Yes, employee engagement, retention, and savings on turnover costs don’t happen on their own. Strategic investment is required to reap the benefits in the medium and long term. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to future-proof your business in economically challenging times.

Small and medium-sized enterprises do not have to tackle these investments on their own. Various support programs assist with structural, organizational, and strategic challenges—particularly in the context of digitalization, securing a skilled workforce, and organizational development.

We have compiled a list of the most important grant programs for Austria here; you can find the German grant programs here.

SMEs Go Digital

Through the "KMU digital" initiative, both consulting services and implementation are supported throughout Austria.

Consulting

In the area of human resources and corporate culture, consulting services primarily focus on “business models and processes” and “digital administration.”

An analysis of current status and potential is subsidized at 80% (up to €400). If, for example, the consultant uses PERSENTIS Analytics as part of the status and potential analysis, you can save 80% (up to €400) of the €2,600 fee (price for up to 100 employees), meaning you save the full €400.

Strategy consulting services are subsidized at 50% (up to €1,000) and may address the following topics:

  • New Work & Home Office: Developing concepts for hybrid work.
  • Change Management: Supporting the workforce during the implementation of new digital systems.
  • Skills Development: Developing a plan outlining the digital skills your employees will need in the future.
  • Employer Branding: Digital Strategies for Attracting New Talent

Both potential analysis and strategic consulting must be conducted by a certified expert. Once both have been completed, funding may also be provided for implementation measures based on these findings.

Implementation

The implementation grant covers 30% of the costs (up to €6,000) for projects with a budget between €3,000 and €30,000.

The following investments are eligible for funding in the areas of human resources and culture:

  • Collaboration tools: Implementation of software for teamwork, communication, and knowledge management (e.g., intranets, cloud solutions) that transform collaboration.
  • HR software: Digital management of personnel files, recruiting systems, or employee feedback tools.
  • Digital learning platforms: Investments in systems for internal professional development (e-learning).

For example, when submitting PERSENTIS Boarding as part of an implementation project (min. €3,000; building on the consulting), you can save 30%. For a total project cost of €3,000, that would amount to a savings of €900.

Learn more about SMEs Go Digital or from a certified expert Markus Kaar .

Service: Attractive Employers

This grant is available to companies headquartered in Upper Austria or with locations there, and is designed to enhance their employer brand. It also provides funding for consulting services from experts in a certified pool of consultants.

The main areas of focus are:

  • Corporate Culture: Values, Communication, and Recognition Within the Team.
  • Leadership: Developing leadership skills and modern management practices.
  • Employee Recruitment & Retention: Employer Branding, Recruitment Strategies, and Onboarding Processes.
  • Benefits & Health: Development of attractive employee benefits and workplace health management (WHM).
  • Generational Management: Collaboration Between Young and Old (e.g., Integrating Gen Z).

The funding covers up to two-thirds of the consulting costs (capped at €1,500). Therefore, if one of our management tools is billed as part of the consulting costs, two-thirds of those costs—up to a maximum of €1,500—are eligible for funding.

Learn more about Service: Attractive Employers or contact a certified consultant: Markus Kaar

As you can see, there are valuable funding opportunities available in Austria to help you future-proof your business. Investing in human resources and organizational development is therefore not only worthwhile in terms of minimizing turnover costs and increasing productivity and employee retention, but is also currently eligible for financial support.

All information is provided without guarantee—please check the current eligibility requirements directly with the funding agencies.