Grants for automating a workshop in Wallonia and Flanders
Investment grants, business vouchers, strategische transformatiesteun, kmo-portefeuille: the public schemes that can support the automation of a welding workshop in Belgium.
Automating a workshop is a major investment for an SME. In Belgium, the Regions offer several schemes that can reduce its cost or fund support. Here is an overview of the main ones, with the official links.
Grant schemes change often: several were reformed in 2025 and 2026. Always check the current conditions on the official website before launching an investment, and submit your application before committing the expenditure: it is a condition of most grants.
In Wallonia
SME investment grants
SPW Économie awards investment grants to SMEs carrying out an investment programme in Wallonia. The scheme was reformed on 1 July 2025: eligibility and the amount of aid are now assessed using a points grid, which takes into account innovation, digital transformation, employment and the environmental performance of the project. An online test lets you check quickly which grants are available.
A robotic cell project, which modernises the production tool and responds to a labour shortage, can fit within this framework.
- Applying for an SME investment grant (in French): economie.wallonie.be
- Agoria’s analysis of the new scheme (in French): agoria.be
Business vouchers
Business vouchers (chèques-entreprises) fund part of the consulting, support and training services provided by accredited providers. The scheme was reorganised in early 2026 around three strands: training, strategic consulting and support, with a single platform. They can be used to prepare an automation project: production diagnosis, feasibility study, support for digital transformation.
- Official overview: wallonie.be, find out about business vouchers
- Digital strand (in French): Digital Wallonia
Financing
Wallonie Entreprendre, the public group that has brought together Wallonia’s former financial instruments since 2023, offers loans, guarantees and equity investments that can complement bank financing for a production investment.
In Flanders
Strategische transformatiesteun
The Flemish agency VLAIO supports investments and training linked to an innovative transformation of the company through strategische transformatiesteun (STS). VLAIO states a basic aid rate of 8% on investments and 20% on training, with conditions on the scale and innovative nature of the project.
Kmo-portefeuille
The kmo-portefeuille subsidises part of the training taken by Flemish SMEs. Note: since 1 February 2026, the consulting strand has been limited to cybersecurity; training is still covered. It can therefore fund training for your operators, but not the study of your automation project.
Support without grants
Beyond financial aid, several organisations support manufacturing companies in their automation projects:
- Sirris, the collective centre of the technology industry;
- Agoria, the technology industry federation;
- Flanders Make, the research centre for the manufacturing industry in Flanders;
- Wallonia’s competitiveness clusters, including MecaTech for mechanical engineering.
What about renting?
An investment grant assumes you buy the equipment. If you first want to test automation without tying up capital, renting is an alternative: that is why we offer our cell on a 6 to 12-month rental, with the rent deducted from the purchase price if you keep it. At the time of purchase, investment grants may then apply, according to the rules in force.
How to go about it
- Quantify the need. How many hours of preparation and welding would automation free up? Our ROI calculator gives a first order of magnitude.
- Find out before signing. Most grants require an application before the expenditure is committed.
- Get support. The 1890 information point for Walloon entrepreneurs, your accountant or your sector federation can point you in the right direction.
- Keep records. Quotes, analyses, plans: grant applications require the project to be documented.
Key takeaways
There is no single “robot grant”, but a set of schemes: investment grants, vouchers for consulting and training, public financing. Combined well, they significantly reduce the cost of an automation project. Start with the official websites above, and always check the up-to-date conditions.