VAPRO

In the next period, the Ministry of Public Finance is intending to update the GD 807/2014 state aid scheme and to open a new session of project proposals.

According to the Government’s statements, “the state aid scheme will have a total budget of 1 billion euro over a 5-year period and hopes that by the end of June the legislative framework will be adopted so that companies can submit their projects.[…] Among the innovative elements of the new scheme will be: differentiation of the scheme into two categories: investments under and over 10 million euro. The areas of interest will be: production, innovation and research.”

We remind you of the most important details of this financing opportunity
(according to the latest launch of the scheme from 2016):

Eligible applicants are companies (large and SMEs), including start-ups (the subscribed capital is of minimum 100.000 lei), from all economic sectors, except companies activating in areas such as: aquaculture, primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, steel, coal sector, shipbuilding, production of synthetic fibers, transportation and energetic sectors and all sectors listed in Annex 1 to GD 807/2014.

Eligible expenditure:

• Costs excluding VAT, related to the realization, respectively the acquisition of tangible and intangible assets, and the expenses related to the renting of the constructions related to the initial investment
  • Tangible assets: construction, technical installations, machinery and equipment;
  • Intangible assets: depreciable assets associated with the initial investment, such as patents, licenses, know-how, etc.

Project value: minimum 44 mill. lei (approx. 10 mill. euro). In the update version, two types of projects will be launched:

• For investments up to 10 million euro
• For investments of over 10 million euro

The grant awarded is differentiated according to the implementation region:

• up to 15% in the Bucharest Region;
• up to 35% in the West and Ilfov Regions;
• up to 50% in the rest of the regions (North West, North East, Center, South West, South, South East)

Under the POCU funding program, two calls for projects are expected in the near future, through which LARGE companies can reimburse their investments in training programs for their own employees:

Financing line 3.8: which aim investments in training of managers (any level – from top managers to line managers, team managers etc) and staff from HR department – minimum 50 persons;

• The call is expected to be relaunched in the next month and finances activities as: training, coaching, seminars, workshops, conferences, lectures etc.
• Duration of the project implementation period is maximum 12 months;
• Maximum eligible value is 140.000 euro/project, of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is 50%

Financing line 3.12:  focusing on the training of directly productive / operational employees – minimum 50 persons;

• The call is expected to be launched in the next month and finances activities as:
  • professional training programs (qualification/ specializations / refresher courses) and also other informal courses;
  • learning and development planning;
  • evaluation / validation and certification of the competencies previously acquired (recognition at enterprise and / or national level);
  • development of an own training system at employer level;
• Duration of the project implementation period is maximum 18 months;
• Maximum eligible value is 500.000 euro /project, of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is between 50% and 95%, according to certain activities.

 Who can apply?

• Large enterprises which operates in one of the economically competitive sectors identified according to the SNC: tourism / ecotourism, textiles / leather, wood / furniture, auto and components, IT and communications, food / beverage processing, energy / environment, health / pharmaceutics, bio economy / bio pharmaceutics / bio technology, creative industries AND have activity – headquarter or premises/ subsidiaries – in the country (employees working in Buc. Ilfov are not eligible).

For 3.12 financing line, in addition, are eligible also the areas: means of transport, infrastructure, chemicals, electrical machinery / appliances / equipment.

For more information click here:
POCU 3.8
POCU 3.12

AMPOCU launched under public consultation the Specific Guidelines for the financing line – “Innovation through training”, within which LARGE companies can reimburse their investment in professional training programs for employees, especially the directly productive ones.

The call is dedicated to human resource development through:

• professional training programs (qualification/ specializations/ short term programs/ informal courses/ workshop/ seminars); at least 60% of the employees should participate at qualification courses (level 2-4);
• learning and development planning;
• evaluation / validation and certification of the competencies previously acquired
  (recognition at enterprise and / or national level);
• development of an own training system at employer level – learning at workplace.

How long does it take to implement a project?

• maximum 18 months.

What is the maximum value of the project?

• 500.000 euro of which the percentage of non-reimbursable financing is 50-95% depending on specific activities.

Who can apply?

• Large enterprises with activity in priority sectors: tourism/ ecotourism, textiles / leather, wood/ furniture, auto and components, IT and communications, food/ beverage processing, energy/ environment, health/ pharmaceutics, bio economy/ bio pharmaceutics/ bio technology, creative industries, means of transport, infrastructure, chemicals, electrical machinery / appliances / equipment. See the list of eligible CAEN codes here.

The project can only be implemented in the less developed regions (Central, South-East, South Muntenia, North-East, North-West, West, South-West Oltenia) of Romania.
Large enterprises with headquarters in the Bucharest-Ilfov region are also eligible, only if their projects are implemented in the less developed eligible regions (within a place of business located in one of the eligible regions).

Which employees can be involved in the project (target group)?

• Employees seeking the development of their knowledge, competencies and aptitudes levels or who seek the certification/ validation of the competencies, especially in the priority economic sectors;
• Employees with present/ future activities in the priority economic sectors.

Minimum target group: 50 persons.

For more information click here.

AMPOCU launched on April 25, 2018 the call for projects “Student Entrepreneurship Scholarship”, dedicated to increase the participation of students from vulnerable categories to bachelor degree programs. The deadline for submitting projects is July 25, 2018.

Call budget:

• 71.091.764 euro.

Maximum project value:

• 1,7 mil. euro, with a contribution of 0%/2%/5%/8%, depending on the type of organization.

Eligible applicants:

• Public and private, accredited higher education institutions.

Universities from Bucharest-Ilfov region will be able to submit projects as applicants only in partnership with universities from one of the 7 less developed regions of Romania, to ensure the eligible target group.

Eligible partners:

• Public and private, accredited higher education institutions;
• NGOs, including student associations (only for the activities from point 1);
• Social partners from higher education or from public and private environments.

The maximum duration of the project implementation:

• 24 months

Target group:

• Pupils, students;
• Teaching staff in higher education;
• Staff involved in developing study programs in tertiary education.

The target group must have their domicile or residence in a less developed region of Romania.

Eligible activities:

1.Activities to increase participation in tertiary education (activities that can be done also by NGOs):

• integrated packages of educational assistance measures and financial support, ex. scholarships, mobility measures etc. Can be granted the STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR SCHOLARSHIP, maximum value: 300lei/month, during the last 3 semesters of bachelor studies;
• joint activities with pupils, students an teaching staff (ex. counseling, information, visits etc.) and awareness campaigns;
• other innovative actions.

2.Improving the level of competence of teaching staff from tertiary education (expecially in the field of entrepreneurship).

3. Diversification of educational offers from tertiary education, correlated with the needs of the labor market.

The guideline can be downloaded from here

We present you a centralization of already launched project calls and expected calls to be launched in the following period.

ALREADY LAUNCHED PROJECT CALLS:

POR 2.2 – Danube Delta – deadline 23.08.2018

• The call finances investments made by SME-s (constructions, extension of the production/ services areas) in the Danube Delta region (administrative-territorial units within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Tulcea County andnorthern Constanta County).
• Non reimbursable financing amount: minimum 000 euroand maximum 1.000.000 euro.
• More details here

POIM 6.2 – deadline 31.12.2018

• The call finances acquisition of the monitoring system of energy consumption at the level of industrial consumers (companies active in extractive industryand manufacturing industry sectors) with a consumption of more than 1,000 toe/year (projects implemented in the Bucharest – Ilfov development region are not eligible).
• Non reimbursable financing amount: up to 200.000 euro.
• More information you can consult POIM 6.2 here

CALLS EXPECTED TO BE LAUNCHED:

POCU 3.8 – expected to be launched in the following period

• The call finances training programs targeting the training of managers (any level – from top managers to line managers, team managers etc) and staff fromHR department – minimum 50 persons/ project.
• Eligible applicants: Large enterprises(to train their own staff) which operates in sectors: tourism/ ecotourism, textiles / leather, wood / furniture, auto and components, IT and communications, food / beverage processing, energy / environment, health / pharmaceutics, bio economy / bio pharmaceutics / bio technology, creative industries (employees working in Buc – Ilfov are not eligible).
• Maximum eligible value is 140.000 euro/project, of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is 50%.
• For more information click here: POCU 3.8

POCU 3.12 – expected to be launched in the following period

• The call finances training programs focusing on the training of directly productive/ operational employees– minimum 50 persons/ project.
• Eligible applicants: Large enterprises(to train their own staff) which operates in sectors: tourism/ ecotourism, textiles / leather, wood / furniture, auto and components, IT and communications, food / beverage processing, energy / environment, health / pharmaceutics, bio economy / bio pharmaceutics / bio technology, creative industries (employees working in Buc – Ilfov are not eligible).
• Maximum eligible value is 500.000 euro /project, out of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is between 50%and 95%, according to certain activities.
• For more information click here: POCU 3.12

“RO Innovation” – Launches within SEE and Norway grants – expected to be launched in April/ May

• Supports sustainable business development, innovative technologies, processes and services (addressed mainly for SME-s, for large enterprises and NGO-s).
• The amount of non-reimbursable financing is up to 70%, but no more than 2.000.000 euro,depending on project type, the type of organization.
• More information you can consult here

Within POR there is a call for projects opened until 23.08.2018 for investments made by SMEs in the Danube Delta region.

Eligible beneficiaries:

• SMEs (with up to 250 employees and up to 50 million euro turnover or up to 43 million euro total assets) from urban areas (including microenterprises) and
• Medium enterprises from rural areas.

It is required for a beneficiary to have at least 1 year of activity (established before 03.01.2017) and a minimum number of 3 employees.

Eligible regions:

• administrative-territorial units within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Tulcea County and northern Constanta County (see more details about the implementation regions here.)

Eligible investments:

1. Construction, extension of the production/ services areas;
2. Acquisition of tangible (equipment, tools etc), intangible assets (patents, licenses etc), including e-commerce tools.
3. Implementation of certification of products, services, or different specific processes, quality environmental or health management systems;
4. Participation to international fairs and exhibitions, trade missions etc.

 Non reimbursable financing amount: minimum 200.000 euro and maximum 1.000.000 euro.

Non-reimbursable financing rate:

• For investments mentioned at points a) and b) – up to 70% from the eligible expenses value;
• For investments mentioned at points c) and d) – up to 90% from the eligible expenses value;

More details here.

Under the POCU funding program, two calls for projects are expected in the near future, through which LARGE companies can reimburse their investments in training programs for their own employees:

Financing line 3.8: which aim the training of managers (any level – from top managers to line managers, team managers etc) and staff from HR department – minimum 50 persons;

• The call is expected to be relaunched in the next month and finances activities as: training, coaching, seminars, workshops, conferences, lectures etc.
• Duration of the project implementation period is maximum 12 months;
• Maximum eligible value is 140.000 euro/project, of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is 50%

Financing line 3.12:  focusing on the training of directly productive / operational employees – minimum 50 persons;

• The call is expected to be launched in the next month and finances activities as:
  • professional training programs (qualification/ specializations / refresher courses) amd also other informal courses;
  • learning and development planning;
  • evaluation / validation and certification of the competencies previously acquired;
  • development of an own training system at employer level;
• Duration of the project implementation period is maximum 18 months;
• Maximum eligible value is 500.000 euro /project, of which the non-reimbursable financing percentage is between 50% and 95%, according to certain activities.

Who can apply?

• Large enterprises which operates in one of the economically competitive sectors identified according to the SNC: tourism / ecotourism, textiles / leather, wood / furniture, auto and components, IT and communications, food / beverage processing, energy / environment, health / pharmaceutics, bio economy / bio pharmaceutics / bio technology, creative industries AND have activity – headquarter or premises/ subsidiaries – in the country (employees working in Buc. Ilfov are not eligible)

For more information click here:

POCU 3.8
POCU 3.12

The “RO Innovation” programme schedule, part of the EEA and Norway Grants (2014-2021), was updated, and starting with April will be launched new calls dedicated to SMEs and NGOs from Romania. The “RO Innovation” programme seek to stimulate and develop long-term business cooperation between the Donor States (Norvegia, Islanda si Liechtenstein) and Romania based on business development and innovation.

Total program budget: 45 mill. euro

Areas of support:

• Innovative technologies, processes and services
• Sustainable business development
• Greening of existing businesses and processes
• Development and implementation of innovative products and services

Programme components:

• Green Industry Innovation;
• ICT – Information and Communication Technology;
• Blue Growth (based on resources from the Black Sea);
• Boost to Romanian business sector;

The amount of non-reimbursable financing is up to 70%, but no more than 2.000.000 euro, depending on the size of the enterprise, project activities and region of implementation;

Eligible applicants:

• SMEs;
• NGOs;

Eligible partners:

• SMEs;
• NGOs;
• Universities;
• Public institutions;

Calls expected to be launched in the coming period:

• Fund for Bilateral Relations – Call for Travel Support – May 2018
• Individual Project Scheme – call for project proposals for: “Green Industry Innovation”, “ICT”, “Blue Growth” – May 2018
• Small Grants Scheme – call for project proposals for: “Green Industry Innovation”, “ICT” and “Blue Growth” – May 2018
• Small Grants Scheme  – call for project proposals: “Boost to Romanian business sector” – April 2019

More information regarding the programme you can find here.

• Open call for investments of SMEs: in the Danube Delta region – the funding is up to 1.000.000 euro and the call is open until 23.08.2018
• Call expected to be re-launched for investments of SMEs in the West, North-East and South-East regions as a result of allocating additional funding – the funding is up to 1.000.000 euro

Within POR 2.1:

• Call expected to be re-launched for investments of micro enterprises in the West, North-East, South-East, Center and South-West Oltenia regions as a result of allocating additional funding – the funding is up to 200.000 euro

Eligible beneficiaries:
Within POR 2.2:

• SMEs (with up to 250 employees and up to 50 million euro turnover or up to 43 million euro total assets) from urban areas (including microenterprises) and
• Medium enterprises from rural areas.

It is required for a beneficiary to have at least 1 year of activity (established before 03.01.2017) and a minimum number of 3 employees.

Withing POR 2.1:

• SMEs (with up to 9 employees and up to 2 million euro turnover/total assets) from urban areas

It is required for a beneficiary to have at least 1 year of activity.

Eligible investments:
For POR 2.2:

a. Construction, extension of the production/ services areas;

6. Acquisition of tangible (equipment, tools etc), intangible assets (patents, licenses etc), including e-commerce tools.

c. Implementation of certification of products, services, or different specific processes, quality environmental or health management systems;

d. Participation to international fairs and exhibitions, trade missions etc.

For POR 2.2: are eligible only the first 2 investments: a) and b).

Financing amount:

• For investments financed through POR 2.2 – min. 200.000 euro and max. 1.000.000 euro;
• For investments financed through POR 2.1 – min. 25.000 euro and max. 200.000 euro;

Non-reimbursable financing rate:
For investments financed through POR 2.2:

• For investments mentioned at points a) and b) – up to 70% from the eligible expenses value;
• For investments mentioned at points c) and d) – up to 90% from the eligible expenses value;

For investments financed through POR 2.1: up to 90% from the eligible expenses value;

For the financing currently open (POR 2.2 – for investments located in the Danube Delta region) – more details can be obtained here.

The Ministry of European Funds has extended the deadline for submission of project proposals for the call: “Innovative Technological Project” (POC 1.2.1), addressed to private companies, until 16.05.2018, 23:59 hour.

We remind you that this action aims to fund projects that develop new or substantially improved products and/or processes or technologies, developed through research activities for the purpose of production and commercialization. The call has a total allocation of 286 million lei (about 64 million euro).

Eligible applicants:

• large enterprises and SMEs, with R&D activity, but R&D not as main activity.
• The R&D component can be implemented individually by the applicant only or in a partnership with one or two research organizations.

Value of grant: up to 22.500.000 lei (aprox 5 mil euro);

Financing percentage:

• For companies, variable percentage, between 10%-80% (depends on the type of activities included in the project, the size of the applicant and location if investment).
• The activities performed by the research institutions are financed with up to 100%of the eligible costs.

Types of eligible activities:

• industrial research;
• experimental development;
• preparatory feasibility studies for R&D activities;
• innovation activities for obtaining, validating and protecting patents, and other intangible assets;
• other innovative activities: high skilled personnel detachment, acquisition of innovation consultancy services, acquisition of innovation support services;
• initial investments for innovation for introducing in production of R&D results.

For more information please click here.