11/2/2016
The Programme "Upgrading of micro and small enterprises by developing their skills in new markets" is financed by the Operational Programme "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship, Innovation (EPAnEK)" of PA 2014-2020 and primarily aims to upgrade the level of business organisation and operation of SMEs, in eight (8) strategic sectors of the country, so as to harness their competitive edges, improving their position in the national and international markets.
The priority strategic sectors are:
The enterprises will receive aid for upgrading through increased investments in their technological and commercial modernisation, adopting the use of ICTs, increasing the degree of standardisation and certification of products, developing integrated services, improving the quality of products and services offered. Simultaneously to the transfer of technology and know-how, productive force skills are expected to be enhanced and the competitiveness of SMEs to be increased.
Eligible EnterprisesThe following can submit proposals for the Programme:
Activities not supported by the ERDF (ΕC. 1301/2013, article 3 par.2) and the requirements of the De minimis Regulation (ΕC. 1407/2013, article 1), as well as activities with respect to the restaurant sector, retail trade and tourism are excluded.
The eligible categories for business activities (Activity Code Numbers - KAD), which will be subsidised in the context of the Action are included in the Call for Proposals of the Programme.
Participation ConditionsThe main conditions for participation of enterprises submitting an investment proposal are the following:
Public enterprises, public entities or public organisations and/or their subsidiaries, as well as similar enterprises are not entitled to submit a proposal.
Project's Budget - Geographical DistributionThe programme is financed with the total amount of €130,000,000 (Public Expenditure) and will be realised in two (2) cycles of calls (1st cycle in 2016: 60% and 2nd cycle in 2016: 40%). The present programme of the 1st cycle is financed with the total amount of €78 million (Public Expenditure) and is allocated in the regions of the country as follows:
The Public Expenditure of the programme is co-financed by the Greek State and the European Union and specifically the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with application of the flexibility clause for financing interventions that fall under the scope of aid of the ESF.
Aid SchemesIn the context of the programme –in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1407/2013 (De Minimis)– projects with a total investment budget (subsidised budget) from €15,000 up to €200,000 will be subsidized.
The rate of aid is set at a maximum of 40% of the eligible expenses of the investment plan. In the event of new personnel being hired, the rate of aid is increased by 10 points only after the achievement of this target is certified.
Up to 40% of the corresponding Public Expenditure can be paid in advance by providing a letter of guarantee for the same amount by a bank or other financial institution established in one of the EU member states.
Project DurationThe duration of the approved projects is set at twenty four (24) months from the issuance date for the inclusion of the investment plan.
Eligible ExpenditureThe eligible expenditure categories which will be subsidised in the context of the present Pre-Announcement are included in detail in the Call for Proposals of the Programme. Indicative categories of eligible expenditure for the two year aid period are the following:
It should be noted that the payroll cost of existing or new personnel to be employed in the specific project is eligible, with the implementation of the flexibility clause.
The beginning of expenditure eligibility is set as the submission date of the application for financing.
Submission – Evaluation – Inclusion – ImplementationFinancing from the present Programme requires the submission for evaluation of a business plan based on the procedure set out in the Programme’s Call for Proposals.
The detailed conditions for participation, the documents required, the manner of proposal submission, the procedure for examining and evaluating proposals, the evaluation criteria, the obligations of beneficiaries in the event of approval of the aid application and the other terms of the Programme are described in detail in the Call for Proposals of the Programme (as well as in all the documents that accompany it). It should be noted that during the control and evaluation of the proposals, data will be cross-checked thoroughly so as to verify the accuracy of data contained in the investment proposals and prevent fraud against the EU budget.
The evaluation of the applications for financing will be comparative, based on criteria set out in the Call of the Programme.
Information - PublicityThe Call for Proposals (in greek) as well as all the documents of the Programme that accompany it, can be found here and also in the Special Managing Service EPAnEK website www.antagonistikotita.gr.
Contact e-mail: infoepan@mou.gr
Contact telephone number: 801 11 36300
OP Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Announcement
Last modification date: 29/2/2016