Innovation Vouchers for SMEs (Inovacijski vaučeri za MSP-ove)
Offers Croatian small businesses vouchers to access external innovation experts for testing demonstration and technical service support.
The Innovation Vouchers for SMEs 2026 (call code PK.1.1.06) is a Croatian state-aid program funded through the European Regional Development Fund under OPCC 2021–2027, with a total call envelope of EUR 4,874,214. The Ministry of Economy (MINGO) holds funder-of-record status and can be contacted at inovacijski.vauceri@mingo.hr; HAMAG-BICRO implements the call and manages the eKohezija submission portal. The program funds Croatian micro, small, and medium enterprises to purchase sharply scoped external technical innovation services from qualified service providers, rather than funding internal R&D projects directly.
Eligible activities fall into three defined categories: testing and inspection of innovative products, services, or processes; demonstration of the functionality of innovative solutions; and transfer of technical or specialized knowledge for product or service development. Per-project awards range from EUR 2,000 (minimum) to EUR 10,000 (maximum). Projects are short-duration expert-engagement contracts, not multi-year development programs. The call is open until 2026-12-31 through the eKohezija platform at europski-fondovi.eu.
SMEs that lack in-house laboratory, testing, or specialized technical capacity are the primary target beneficiaries. The voucher structure means companies identify a specific external expert or research institution to perform a defined service, then apply for the voucher to cover that cost. Applicants should document the precise innovation service needed, identify the service provider, and prepare a cost estimate before submitting. Because the total envelope is EUR 4,874,214 across what is expected to be a high volume of small awards, early application within the 2026 calendar year is advisable to avoid budget exhaustion before the formal year-end deadline.
External expert services for testing and inspection of innovative products, demonstration of innovative solutions, and transfer of technical or specialized knowledge, for Croatian SMEs under call PK.1.1.06 with a total ERDF envelope of EUR 4,874,214.
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