Regional Participation Fund for SME Competitiveness (FPR)
The Development and Investment Bank (BID), as administrator of the FPR, facilitates access to financing for SMEs and supports investments in the North-East, South-East, and Bucharest-Ilfov regions through a new financial instrument consisting of a low-interest loan combined with a grant (40% capital rebate granted upon completion of the investment within a predefined period).
The financial instrument is provided to final beneficiaries (SMEs) through financial intermediaries selected by BID.
The instrument is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (Cohesion Policy 2021–2027), within the North-East (PR NE), South-East (PR SE), and Bucharest-Ilfov (PR BI) Regional Programs.
- Loans for investments in tangible and intangible assets (excluding refinancing)
- Maximum maturity: 84 months
- Maximum eligible amount: equivalent in RON of EUR 5 million per project/beneficiary
- Currency: RON.
Eligibility period: The instrument will be available until 31 December 2029, with the possibility of extension for a new programming period, in accordance with European regulations
SMEs whose investments are carried out in the North-East, South-East, or Bucharest-Ilfov regions:
- Fall within the EU definition (Commission Recommendation 2003/361 – Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 651/2014)
- Are active on the Romanian market
- Are not subject to insolvency proceedings and comply with Romanian legislation in the field
- Are not firms in difficulty
- Meet the criteria for de minimis aid eligibility at the time of financing
- Fulfil customer due diligence requirements set out in the internal regulations of financial intermediaries
- Ensure communication and visibility measures in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, with exceptions established by Government Decision 873/2022
Exclusions:
SMEs active in the following sectors are not eligible:
- Fisheries and aquaculture (primary production, sales, processing)
- Export-related activities
- Agriculture (primary production, sales, processing)
- Steel sector, coal sector, and lignite sector
- Zero cost for 70% of the financing provided from European funds and the state budget
- 40% grant of eligible costs, which reimburses the EU and state budget component. The grant is granted upon completion of the investment as a principal reduction, provided the initially agreed deadline is respected
- Reduced collateral requirements
*If the project is not completed within the initially assumed deadline, the final beneficiary receives only the interest rate reduction, subject to project completion by 30 September 2029.
- Loans for investments in tangible and intangible assets (excluding refinancing)
- Maximum maturity: 84 months
- Maximum eligible amount: equivalent in RON of EUR 5 million per project/beneficiary
- Currency: RON.
Eligibility period: The instrument will be available until 31 December 2029, with the possibility of extension for a new programming period, in accordance with European regulations
SMEs whose investments are carried out in the North-East, South-East, or Bucharest-Ilfov regions:
- Fall within the EU definition (Commission Recommendation 2003/361 – Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 651/2014)
- Are active on the Romanian market
- Are not subject to insolvency proceedings and comply with Romanian legislation in the field
- Are not firms in difficulty
- Meet the criteria for de minimis aid eligibility at the time of financing
- Fulfil customer due diligence requirements set out in the internal regulations of financial intermediaries
- Ensure communication and visibility measures in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, with exceptions established by Government Decision 873/2022
Exclusions:
SMEs active in the following sectors are not eligible:
- Fisheries and aquaculture (primary production, sales, processing)
- Export-related activities
- Agriculture (primary production, sales, processing)
- Steel sector, coal sector, and lignite sector
- Zero cost for 70% of the financing provided from European funds and the state budget
- 40% grant of eligible costs, which reimburses the EU and state budget component. The grant is granted upon completion of the investment as a principal reduction, provided the initially agreed deadline is respected
- Reduced collateral requirements
*If the project is not completed within the initially assumed deadline, the final beneficiary receives only the interest rate reduction, subject to project completion by 30 September 2029.
Interested SMEs will be able to apply for FPR financing through financial intermediaries that express interest and are selected by BID in the first part of 2026, following a transparent, non-discriminatory, and objective procurement process.
For more information and details on the application process, please contact the BID team at office@bidromania.eu.
Following Competition Council Opinion No. 1938/RG/17.02.2026, the North-East, South-East, and Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Development Agencies approved on 18.02.2026 the State Aid Scheme “Productive Investments for SMEs financed through Financial Instruments,” funded under the North-East, South-East, and Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Programs (FPR), within Policy Objective 1: “A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity,” Specific Objective ERDF 1.3: “Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including through productive investments.”
The State Aid Scheme is published on the BID website under the State Aid section, as well as on the ADR websites:
Transparency and visual identity requirements for EU-funded projects
