Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL)

The role of the MEL

The Métropole Européenne de Lille supports businesses with their setting-up, creation, growth, innovation and turnaround projects. Depending on the scheme, support can take the form of a repayable advance, a grant, a loan or, in some cases, an equity investment or a shareholding. Applications are assessed on a project-by-project basis; funding is not automatic.

Who is this guide for?

This guide covers the 10 grants linked to the MEL (funder ID 846) in the Capital OS reference database. The master conditions are a working basis: the scheme's official page, the applicable rules and confirmation from the operator always take precedence. Some honour loans are implemented by partners, not directly by MEL departments.

Financing an industrial or productive project

The industrial seed-funding and development schemes target significant productive investment and can cover equipment, the fit-out work needed to install it, and certain intangible investments. The MEL website announces up to €200,000 for seed funding for small businesses and up to €250,000 for the development of industrial SMEs; these published caps are subject to the scheme's criteria and the assessment of the application.

Renovating a building or investing in renewable heating

The sustainable building grant covers renovation work and environmental or energy performance, with a prior assessment and quotes. The territorial Renewable Heat Contract covers renewable heating projects. The rates depend on the expenditure, the scale and how it interacts with ADEME schemes; the eligible items must be confirmed before ordering the work.

Setting up, innovation and consolidation

The MEL also provides solutions for setting-up projects that create jobs, innovation projects and businesses that need to implement a turnaround plan. Financial consolidation requires a credible project and co-financing from the banking pool, shareholders or investors depending on the applicable rules. Contact the economic department to check the right scheme.

Seed-funding grant for industrial, productive or industry-service small businesses

The reference framework states a seed-funding grant in the form of a repayable advance or a subsidy, depending on the project, for a small business less than one year old with an investment programme of at least €150,000 excl. tax over three years. The MEL announces a cap that can reach €200,000.

Territorial Renewable Heat Contract (CCRt)

Technical and financial support for renewable heating projects: geothermal, biomass, solar thermal and heat recovery. The catalogue cites engineering, studies and investments. Confirm the rates and eligible expenditure with the MEL and ADEME.

Sustainable building grant

The reference framework states a grant of a maximum of 40%, between €10,000 and €200,000, for eligible environmental or energy renovation investment. It requires a recent assessment and quotes; check the exclusions, notably construction/acquisition and connections.

Development grant for industrial, productive SMEs and industry-dedicated services

The scheme targets productive SMEs or services directly dedicated to industry. The catalogue mentions a minimum investment of €150,000 excl. tax over three years and support in the form of a repayable advance or a subsidy. The MEL announces a cap that can reach €250,000.

Development grant for large businesses

The reference framework targets development projects of large businesses involving significant investment and/or job creation. The MEL states that support can take the form of a repayable advance, a subsidy or a shareholding, depending on the application.

Setting-up grant

Support for setting-up projects that create jobs within the metropolitan territory. The expenditure potentially covered in the reference framework includes productive investment, fit-out work, intangible investment and certain development-related costs. The project must be discussed with the economic department beforehand.

Innovation grant

The reference framework mentions support via a repayable advance for productive or intangible expenditure linked to an innovation project. The precise criteria, the maximum business size and the eligible expenditure must be confirmed under the intervention framework in force.

Financial consolidation grant (COFI)

A loan intended to support a business facing temporary difficulties and pursuing a turnaround strategy aimed at preserving jobs. The MEL states criteria on size, track record and financial position, as well as mandatory co-financing.

HODEFI honour loan

The reference framework describes a personal loan with no interest or guarantee, of €20,000 to €50,000, for innovative businesses being created or less than one year old, with support. HODEFI is the operator mentioned; the conditions must be confirmed directly with it.

Initiative Flandre Intérieure honour loan

The reference framework states a personal honour loan with no interest or guarantee, generally from €5,000 to €30,000, for business creation or takeover. Check the association's geographic coverage, the updated amount and the criteria with the local operator.

Steps to prepare an application

1. Precisely define the project, the investments, the timeline and the associated jobs. 2. Check that the business and its establishment are within the scheme's territorial scope. 3. Contact the MEL (serveco@lillemetropole.fr) or the operator indicated to confirm eligibility. 4. Prepare the quotes, the financing plan, the accounts, the projections and the technical file. 5. Submit the application before committing to expenditure when the rules require it. 6. Check the combination rules and the monitoring obligations.

Documents and criteria to check

The documents vary by scheme, but may include: a registration extract, annual accounts, tax and social status, a business plan, quotes, a multi-year investment programme, a hiring timeline, an energy or environmental assessment, proof of co-financing and a cash-flow plan. Do not consider this list exhaustive: request the applicable official application file.

Does the MEL fund every business that submits an application?

No. The grants are conditional and projects are assessed against the scheme's economic, financial, strategic, social and environmental criteria. Submitting an application does not guarantee a favourable decision.

Is a repayable advance a grant?

No. A repayable advance must be repaid according to the agreed terms. It can improve the financing plan, but its repayment schedule and any suspensive conditions must be factored into cash flow.

Can several grants be combined?

It depends on the rules, the expenditure funded, the public aid caps and the combination rules. Have the structure confirmed by the funders before any commitment.

Who should I contact to check my eligibility?

The MEL's business contact is serveco@lillemetropole.fr. For the HODEFI loan or the Initiative loan, also contact the relevant operator to check its scope and assessment process.

Check my eligibility for grants

Capital OS can help identify schemes to look into and structure the initial checks. The final decision depends on the criteria and rules in force, the relevant operator and the assessment of each application.

Verification status

Good level of partial check: the 10 lines in the master list are identified and several main schemes are confirmed on the official MEL pages. The CCRt, the innovation grant and the HODEFI/Initiative loans require an operational check of the current rules and the operator before being published as open schemes.