The funding programme "Regionales Wachstum" (Regional Growth) of the Sächsische Aufbaubank – Förderbank – (SAB) provides grants for investment projects of the commercial economy and liberal professions in Saxony. It supports companies in strengthening their adaptability and competitiveness, in particular in the context of the structural change caused by the coal phase-out. The programme is co-financed by the European Union and contributes to sustainable development in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

The programme offers a non-repayable grant (Zuschuss) for investments in fixed assets. Eligible are, for example, buildings, machinery, plants and intangible assets that are directly linked to the investment project. The investment period can last up to 36 months, giving companies sufficient time to plan and implement their projects. The grant can be combined with other financing instruments, such as the SAB Sachsenkredit Universal (including a repayment bonus of up to 10 %), allowing for tailored financing packages.

The programme targets companies of the commercial economy and liberal professions. In the districts of Erzgebirgskreis, Meißen, Mittelsachsen, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Vogtlandkreis and Zwickau, small enterprises are eligible. In the districts of Bautzen, Görlitz, Leipzig, Nordsachsen and the City of Chemnitz, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported. Applicants must predominantly operate in one of the economic sectors listed in Annexes 1 and 2 of the funding guideline. Projects in the cities of Dresden and Leipzig are excluded from funding.

The supported investment projects must improve the company’s adaptability and competitiveness, for example through expansion of the product or service range, increase in turnover, process optimisation or quality improvements. Furthermore, the project must contribute to both ecological and social sustainability in the sense of the funding guideline. The minimum investment volume is 20,000 euros. The project must be completed within 36 months, and existing permanent jobs at the funded site must be maintained and filled for at least three years after project completion. The funded assets must remain in the company for at least five years after the end of the project.

Due to very high demand in the districts of Leipzig and Nordsachsen, funds have already been reallocated to these regions. As a result, the previous maximum funding rate of up to 70 % cannot be maintained. In these two districts, a reduced but still high funding rate of up to 50 % of eligible expenses (as de-minimis aid) applies for applications submitted from 1 November 2025 onwards. Applications submitted before 1 November 2025 as well as projects in the districts of Bautzen and Görlitz and in the City of Chemnitz are not affected and continue to benefit from the previous conditions.

Because of the current budget situation, no further applications can currently be submitted under the national "Regionales Wachstum" (Landesprogramm) in the districts Vogtlandkreis, Zwickau, Erzgebirgskreis, Mittelsachsen, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge and Meißen. However, funding applications under the "Regionales Wachstum" JTF programme remain possible for projects in the structural change regions (districts Görlitz, Bautzen, Nordsachsen and Leipzig as well as the City of Chemnitz). Applications are submitted via the SAB funding portal. Before applying, companies can use an online Quick-Check to verify whether their project generally meets the programme requirements and can consult detailed video tutorials explaining how to prepare the document list and submit payment requests.