Grand Est Social Innovation in Rural Areas
Regional aid of up to €50,000 and 50% of costs for a socially innovative project in a rural area of Grand Est, led by an eligible very small business/SME or social and solidarity economy organisation. Declarations of intent on a rolling basis; full application by invitation only.
Grand Est Innovation Sociale en Ruralité supports the development of socially innovative activities or services meeting an insufficiently covered need in rural areas. The Region announces up to €50,000, within the limit of 50% of costs, for the first two years of start-up. Since 1 September 2026, the process starts with a declaration of intent; the full application is submitted only by invitation after this first step has been reviewed.
Funded by Région Grand Est
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Who can apply
Very small businesses or SMEs, associations, cooperative companies (SCOP/SCIC) or non-cooperative social and solidarity economy businesses: registered in the national business register (RNE) or the register of associations; with an establishment registered in Grand Est; with a viable business model.
Eligibility conditions
Very small businesses/SMEs, associations, SCOP/SCIC or social and solidarity economy businesses registered and established in Grand Est, with a viable business model. The project must be developed in a rural area as defined by the INSEE classification, meet an unmet or poorly met need and combine general interest and social innovation.
What the scheme covers
Projects: developed in a rural area (municipalities with density levels 3, 5, 6 and 7 according to the INSEE classification); with a general-interest approach meeting an unmet or poorly met local need; with a new service or activity combining economic development and social innovation; with an approach encouraging cooperation between partners and participation; technically and financially realistic in the medium and long term. Eligible costs: salary costs for creating a dedicated full-time project manager post (permanent or fixed-term contract, excluding subsidised and work-study contracts); an additional study on environmental impacts by an external provider; communication services needed to promote the project (eco-designed or reusable); equipment and/or production equipment needed to develop the project; new equipment or second-hand equipment refurbished as new with at least a one-year guarantee.
Amount and funding terms
The Region announces aid of up to €50,000, representing at most 50% of the costs taken into account, paid in one instalment to cover two years of start-up and not renewable. The final amount depends on eligibility and the review.
How to apply
1. Identify the funding need and check that the project matches the purpose of the scheme. 2. Contact the operator or banking partner to confirm eligibility and the current status. 3. Obtain the official fiche, the rules and the list of supporting documents. 4. Prepare the financing plan and the business’s documents. 5. Do not commit costs or sign a contract before confirming the applicable rules.
Timeline
The scheme opened on 1 September 2026. The declaration of intent can be submitted on a rolling basis with no deadline; if it is admissible, the full application is requested by invitation and must be submitted within four months.
Key facts
- Funder
- Région Grand Est
- Type of funding
- Grant
- Status
- Ongoing
- Maximum amount
- €50,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Minimum amount
- €5,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Funding rate
- 50%
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Geographic scope
- Grand Est
Frequently asked questions
What amount can be obtained?
Up to €50,000, within the limit of 50% of the costs taken into account, for two years of start-up; the aid is announced as non-renewable.
Which organisations can apply?
Certain very small businesses/SMEs, associations, SCOP/SCIC and social and solidarity economy businesses registered and established in Grand Est, subject to the detailed criteria.
How do I apply?
First submit a declaration of intent on a rolling basis. The full application is submitted only by invitation after this declaration has been reviewed.
How do I check that the project is rural?
Check that the municipality falls within the INSEE density classes mentioned in the regional rules and document the local need the project addresses.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
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