The seventh (7th) amendment of the Call for Applications for the Funding of Investment Projects under the Action of the EPANEK e-retail - Grant for existing SMEs in the retail sector for the development/upgrade and management of an online store" (A cycle), concerning the extension of the deadline for the completion of the investments financed in the eighteen (18) months, from the twelve (12) months in effectfrom the twelve (12) months in effect According to the modification of the Invitation, the verification-certification request should have been submitted no later than one month from the end date of the eighteen-month duration of the project".

The Action aims at subsidizing SMEs in the retail sector for the development/upgrade and management of an e-shop in order to support their operation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, to strengthen their degree of digital technology integration, as well as their digital transformation and to avoid indoor crowding.

Budget of the e-Romania Action

The budget of the e-Romania Action A cycle amounts to 80 million euros for all regions of the country

The Action is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by national resources.

Beneficiaries of the e-retail Action

Medium, small and very small businesses that are active in the retail trade sector and maintain a physical store in a separate area of their home, regardless of their legal form, that operate legally in the country and have started with the competent DOU.

The companies are divided into:

• Existing , if they have been established until 30/09/2019.
• Newly established , if they have been established from 01/10/2019 until the date of the call for proposals.

Grant

Up to 5,000 euros to each business with a distinct VAT number for the acquisition of IT equipment and the implementation of intangible actions (software/services) for the purpose of developing and managing an online store.

Up to 1,500 euros for upgrading an online store if the company already had it before 18/3/2020.

Basic Conditions for Participation

Businesses should, among other things, satisfy the following conditions:

• to be active in retail trade (NACE code 47 and detailed thereof as described in Appendix X) either as the main activity, at the head office or in the branch, or as the activity with the largest income.
• to maintain a Physical Retail Store, in a separate area of their home, i.e. a commercial area that welcomes and serves customers.
• their operation has been suspended for at least one day from Wednesday 18 March 2020 onwards.
• existing businesses to have a reduction of at least 20% in their turnover during the 4th quarter of the year 2020 compared to the corresponding quarter of the year 2019. For start-ups, the reduction will be considered 100% of their turnover.
• to submit one investment proposal per VAT number.
• the total amount of de minimis aid received in the past the business, including aid from this Action, not to exceed the amount of 200,000 euros within a three-year period (current financial year and the two (2) previous financial years) prior to the date of inclusion of the proposal.
• to meet the application conditions of Reg. 1407/2013 (De Minimis) as mentioned in Annex VI hereof.
• that there are no grounds for exclusion of paragraph 1 of article 40 of the law. 4488/2017 (Α΄137) (imposition of fines for violations of labor legislation)
• no recovery order for previous illegal and incompatible state aid based on an EU or CJEU decision is pending against them.

Eligible expenditure

IT Equipment (only for new online stores and up to 30% of the Budget)

• Servers for hosting applications - software required for the creation and operation of an online store, with its accompanying components (keyboards, screen, etc.) and the required operating system. Acquisition in the form of Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) is also permitted. In the case of acquisition in the form of Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS), the cost for one year is eligible.
• Computers (Desktop/Laptop).
• Other technological equipment related to the creation/upgrade and operation of an online store (e.g. Network equipment, Bar code readers, printers, etc.). The cost of supplying tablets, mobile phones and televisions is not eligible.

Software

• Design, development and management services of an e-shop - it will work in 2 languages, as well as in a mobile device environment - mobile responsive or dedicated mobile version and will integrate functions of ordering (basket), warehouse (quantity of items) and secure electronic payments ( redirect in banking environment).
• Eligible expenditure is also the purchase of software in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS) as long as it is necessary for the operation of the e-shop. In the case of acquisition in the form of Software as a Service (SAAS), the cost for one year is eligible.
• Development and/or certification of a digital security policy.

Spending is eligible from 18 March 2020 onwards.

See detailed information about the action here .