"Fit 4" programmes now simpler, more accessible and more attractive

Faced with unprecedented transformation challenges such as the sustainable transition, accelerated digitalisation, the rise of artificial intelligence and growing cyber risks, Luxembourg companies must adapt quickly.

This is why, among the aid schemes available to Luxembourg companies, the "Fit 4" programmes have been set up. These are programmes managed by Luxinnovation, the national innovation agency, with the support of the Ministry of the Economy. They consist of support and co-financing schemes designed to help strengthen the productivity, competitiveness and resilience of companies in the country.

The 'Fit 4' programmes provide a structured assessment, conducted by experts, allowing a company to know precisely where it stands, which actions to prioritise and how to implement them. Mario Grotz, CEO of Luxinnovation.

Today, all of these "Fit 4" programmes are undergoing major changes to improve the support provided to companies in terms of digitalisation (Fit 4 Digital), sustainability (Fit 4 Sustainability), operational excellence (Fit 4 Performance, formerly Fit 4 Innovation) and the adoption of artificial intelligence (Fit 4 AI). A new programme dedicated to the security of information systems (Fit 4 Cybersecurity) has also been launched in collaboration with the Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity.

Expanded and simplified access, increased amounts

Access to all "Fit 4" schemes is now broadened and simplified. While they were previously mainly accessible to SMEs in certain sectors of activity, they are now open to Luxembourg companies of all sizes, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions such as holding a valid business permit issued by the Ministry of the Economy.

At the same time, subsidy rates and ceilings are aligned upwards across all Fit 4 programmes:

• Subsidy rate: 70% for small businesses, 60% for medium-sized businesses and 50% for large companies (with an additional 10 percentage points specifically for the Fit 4 Sustainability programme);
• Amount of aid: The amount of aid is more than EUR 1,000 and cannot exceed EUR 100,000 per project. By way of comparison, the eligible budgets of Fit 4 Digital and Fit 4 Innovation were previously capped at EUR 5,000 and EUR 15,000 respectively.

Finally, the administrative procedure for submitting a "Fit 4" application on Guichet.lu is now handled by Luxinnovation, allowing companies to focus on what matters most: their transformation project.

"Fit 4" programmes: diagnosis and action plan by a certified consultant

In 2024 and 2025, more than 120 companies have already benefited from these "Fit 4" programmes in their transformation process, through the co-financing of in-depth diagnoses carried out by private consultants approved by Luxinnovation. The outcome is a detailed action plan with concrete recommendations that provides a solid basis for taking the next steps.

"Embarking on a transformation process is a strategic decision that may seem complex. What the 'Fit 4' programmes provide is a structured assessment, conducted by experts, allowing a company to know precisely where it stands, which actions to prioritise and how to implement them," explains Mario Grotz, CEO of Luxinnovation.

Fit 4 Innovation gives way to Fit 4 Performance

The Fit 4 Innovation programme is evolving to become Fit 4 Performance. This new name better reflects the reality of the scheme, which is to support companies in improving their operational performance, whether in terms of their internal processes, their organisation or their resource management.

Fit 4 Digital expands its scope

Until now limited to a general assessment of the company's basic digital maturity, with a budget of EUR 5,000, the scope of Fit 4 Digital is being extended to finance more in-depth studies. The programme will cover, for example, an evaluation of the company's data management, an analysis of automation opportunities or the drafting of specifications for new ERP software.

Fit 4 Cybersecurity, the new programme

In a context where digitalisation and the growing use of artificial intelligence are exposing companies more to cyber risks, Luxinnovation is also launching Fit 4 Cybersecurity in collaboration with the Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (LHC). This programme makes it possible to carry out an in-depth assessment of any relevant dimension of cybersecurity (code, architecture, physical security, organisation, etc.).

All Fit 4 programmes retain their logic of in-depth evaluation and personalised recommendations on which their success is based. Inès Baer, Luxinnovation.

The Fit 4 Digital and Fit 4 Cybersecurity programmes thus complement the services offered by the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub (L-DIH), by providing companies with more extensive support to structure their digital transformation and cybersecurity projects.

"All Fit 4 programmes retain their logic of in-depth evaluation and personalised recommendations on which their success is based," says Inès Baer, Head of Assessments & Roadmaps at Luxinnovation. "The implementation of the recommendations made at the end of these diagnoses can also give access to other complementary aid schemes from the Ministry of the Economy, such as the SME Packages managed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts, which offer SMEs a government subsidy reimbursing 70% of eligible costs or to the services of the Luxembourg AI Factory."