The RIKA program supports regional qualification projects aimed at improving gender equality and enhancing women’s access to sustainable employment and income security. It promotes labor market participation and entrepreneurship for women, particularly targeting those who are unemployed or facing structural disadvantages, through tailored measures aligned with regional needs and labor market realities.

RIKA supports projects that provide labor market-oriented advice and competence development, including training, coaching, and stabilization measures. Specific focus areas include digital skills, technical professions, crafts, career advancement, gender equality, work-family balance, and entrepreneurship support. The program is especially attentive to women in vulnerable situations, such as single mothers, refugees, or migrant women.

Eligible applicants are legal entities under public or private law that demonstrate professional and administrative capability. The program encourages cooperative regional approaches that integrate local networks, businesses, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. The involvement of local coordination offices for women and economy is recommended where available.

Projects must operate within either a 'Transition Region' (ÜR) or a 'More Developed Region' (SER), with the participants' main residence, the project implementer's business location, and the project site all located within the same category region. The standard project duration is 24 months.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant of up to 60% of eligible costs in ÜR and up to 40% in SER. Eligible costs include personnel for specialist staff, participant-related costs (e.g., support allowances), and a flat-rate of 36% on direct personnel costs to cover other eligible expenses. Separate project streams must be established for employed and unemployed participants due to state aid regulations.

Projects must meet defined quality standards and address the gender equality cross-cutting goal in their concept and evaluation. New applicants must undergo a mandatory consultation with NBank. Applications must be submitted at least 3 months before the project start via the NBank portal, and only become valid with postal receipt of signed documentation.