.

Type of Support

Type of support - grant.

Eligible Expenses:

• Fixed assets;
• Salary-related expenses.

Support 

Grant coverage: 50%, with at least 50% self-financing.
Maximum grant amount: EUR 20,000.

Availability

Applications are usually announced in spring, and the next application round is planned for spring 2026.

For information on the 2025 competition announcement and conditions, learn more here.

Program description

The Limbaži Municipality offers the competition “Created in Limbaži Municipality.”

The aim of the competition is to inspire active participation among entrepreneurs in Limbaži Municipality and to encourage new business initiatives by granting full management rights of the marketing center “Created in Limbaži Municipality” for one year, with the possibility of extension up to three years based on the evaluation of the entrepreneur’s performance. The purpose is to promote and develop the activities of local producers.

Who Can Apply

Residents of Limbaži Municipality or legal entities registered in the municipality.
Within the competition, applicants compete for the opportunity to manage one of the “Created in Limbaži Municipality” marketing centers located in Limbaži or Salacgrīva, which promote and sell only products and services created in Limbaži Municipality.

Type of Support

Type of support - grant.

Eligible Expenses:

• Marketing expenses;
• Purchase or re-registration of licenses;
• Rent of premises, electricity costs, and other expenses related to the use of the premises, including utilities;
• Implementation costs of the “Created in Limbaži Municipality” brand (e.g., physical space design, promotional materials, etc.);
• Remuneration for employees of the “Created in Limbaži Municipality” marketing center – up to 50% of the nationally set minimum monthly gross wage;
• Other justified needs.

Support

Grant coverage: 50%, with 50% self-financing.

The total grant amount is not predefined – applicants must specify the required amount in their application.

Availability

Applications for the Salacgrīva and Limbaži marketing centers have closed.

The implementation period for the winning projects is three years.

The next application round is planned for the first half of 2027.

For information on the 2025 competition announcement and conditions, learn more here.

Program description

The Limbaži Municipality offers Real Estate Tax relief.

Who Can Apply

• Manufacturing companies;
• Hotels and catering service providers / individuals;
• Social enterprises with official social entrepreneurship status;
• Companies, organizations, associations, or foundations with public benefit organization status engaged in animal welfare or charity in Latvia;
• Companies engaged in the production of organic agricultural products within the territory of Limbaži Municipality.

Type of Support

Tax relief is granted upon submission and review of an application.

Support 

25–90% tax reduction.

Availability

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Program description

The Madona Municipality offers the business idea competition “Madona Can Do Better!”, aimed at promoting business development within the Madona region, encouraging job creation, reducing unemployment, and supporting the development of new products and services.

Who Can Apply

• Legal entities registered in the Register of Enterprises;
• Natural persons planning to start a business.

Economic activity must take place within the territory of Madona Municipality, and the company must qualify as an SME (small or medium-sized enterprise).

Type of Support

Type of support – co-financing.

Eligible Activities:

Activities related to starting and developing a business, investments in tangible and intangible fixed assets, construction and renovation, creation and installation of visual materials, obtaining licenses, registering patents, and other expenses directly connected to starting or developing business operations.

Monitoring Period: 3 years.

Support 

• 80% co-financing, up to EUR 6,000 (for businesses less than 12 months old);
• 90% co-financing, up to EUR 6,000 (for social enterprises less than 12 months old);
• 80% co-financing, up to EUR 2,000 (for businesses older than 12 months);
• 90% co-financing, up to EUR 2,000 (for social enterprises older than 12 months).

Support is granted under the de minimis aid regulation.

Availability

• In 2025, the application deadline is 31 October 2025, at 16:00;
• In 2026, four rounds are planned – at the end of March, May, August, and October.

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Program description

The Madona Municipality offers the grant competition “Strengthening Business Competitiveness, Growth, Research, and Innovation Capacity.”

The municipal co-financing is provided to support projects that enhance company competitiveness, growth, research, and innovation capacity.

Who Can Apply

Legal entities registered in the Register of Enterprises, conducting economic activity within the territory of Madona Municipality.

Type of Support

Type of support – co-financing.

Eligible Activities:
Marketing activities, printing and distribution of informational materials, development of visual identity, participation in fairs and industry exhibitions (including participation or sales fees, booth rental and setup costs, etc.), promotional campaigns for expanding market reach in Latvia, market and industrial research, prototype development, expert consultations, and other related activities.

Support

• 80% co-financing intensity;
• Maximum support amount: EUR 300.

Support is provided under the de minimis aid regulation.

Availability

In 2026, four application rounds are planned — at the end of March, May, August, and October.

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Program description

The Madona Municipality offers the grant competition “Implementation of Certification and Standards in Companies”, which supports the improvement of companies’ environmental and production processes and systems to ensure internal monitoring, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Who Can Apply

Legal entities registered in the Register of Enterprises, conducting economic activity within the territory of Madona Municipality.

Type of Support

Type of support – co-financing.

Eligible Activities:
Expenses related to the initial implementation of quality, environmental, occupational safety, fire safety, food safety, and energy management systems, including audit services and preparation of necessary documentation.

Support

• 50% co-financing intensity;
• Maximum support amount: EUR 1,000.

Support is provided under the de minimis aid regulation.

Availability

In 2026, four application rounds are planned — at the end of March, May, August, and October.

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Program description

The Madona Municipality offers Real Estate Tax (RET) relief.

Who Can Apply

Natural and legal persons conducting economic activity within the territory of Madona Municipality.

Type of Support

A reduced RET rate is applied if at least one of the criteria specified in the municipal regulations is met.

Support

Tax relief ranging from 50% to 90% for entities engaged in economic activity.

Support is provided under the de minimis aid regulation.

Availability

Applications must be submitted by 30 June of the current year.

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Program description

The Madona Municipality offers a rent fee reduction for non-residential premises within the municipality.

Who Can Apply

Natural or legal persons who have signed a lease agreement with the municipality for non-residential premises and use the leased property for economic activity.

Type of Support

A reduced rent fee for non-residential premises, granted upon confirmation that at least one of the criteria specified in the municipal regulations is met.

Support 

Rent fee reduction ranging from 10% to 100%.

Support is provided under the de minimis aid regulation.

Availability

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