Applications are now open for grants to support the development of workplace clusters in rural areas. Grants of up to 50 million kr. will be awarded. The Icelandic Regional Development Agency is managing the grants, and the application deadline is 12:00 PM on Monday, September 28.
The Minister of Infrastructure provides the grants awarded based on the 2022-2036 Regional Development Plan, specifically action B.7 on non-local jobs. The goal is to enhance freedom of settlement by increasing job opportunities and the diversity of jobs in rural areas. The measure involves strengthening the development of workplace clusters and increasing the number of non-location-specific jobs in rural areas.
This is the second time applications for grants for workplace clusters have been solicited, but Last March, the Minister of Infrastructure awarded grants to 26 clusters., totaling nearly 50 million kr.
More about the scholarship
Eligible applicants are entities that operate workplace clusters outside the capital region. Priority will be given to smaller places with a monoculture economy, areas that have experienced significant economic shocks, or areas in sparsely populated labor markets.
Grants can be provided to cover salary costs for launching new activities, to increase spaces with a long-term commitment to their use, or to pay for shared operating costs for the activities.
A workplace cluster is defined as an organized and shared workspace where a variety of work facilities are available for more than one workplace or the multiple sites of workplaces.
The selection committee and application evaluation are discussed in the regulations on the Minister of Infrastructure's allocation of grants awarded based on the Strategic Regional Plan for the years 2022-2036. The project "non-local jobs" is discussed in more detail in the action plan of the spatial policy (action B.7).
- Announcement of the grant awards
- Application Portal of the Icelandic Housing Finance Authority
- Regulations on the allocation by the Minister of Infrastructure of grants awarded on the basis of the Strategic Plan for Communities for the years 2022-2036
For more information, contact Sigurður Árnason, specialist at the Development Division of the Icelandic Development Cooperation Agency – sigurdur@byggdastofnun.is