Evaluation of the Business Development Grant and the Operating Environment Development Grant

During the years 2021–2027, Finland has made significant use of funding from the EU regional and structural policy programme period to support the growth of SMEs and the development of their operating environment. The key funding instruments have been the Business Development Grant and the Operating Environment Development Grant.

In the study to be carried out by MDI in 2026, the impact, effectiveness, and functionality of the Business Development Grant and the Operating Environment Development Grant will be evaluated. The study will also identify development needs and formulate recommendations to improve the impact, effectiveness, and functionality of these grants. The work is commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

The core method of the study is a statistical counterfactual impact analysis, in which companies that have received grants are compared with a control group of companies that are as similar as possible. The aim of the comparison analysis is to generate evidence on the impact of the development grants on business performance. In addition, the study will include data analyses, indicator analyses, interview research, company surveys, regional workshops, and case study reviews.

The final report of the study will be completed at the end of 2026.