Yes, employee engagement, retention, and reductions in turnover costs do not happen on their own. Strategic investments must be made to benefit in the medium and long term. In this blog article, we show how it is possible to lead your company into a secure future even in economically challenging times.

Small and medium-sized enterprises do not have to shoulder such investments alone. Various funding programs support them with structural, organizational, and strategic challenges – particularly in the context of digitalization, securing skilled workers, and organizational development.

We have put together the most important funding programs for Austria here for you; you can find the German funding programs here.

SME digital

"KMU digital" supports both consulting and implementation throughout Austria.

Consulting

In the area of employees and culture, consulting services primarily focus on "Business Models and Processes" as well as "Digital Administration".

A status and potential analysis is subsidized at 80% (max. €400). For example, if the consultant uses PERSENTIS Analytics as part of the status and potential analysis, you can save 80% (max. €400) on the €2,600 fee (price for up to 100 employees), which means the full €400 is saved.

Strategic consulting is subsidized at 50% (max. €1,000) and can address the following topics:

  • New Work & Home Office: Development of concepts for hybrid working.
  • Change Management: Supporting the workforce during the introduction of new digital systems.
  • Qualification: Creating a plan for the digital skills your employees will need in the future.
  • Employer Branding: Digital strategies for attracting new talent.

Both the potential analysis and strategic consulting must be carried out by a certified expert. Once both are completed, implementation measures can also be subsidized based on them.

Implementation

The implementation subsidy covers 30% of the costs (max. €6,000) for project volumes between €3,000 and €30,000.

For employees and culture, the following investments are eligible for funding:

  • Collaboration Tools: Introduction of software for teamwork, communication, and knowledge management (e.g., intranets, cloud solutions) that transforms how people work together.
  • HR Software: Digital administration of personnel files, recruiting systems, or employee feedback tools.
  • Digital Learning Platforms: Investments in systems for internal further education and training (e-learning).

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

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).
  • Generation management: Collaboration between young and old (e.g., integration of Gen Z).

The funding framework for this 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 up to a maximum of €1,500 can be funded.

Read more about Attractive Employer Service or contact a certified consultant: Markus Kaar

As you can see, valuable funding opportunities are available in Austria to help you future-proof your business. Investing in personnel and organizational development is therefore not only worthwhile in terms of minimized turnover costs and increased productivity and retention, but is currently also financially supported.

All information is provided without guarantee – please check the current funding conditions directly with the funding agencies.