BAFA

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) supports you as a small or medium-sized enterprise in the commercial sector, or as a freelancer, if you want to engage external consulting.

The federal programme “Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU” (promotion of management consulting for SMEs) aims to strengthen the prospects of success, the performance and competitiveness, and the employment and adaptability of small and medium-sized enterprises. To achieve this, companies can seek advice from qualified consultants on all economic, financial, personnel and organisational questions of business management. The resulting costs are reduced by a non-repayable grant from the funding programme.

The maximum eligible consulting costs are 2,800 euros.

Eligible topics cover all economic, financial, personnel and organisational questions of business management.

General and specific consulting topics can include:

• Adjustments to the business model,
• Cost savings,
• Dealing with declining revenue,
• Dealing with liquidity problems,
• Changes to the product portfolio,
• Investment planning,
• Optimising processes and organisation,
• Quality management,
• Support with introducing new systems, for example IT systems,
• Sustainability and environmental protection,
• Securing and retaining skilled workers,
• Age-appropriate work design,
• Equality and better work-life balance,
• Designing work for employees with disabilities,
• Better workplace integration of employees with a migration background.

Eligible applicants are micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the commercial sector as well as freelancers with a business operation or branch in the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Consulting sessions should be based on a thorough analysis of the company’s situation, with identified weaknesses clearly worked out and precise recommendations for action given.
• Funding covers individual consulting only. Seminars, workshops and other group formats are excluded.
• Consulting must be carried out by independent consultants or consulting firms with the necessary qualifications.
• Consultants must be able to prove their competence through recognised quality certificates or a documented quality manual.
• Proper business management must be in place, ensuring compliance with the guidelines during the consulting process.

Depending on the region, the grant covers up to 80 per cent of eligible costs.

The maximum eligible consulting costs are EUR 2,800.

Each company can submit a maximum of 5 funding applications by 31 December 2026, but no more than 2 per year. The de-minimis ceilings must be observed.

As we meet all the requirements for consultants, we will gladly support you in applying for your BAFA consulting grant.

With our full-service approach we are at your side from application intake through to project completion.