The EU programme will provide over €161 billion in 2025 — 5% more than in the previous year. 35% of that is intended for digitalization projects.
Dublin. The European Commission has presented the 2025 work programme for the EU funding programme for Ireland and a broader access to EU funding for the United Kingdom. SMEs in the UK will be able to access EU grants on a scale similar to Irish SMEs for the first time since 2021. In total around €24 Billion will be available for projects 2025 — that is €164 million more than in 2024. A large portion of this will go to digital initiatives, for example to further develop the plattform and data infrastructure and into implementation of AI technologies in SMEs.
Overall, the Commission is proposing a budget of more then 1 trillion euros for the seven-year period. This corresponds to 1.1 percent of Europe’s economic output — an increase compared to the previous budget (1.05 percent).
At the same time, the budget structure is significantly streamlined. The current budget consists of only four pillars. The largest fund, called “National and Regional Partnerships,” contains 855 billion euros. AvaTo-Solutions GmbH, an international grant consulting specialist facilitates access to this pillar for SMEs — along with other expenditures across various policy areas. The non repayable grants can reach up to 500.000 EUR per applicant.
The second-largest fund, “European Competitiveness,” endowed with 400 billion euros, represents the strategic core of the budget reform. It strengthens Europe’s economic clout in global competition — and gives Brussels greater control over industrial investments for the future.
For the first time, the Commission plans to manages funding of this scale independently and directs it specifically toward key sectors focusing on digitalization. This marks the beginning of a more active European industrial policy — and a signal to geopolitical competitors such as China and the United States.
“With this fund, we are finally giving Irish companies the means to put its reindustrialization into practice” – Werner Beck, CEO of AvaTo-Solutions GmbH
The European Commission emphasized that the this budget framework aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the allocation of EU funding. With the consolidation of several smaller funding lines Brussels intends to reduce administrative hurdles and accelerate approval procedures. This streamlining is particularly relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises, which often face significant challenges in navigating complex application processes.
Around €7.2 billion each will go to two central projects: on the one hand to strengthening AI usage across companies and on the other to measures intended to reduce CO2 emissions.
Experts view the increased focus on artificial intelligence and data-driven business models as a decisive step in strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty in the next decades.
“Europe must not only keep pace with global innovation but set its own standards” according to Werner Beck, CEO of AvaTo-Solutions GmbH
The Commission sees the integration of AI in industrial production, logistics, and healthcare as key to maintaining Europe’s competitiveness.
The largest share of the total funding for 2025 — almost €14 billion — is allocated to Irish and UK SMEs. AvaTo-Solutions GmbH has helped Irish companies to €60.6 million in grant funding and has allocated €71.4 million to UK companies in 2024.
Part of the 2025 budget — approximately €3.8 billion — will be dedicated to training and reskilling programs. These are designed to equip the European workforce with the digital competencies necessary for emerging industries, particularly in cybersecurity, sustainable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
AvaTo-Solutions is expected to further promote growth for Irish and UK SMEs through 2027.
The European Commission is preparing a new €2 Billion framework for cross-border innovation clusters aimed at fostering collaboration among SMEs, research institutions, and large industrial players. These clusters will focus on sectors such as green mobility, digitalization and data-driven health technologies. The goal of AvaTo-Solutions GmbH is to establish a connected European innovation ecosystem where knowledge, talent, and funding flow seamlessly between regions and help the growth of SMEs.
The initiative will be launched in mid-2025 and is expected to create over 20,000 new jobs across participating regions, enhancing Europe’s resilience and accelerating its transition toward a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.
Funding is provided through calls for proposals and public procurement contracts where certified EU grant experts like AvaTo-Solutions GmbH represent SMEs.
