FIT Flanders Trade Missions — How to Get Funded

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) is the Flemish government agency responsible for promoting international business. One of its flagship programs is the organisation of trade missions — structured trips where Flemish companies visit foreign markets together, meet potential buyers and distributors, and explore new business opportunities with institutional support.

FIT trade missions are not ordinary business trips. They are carefully planned by FIT market advisors stationed in over 90 offices worldwide. Each mission includes a programme of B2B matchmaking meetings, networking receptions, market briefings, and sometimes visits to local industry events or trade fairs. The missions target specific sectors and countries where FIT sees strong potential for Flemish companies.

FIT organises over 100 trade missions per year, covering markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Missions range from large multisectoral delegations led by Flemish ministers to smaller, focused sector missions targeting a specific niche. Some missions are standalone; others are combined with major international trade fairs like Hannover Messe, SIAL, or Arab Health.

For Flemish SMEs considering international expansion, FIT trade missions offer a low-risk way to explore new markets. The institutional backing provides credibility, the organised programme saves time, and the financial support makes it affordable. Many Belgian exporters started their international journey through a FIT trade mission. Explore all Belgian export grants to see the full picture.

To participate in a FIT trade mission and receive financial support, your company must meet several criteria. First, you must be a Flemish company — meaning your company is registered in Belgium with its operational headquarters (exploitatiezetel) in the Flemish Region. Companies headquartered in Brussels or Wallonia should look at Brussels Invest & Export or AWEX respectively.

Second, you must be an SME as defined by the European Commission: fewer than 250 employees, annual turnover below 50 million euros, or a balance sheet total below 43 million euros. These thresholds are calculated at group level, including parent companies and affiliated enterprises.

Third, your company must have a viable product or service that is ready for the target market. FIT missions are not for companies still in the R&D phase — you need something to sell. FIT also looks for a basic export plan: why this market, what is your competitive advantage, and what do you expect to achieve from the mission.

FIT offers different levels of support for first-time exporters versus experienced exporters. First-time exporters may qualify for higher co-funding rates and additional coaching before the mission. Check your eligibility with the BelGrant assistant.

FIT provides co-financing that typically covers 50 to 80 percent of eligible costs, depending on the type of mission and your company profile. First-time exporters and companies targeting difficult markets may receive higher support rates.

Eligible costs include the mission participation fee (which covers the organised programme, matchmaking, and logistics), international travel (economy class flights), accommodation (up to a reasonable daily rate set by FIT), and local transportation. Some missions also cover visa costs and mandatory insurance.

FIT trade mission grants are capped per company per year. The maximum varies but typically ranges from 2,500 to 10,000 euros per mission, with annual caps between 15,000 and 25,000 euros depending on the programme type. Larger grants are available for companies participating in strategic missions or exploring priority markets identified by FIT.

In addition to the direct financial support, FIT provides significant in-kind value: the matchmaking programme alone, which includes pre-screened business contacts in the target market, would cost thousands of euros if arranged privately. The FIT brand also opens doors that individual companies might struggle to access on their own.

The application process starts with finding the right mission. FIT publishes its annual mission calendar on the FIT website, typically six to twelve months in advance. You can search by country, sector, or date. FIT also sends targeted invitations to companies that match the profile for specific missions.

Once you identify a mission, you register your interest through the FIT online portal. The registration includes basic company information, a description of your product or service, your export experience, and your objectives for the mission. FIT reviews applications and may contact you for additional information or a brief interview.

After acceptance, FIT prepares the matchmaking programme. You provide a company profile and a wish list of the types of contacts you want to meet. FIT market advisors in the target country then identify and pre-screen potential partners, buyers, or distributors. This matchmaking preparation takes several weeks, which is why early registration is important.

After the mission, you submit a financial report with receipts for eligible costs and a brief report on the business outcomes. FIT processes the reimbursement within four to eight weeks. You also participate in a debriefing where FIT gathers feedback to improve future missions. Browse all available support on the Flanders grants page.

Start early. Popular missions fill up quickly, and late registrations may not get the best matchmaking results. Register as soon as the mission calendar is published.

Be specific about your objectives. Rather than saying you want to explore the market, describe what you are looking for: distributors for your product line, OEM partners for a specific technology, or key accounts in a defined segment. Specific objectives lead to better matchmaking results.

Prepare your company profile carefully. This is what FIT shows to potential contacts in the target market. Include your unique selling points, target customer profile, and what you can offer a local partner. A strong profile attracts better matches.

Follow up immediately after the mission. The connections you make are perishable — send follow-up emails within 48 hours, reference specific topics from your meetings, and propose concrete next steps. Companies that follow up quickly convert significantly more leads from trade missions.

Use the mission as part of a broader export strategy, not a one-off event. FIT rewards companies that show a systematic approach to international growth with priority access to future missions and higher funding rates. Take the BelGrant quiz to map your complete export funding options.