Apply for a grant to develop your employees: 'SLIM'

These are just a few real-life examples that prompted the application for a SLIM grant and a collaboration with HR Advisory. Are these challenges recognisable? Then keep reading!

‘Change is the only constant’ is a phrase you must have heard a lot! Many SMEs are therefore continuously adapting, developing and professionalising to meet changing circumstances, both internally and externally. This naturally requires a substantial financial investment. If you, as an SME entrepreneur, opt for the SLIM subsidy, you can work - in cooperation with a consultant - on various HR themes at a subsidised rate. The opportunity to apply for subsidy is from 1 September to 30 September 2025. Experience shows that there are always more applications submitted than there is available SLIM grant. In such cases, the handling of the grant is determined by drawing lots.

SLIM grant: what is it?

SLIM stands for Incentive Scheme for Learning and Development in SMEs. This grant encourages SME entrepreneurs to invest in the employability, productivity and motivation of employees. This could include:

• Developing and implementing an HR policy that fits modern and inspiring employment practices with a focus on sustainability and inclusion, performance management in the form of an HR interview cycle, for example;
• Developing and implementing a future-proof valuation and remuneration policy;
• Developing and implementing a way of working and managing that steers by results instead of presence;
• Identifying development needs and designing an internal training programme for employees and managers.

From help request to grant application

Follow the steps below to see if you meet the conditions to apply for the grant.

• Analyse, possibly together with a consultant, which HR challenges the company is facing. HR challenges often have various origins such as high turnover, high absenteeism or the desire for market-compliant working conditions.
• Check whether the company can be classified as an SME via the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. Or discuss this with a consultant.
• Check whether the company does not receive any form of subsidy from the European Union, also known as de minimis aid.  
• Make an appointment with one of our consultants to elaborate on the reason.
• Write the application yourself or have the application written by a grant applicant. If the services of a grant applicant are used, we schedule an appointment with our consultant and the grant applicant to translate the prompt into a concrete activity plan and budget. Start at least three weeks before the opening of the period as this can take a long time.
• Submit the grant application. Should more applications for the SLIM grant be received in a period than the budget available, a draw will be carried out. An award decision will be made within 13 weeks of receipt.
• Draw lots? Then let's get to work! We plan an initial session to determine the practical details together. In the role of project manager or external consultant, we will help to achieve the maximum result in the 12-month term.

Investment

You will receive the maximum amount of € 25,000 in SLIM grant if you submit € 41,667 or more for an HR project. The grant is divided 60% proportionally if the budget for your HR project is less.

* Internal salary costs may also be eligible for subsidy

Forvis Mazars can help you

Our consultants specialise in developing HR and organisational policies and personal and team development. This can be facilitated from the SLIM grant.