The thirteenth (13th) amendment of the Decision on the inclusion of State Aid Actions under the Action has been published: Upgrading Micro & Small Enterprises for the development of their capacities in new markets of the ERANEK, regarding the inclusion of four (4) additional actions, with a public expenditure of 267.879,79 euros. The total projects included in the Action are 5.317 and the total public expenditure amounts to 306.366.474,42 euros.

Upgrading micro & small enterprises - Objective

The 13th amendment of the programme aims to improve the quality of the products and services offered or to create new products/services that meet specific market needs. Also, investment projects may aim to reduce costs or increase the efficiency of operational and production processes.

Budget for the Upgrading of Micro & Small Enterprises

The budget of the public expenditure of the Action amounts to 310 million euro.

They can participate

Existing & new micro and small enterprises

1.a. Existing companies operating in the 8 strategic priority areas and keeping B' and C' category books, which until 31.12.2015 have closed two or more management uses or

b. New companies operating in the 8 strategic priority areas that do not fall into the above category of existing ones and have been established until 31.12.2015.

They are subsidized for investment projects from 15,000 euros to 200,000 euros. Condition not to exceed the total turnover of 2015.

The funding covers 40% of the eligible costs. It is increased by 10%, reaching 50% in the case of hiring new staff.

2. They have until 31/12/2015 activity in at least one eligible Nace Code (Annex VI) and

At the time of approval of the investment project, they shall have the Nace Code relating to the investment project. This must be different from the Nace Code(s) in which the company already operates

In the 13th amendment Subsidies are granted for

• Buildings, other installations and surroundings, Machinery – Equipment
• Environmental protection & energy & water saving installations
• Development & Certification of quality assurance & environmental management systems
• Actions for the patenting and protection of intellectual property at national, European and international level or for the acquisition and use of patents and for the transfer of know-how
• Technological upgrade through increased use of ICT
• Projection– promotion of businesses in target markets
• Technical support expenses for the conclusion of cooperation contracts with foreign firms or Joint Ventures, concerning new markets or new products / services
• Certification & standardization of finished products / services according to recognized standards (e.g. CE)
• Wage costs of employees (existing and/or new staff)

Timetable

The deadline for the completion of the funded investments may not exceed forty-two (42) months and one hundred and thirty-two (132) days from the date of issue of the Integration Decision. Where the period laid down expires on a non-working day, it shall be extended until the first working day.

Exceptionally, especially and only for those investment projects whose date of issue of their accession decision is later than 11-06-2020, their completion deadline cannot exceed forty-two (42) months from the date of issue of the Integration Decision.

When the completion dates of the physical and financial object are later than 31-12-2023, then the deadline for completion is set at 31-12-2023.

Basic conditions for participation to the 13th Amendment

Where the undertaking has received aid from a previous programme, it must, including aid from this action, not exceed EUR 200 000 (or EUR 100 000 for the transport sector) within three years (current calendar year and the two previous years).