INTERREG - Cultivating connections and partnerships in border regions.

B Light 2 - Fostering cross-border business cooperation of SMEs operating on different sides of the Hungary-Croatia border

B Light 2 – Fostering cross-border business cooperation of SMEs operating on different sides of the Hungary-Croatia border is a strategic pilot project that finances the cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Hungary-Croatia border region within the framework of the Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia Programme 2021-2027, as a continuation of the strategic B Light project from the previous financial perspective.

The overall objective of the B Light 2 project is to improve the competitiveness of SMEs in the border area between Croatia and Hungary by promoting the development and expansion of advanced capacities for product and service innovation, enabling them to compete more effectively in both local and international markets.

Specific objectives that will be pursued are:

• • Increasing awareness among SMEs in the border region about the role of internationalization as a key driver of innovation.
  • Establishing operational connections between SMEs on both sides of the border to foster collaborative relationships.
  • Supporting collaborative development initiatives among SMEs, aimed at fostering innovation.
  • Offering technical assistance to SMEs in project development and helping them navigate the complexities of cross-border cooperation.
  • Raising awareness of the significance of cross-border economic cooperation and its role in strengthening the regional economy.
  • Boosting the number of joint SME business collaborations in the border region, particularly in rural areas with low economic performance.
  • Promoting cross-border trade among SMEs by providing direct support to economic entities.
  • Encouraging innovation in the region by supporting cross-border innovation cooperation projects among SMEs.

The minimum form of cooperation in Light projects eligible for SME support includes:

• • business cooperation between SMEs in the development of business models based on the creation of products and services with added value,
  • joint innovation between SMEs and R&D

Support will be provided through a grant scheme with mandatory cross-border cooperation.

Each Light Project must consist of at least two (2) Light beneficiaries: one from Croatia and one from Hungary within the programme area.

Co-financing rate

The maximum share of the total EU eligible costs that can be covered by the B Light2 project is 80% of the total eligible expenditure and can be requested as a grant. The rest shall be covered as own contribution of Light Partner themself.

Each Light Partner should provide a minimum of 20% of the total eligible expenditure as its own contribution. Own resources can be composed of any kind of financial resources (e.g. money in the bank account, a bank loan, other donors) with the exception of grants requested from the European Union or from National co-financing resources.

1st call – OPEN

The indicative allocation for the 1st Call for Light Project Proposals is EUR 3.751.050,94 (EU contribution).

The call for submission of Light Project Proposals is open from 24 September 2026 until 23 November 2026.

Find out more about the 1st Call for Entrepreneurs in the B Light 2 project video:

Minimum and maximum size of Light Projects in the 1st Call for Light Project Proposals:

The total value of EU contribution in the Light Project cannot exceed 300.000 EUR regardless of the number of Light Partners.

Value added tax (VAT) is not eligible expenditure

• if the total cost of the project (including VAT) is at least EUR 5.000.000 and it is recoverable under national VAT legislation,
• in case the total budget of the project (including VAT) is below EUR 5.000.000 if it is recoverable under national legislation and is not eligible based on national legislation/rules;
• If it is VAT of a State aid relevant activity, based on Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) 651/2014

Selection

Light Projects are selected through a one-step call for applications; this applies to the current call and all future selection rounds.

Light Project Proposal is prepared jointly by the cooperating Light Partners (SMEs or SMEs and R&D organisations). Required language of LPA is English.

For additional information please refer to the project documents and contact your county support organization.

Project partners are:

Lead partner:       

1. 1. Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO)

Territorial partners:

1. 2. ZMVA – Zala County Foundation for Enterprise Promotion (HU)
   3. SASD – Social Ascension of Somogy Development, Communication and Education Nonprofit Ltd. (HU)
   4. BVFU NKft. – Development Agency of Baranya County (HU)
   5. REDEA – Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA (HR)
   6. PORA Regional development agency of Koprivnica Križevci County (HR)
   7. BIVPC – Business Incubator of Virovitica Podravina County (HR)
   8. CFE – Centre for Entrepreneurship Osijek (HR)

Project duration: 44 months (1.8.2025. – 31.3.2029.)

Total project value is EUR 10.787.875, of which EU funds are EUR 8.630.300.

The amount of EU funds available for SME-s is EUR 7.502.101,86 (total value EUR 9.377.627,33 EUR).