Announcement of the Program Action 3 "Digital Transformation of Leading SMEs"
The priority of Action 3 “Digital Transformation of Leading SMEs” is the upgrading of SMEs with state-of-the-art technologies or sophisticated digital systems of the 4th industrial revolution and additionally the coverage of particular needs in information and communication technologies (ICT) that expand their productivity and competitiveness . The Action encourages, as a matter of priority, the implementation of targeted digital transformation investment projects that contribute to an extroverted, innovative, competitive and sustainable critical production of products and services of higher added value.CURRENT SITUATIONThe current call is: 1st amendment to the notice, GUIDE-APPENDICESSubmissions start: 23.02.2023 at 12:00Deadline for submissions: until the Budget is exhaustedWHO IS ADDRESSEDBeneficiaries of the aid are small and medium-sized enterprises, which, among other things, should:To have closed at least one (1) full administrative use. To be active in one of the eligible KAD of the investment plan for at least one (1) year To have at least nine (9) EMEs of dependent work during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application. Work on the investment project has not started before the submission of the aid application. To collect at least a grade of 70 in the invitation’s digital maturity questionnaire. It is pointed out that the co-location of companies is not allowed, so that it is not possible to use the equipment and/or the software of the supported investment by another company. The term co-location means the establishment of the aided enterprise in the same, non-distinct space with another enterprise. In the event that a co-location of companies is found where it is possible to use the equipment and/or software of the supported investment by another company, the Incorporation Decision will be revoked.WHAT IS FUNDEDThe Public Expenditure is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by National Participation with a total budget of €60,000,000.The subsidized budget varies from €200,001 up to €1,200,000 and the aid percentage varies from 25% to 60% depending on the aid regime, the Region of the country and the size of the company.The eligible costs are: Equipment Expenses (indicative ): Supply of sophisticated systems for remote operation of facilities, automation of the various stages of the value chain (production – transport – storage), production / storage / transport with robotic systems, upgrading of internal data transfer networks, etc. Software Expenses (indicative): Provision of applications of increased intelligence of administrative and financial planning, digital security, customer and supply chain management, data analysis with artificial intelligence tools, optimization of production, upgrading of services provided, etc. Expenses for the provision of services related to the digital upgrade (indicative): Consulting and technical support for the parameterization and integration of the new systems in the operation of SMEs, system certification, etc. The start date of expenditure eligibility is defined as the date of submission of the funding application.The maximum duration of completion of a physical and financial object is eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance of the Incorporation Decision.APPLICATION PROCEDUREThe Funding Application is submitted electronically exclusively through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (IPSKE) using the Funding Application Submission Form standardized in OPSKE (Appendix I).Submitting a funding request is allowed either only in “Action 1 – Basic Digital Transformation of SMEs”, or only in “Action 2 – Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs”, or only in “Action 3 – Cutting Edge Digital Transformation of SMEs”.Funding applications will be evaluated in order of priority, according to the date/time of final electronic submission to OPSKE.
