Unlock export markets with help from Local Enterprise Office Louth

The ‘Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ grant is available through Local Enterprise Office Louth to help micro enterprises in Ireland develop products and services that will unlock export markets.

This grant can cover up to 50% of qualifying expenditure, up to a maximum of €2,500 (excluding VAT) and is designed to help micro enterprises explore, develop and unlock new overseas markets for their products and services, within Europe and beyond.

The Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grant can help part-fund the costs of:

-        Attending international Trade Fairs and renting exhibition space to meet potential customers face-to-face.

-        Developing export-focused websites and marketing materials and the translation of these materials into foreign languages, to communicate directly with new target audiences overseas.

-        Investigating new ways and processes to develop export business, such as setting up a new business model or fulfilling non-regulatory technical requirements.

If you want unlock export markets….

Take the first steps by talking to the team here at your Local Enterprise Office.

You can contact LEO Louth by telephone on 042 933 5457 or by email to info@leo.louthcoco.ie.

Top Tip: Start researching the costs of your planned expenditure and getting written quotations as soon as possible. However, it’s important to remember that applications can only be submitted to your Local Enterprise Office before you incur any expenditure which are potentially “eligible costs”. A Quotation must be provided in respect of each item of planned expenditure in excess of €100.

Don’t forget…

The maximum Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grant is €2,500 (excluding VAT), up to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs. Micro enterprises cannot be approved a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporter’s Grant/s of more than a maximum cumulative value of €2,500 per calendar year.

Eligibility criteria and general conditions of the Financial Support Instruments apply.

The Local Enterprise Offices are co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.

Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grant

Grant terms, eligible projects and expenditure

Grant terms:

• The grant covers 50% of eligible costs (net of vat) to a maximum grant cumulative of €2,500 in any calendar year.
• Applications must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred.
• Payments will be made to approved projects on receipt of proof of payment of all qualifying and approved expenses.
• Successful applicants should consider using an Enterprise Ireland Mentor to develop an export/marketing plan.

 The enterprise must:

• not employ more than 10 people;
• be located within the geographic location of the Local Enterprise Office;
• operate in the commercial sphere;
• demonstrate a market for their proposed product/service;
• be engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded services;
• not have received any funding for this proposal from any other source. 

Eligible expenditure categories:

• Participation at trade fairs and shows covering Trade Show Exhibitor costs including rental/fees relating to space/stands; *
• Participation at international trade networking events organised through the Enterprise Europe Network;
• Development of specific Marketing Materials aimed at exploring new export markets;
• Translation, e.g. of existing material (booklets, webpages, etc) for export markets;
• Investigation of new internal or external processes to develop export business, e.g. new business model or the carrying out of non-regulatory technical requirements;

* Note: Travel & Subsistence Costs are only eligible for overseas trips:

• Eligible Travel Costs: Economy Air/Ferry or Rail Fares; Mileage (60c per kilometre) or Economy Car Hire (mileage cannot be claimed on Car Hire)
• Subsistence Rates: Overnight Rate – 24 hour period; €200 per day; Day rate < 24 hours €60