Alcalá opens grants of up to 15,000 euros for SMEs, businesses, and freelancers

The Alcalá de Guadaíra City Council has published the regulatory bases for grants, under a competitive bidding process, for SMEs, businesses, and freelancers for investment projects aligned with the Integrated Action Plan (PAI) and the Local Integrated Development Strategy (EDIL). The text was approved by the Plenary in an ordinary session on October 20, 2026, is contained in file 14275/2026, and is published in full in the Official Gazette of the Province of Seville No. 218, of November 11, 2026 (Section I, Local Administration, page 5; reference BOP-SE-2026-218001).

The financial framework is the ERDF path obtained by the municipality. Through a Resolution of January 16, 2026, from the Directorate General of European Funds, issued under Order HAC/1072/2024, Alcalá was the beneficiary of a path of 11,948,905.00 euros, corresponding to a total public investment of 14,057,535.00 euros. The PAI is structured into three projects—AdG2030-Urban Transformation, AdG2030-Natural Transformation, and AdG2030-Inclusive Transformation—and it is within the third that this aid program for business activity is framed.

The grants will be non-repayable aid, subject to the de minimis regime of Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 (limit of 300,000 euros per company over three years), co-financed 85% by ERDF and 15% by the City Council. Its allocation is subject to the limit of 10% of the Plan’s budget earmarked for the revitalization of the local economy.

Up to 15,000 euros per beneficiary and three lines of action

The aid may cover up to 100% of the eligible investment, with a cumulative ceiling of 15,000.00 euros per person or entity, regardless of the number of lines requested. The minimum investment per project is set at 1,000.00 euros, excluding VAT. Three lines are established:

• Line 1. Digitalization and automation: e-commerce, marketplaces, management software (ERP, CRM), data analytics, artificial intelligence solutions applied to specific processes, cybersecurity, and technological equipment linked to the project.
• Line 2. Energy efficiency and renewables: LED lighting, consumption monitoring and control, efficient climate control, renewable self-consumption, thermal insulation, and efficient cold storage rooms.
• Line 3. Accessibility and premises improvement: removal of architectural barriers, renovation of sales and storage areas, shop windows and facades, furniture, and machinery for artisanal production.

Excluded, among others, are licenses and fees, financial and working capital expenses, real estate, renting, recurring operating expenses, video surveillance and alarms, and the mere subscription to general-purpose artificial intelligence tools.

Premises within the PAI scope and activity included in the annex of headings

Self-employed workers and SMEs—fewer than 250 people and 50 million in turnover—with the establishment or center of activity located within the intervention scope of the PAI, in census sections 01002, 01003, 02001, 03001, 03002, 03003, 04001, 04008, 04015, 04019 and 04029, or in adjacent urban axes subject to municipal transformation actions, may be beneficiaries. It is not required that the tax domicile be in the municipality, but the location of the premises must be accredited through a census status certificate or registration in the IAE and the title of use of the property.

The scale prioritizes establishments located in areas already intervened. The guidelines identify two actions that entitle the maximum score for location: the Remodeling of Calle Ntra. Sra. del Águila between Juan Abad and the Plaza de la Plazuela (CSV EX4FCTXN54JXX95NGLFFP9KNC) and the Sustainable remodeling of the urban landscape of Calle Malasmañanas (CSV 4LYRXWLJY7ZLTPEDD7MFTJ6XH). Sectors not covered by de minimis, such as primary agricultural and fishing production, and activities not permitted by the planning, are also excluded.

100-point scale and advances of 50% or 75%

Each application is valued on a scale of 100 points: up to 40 for the location of the premises, 35 for the size of the workforce (maximum for companies with 0 to 2 workers), and 25 for the investment amount. Ties are resolved by location, workforce, lower number of employees, investment, and, as a last resort, the order of entry into the registry. The processing corresponds to the Delegation of Economic Development and Industry and the valuation to a Valuation Commission chaired by the coordinator of the Urban and Economic Development Area, with the General Secretariat acting as secretary.

Applications shall be submitted only electronically through the municipal electronic office, within a period of one month from the day following the publication of the call summary in the BOP via the National Grants Database. The period for correction shall be ten business days, the maximum period to resolve shall be six months, and the justification period shall be two months from the end of execution. Advances of 50% of the aid are permitted and, if the premises obtain the 40 location points, 75%, which may be requested within ten business days from notification.

Effect on small businesses

The guidelines arrive while the call for applications is still awaiting the publication of its summary; therefore, the actual application period will not begin until that procedure is completed. For small businesses and the self-employed network of Alcalá de Guadaíra, these represent the first direct route of access to the European funds of the PAI, with modest amounts but full investment coverage and an advance of up to 75% of the money, which reduces the initial financing that the beneficiary must provide.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Seville, no. 218, November 11, 2026, section I (Local Administration), page 5 (official reference: BOP-SE-2026-218001).