The ADER (Association of Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs) launches a 5,75 million euro aid package to boost innovation, internationalization, and trade in La Rioja.

 

With a total budget of €5,75 million for the 2025 period, these grants aim to promote innovation projects, trade promotion, and the international expansion of Riojan companies.

 

The grants, presented today, Monday, by the Minister of Economy, Innovation, Business, and Self-Employment, Belinda León, and the manager of ADER, Luis Pérez Echeguren, are part of the 2025 Strategic Subsidy Plan (PES) and are part of the agency's advanced services unit.

 

During the presentation, Councilor León emphasized the regional government's commitment to the business sector: "Supporting Riojan businesses is one of this government's commitments."He said. "With these lines of support, we want to facilitate their path toward new production, distribution, and consumption models; contribute to making them more competitive and sustainable, and their products more exportable; highlighting their added value, their innovation, and their potential to compete in the global market.", León highlighted.

 

Focus on Internationalization and Innovation

 

One of the key lines of funding is the Strategic Foreign Trade Program (SFP), initially endowed with €2 million, which can be increased by another €1 million depending on demand. This program significantly increases the subsidy percentage, from 35% to 50%. According to the Minister, this improvement seeks to: "to alleviate the complicated situation that companies are facing in their international expansion, following the announcement by the United States government of raising tariffs"Eligible activities include attending trade fairs, registering trademarks abroad, and trade missions. The recruitment of qualified personnel for export will continue to be supported through the Talent Check (CHT), a separate line of funding.

 

In the area of ​​innovation, ADER is allocating €1,8 million through three types of checks with grants of up to 70%:

 

• Assistance Check (CHA): It subsidizes consulting and expert external assistance expenses (50% or 60%), incorporating, as a new feature, support for cybersecurity certifications.
• Check Europe (CHE): It covers 100% (with limits) of the consultancy to prepare and manage R&D&I projects in international programs.
• Check Digitalization (CHD): It supports investments in digitalization, strengthening cybersecurity this year with grants of up to 70% for advanced solutions in this field, including the renewal or acquisition of basic ICT equipment.

 

Support for Local Business

 

The package is completed by two specific lines for the commercial sector:

• Promotion of the Commercial Sector (COC): Aid aimed at the specific promotion of this sector.
• Commercial Dynamization (DIN): Grants aimed at revitalizing commercial areas.

 

Application Deadlines

 

Interested companies may apply for PEC (Foreign Trade), COC (Trade Promotion), CHA (Assistance), CHD (Digitalization), and CHE (Europe) grants until 14:00 p.m. on December 12, 2025. The deadline for Commercial Promotion (DIN) grants will end earlier, on June 30, 2025, at 14:00 p.m.

 

With these new calls for proposals, the Government of La Rioja reaffirms its commitment to an economic model based on competitiveness, innovation, and openness to foreign markets as pillars for the region's sustainable growth.