VAPRO

We announce you that 2 projects calls have been launched to finance employees’ training for digital skills development:

•  The call that finances the employees’ training from large companies – deadline for submitting projects – November 15th;
• The call that finances the employees’ training from SMEs – deadline for submitting projects – October 30th;

Below, we present more information about each of the 2 calls:

Financing line for employees’ training (digital and IT&C skills development) from large companies(with over 250 employees, and a turnover of more than 50 million euro)

•  The projects’ maximum value is 500.000 euro with a grant of 250.000 euro (50%);
• Only large companies active in priority sectors, such as: IT&C, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy, tourism can apply;
• A minimum of 75 outside Bucharest-Ilfov region working employees  must attend projects’ activities;
• A project’s timeline is of maximum 18 months;
• Total allocation: 10 million euro;
• For more information, click here.

Financing line for SME’s employees training (digital and IT&C skills development)

• The projects’ maximum value is 1.000.000 euro, of which 85% to 100% non-refundable grant;
• Only business associations, chambers of commerce and employers’ organizations can apply, in partnership with other relevant entities (for example: trade unions and / or training providers);
• Only employees from SMEs that carry out their activity in priority sectors’ trainings are funded;
• A minimum of 250 outside Bucharest-Ilfov region  working employees  must attend the training;
• A project’s timeline is of maximum 18 months;
• Total allocation: 20 million euro, of which 1 million for ITI Danube Delta;
• For more information, click here.

A new financing line dedicated to employee’s training from large enterprises with over 250 employees and a turnover of over 50 million euro will soon be opened.

• The projects’ maximum value is 500.000 euro with a grant of 250.000 euro (50%);
• Only large companies active in priority sectors, such as: IT&C, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy, tourism can apply. You can find the complete list of activities financed here;
• A minimum of 75 outside Bucharest-Ilfov region working employees  must attend projects’ activities;
• A project’s timeline is of maximum 18 months;
• Total allocation: 10 million euro;
• Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation and the call for proposals will be opened shortly;
• For more information, click here.

We present below the most important financing lines which will be launched in the next period, addressed to SMEs (companies with up to 250 employees and a turnover of 50 million euro).

1. Financing line for large investments (POR 2.2)

• The projects’ value is between 1.500.000 and 6.000.000 euro, of which 60% to 70% non-refundable grant;
• Only SMEs (up to 250 employees and up to 50 million euro turnover, minimum 1 year old and recorded operating profit (> 0 lei) in the fiscal year prior to the submission of the financing application) can apply;
• Total budget: 150 million euro – with the possibility of up to 550 million euro additional allocation;
• Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation and call for proposals will be opened shortly;
• For more information, click here.

 2. Financing lines announced following the draft Emergency Ordinance to support SMEs, in the COVID-19 crisis context (POC 2014 – 2020)

• The projects’ value is between 50.000 and 200.000 euro, with a 70% non-refundable grant for the investments realized in Bucharest-Ilfov and a 85% non-refundable grant for investments realized in the rest of the country;
• Eligible beneficiaries: companies or cooperative societies that fall into the category of Small and Medium Enterprises;
• Total budget: 550 million euro, of which 15% of the value of the budget allocated for the Bucharest-Ilfov region and 85% of the value of the budget allocated for the other regions;
• Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation and call for proposals will be opened shortly;
• For more information, click here.

3. Financing line for ICT investments, dedicated to SMEs (POC 2.2.1)

• The projects’ value is between 1.000.000 and 5.000.000 euro, to which are added the de minimis expenses (maximum 200.000 euro). The percentage of non-refundable financing is between 35% and 80%, depending on the type of applicant and the budgeted activities;
• Projects that can receive funding must include the development of innovative products / services / applications that support the applicant’s internal activity, as well as products / services / applications developed for other entities, in order to streamline and optimize the activity, using specific ICT means;
• Eligible beneficiaries: SMEs (micro-enterprises, small enterprises, medium enterprises) operating in Romania, focused on ICT; SMEs (micro-enterprises, small enterprises, medium enterprises) operating in Romania, within clusters focused on ICT; Consortia consisting of the entities defined above (either);
• Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation, and call for proposals will be opened shortly;
• For more information, click here.

Soon, two financing lines destined for employees trainings will be opened, for SMEs and large companies operating in priority sectors, such as: ITC, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy etc.

In both projects, the trainings must aim at employees’ digital skills acquiring through internal courses, recognized at company / industry level or courses with international recognition etc., such as: digital / IT-ICT skills, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.), network creation, programming, operating systems, cybersecurity, data center, data storage, databases, web design or ANC accredited courses.
It can also finance the evaluation and certification of professional competencies in the IT field, in order to obtain certificates recognized at company’s level (eg. Microsoft, Linux, Cisco, Oracle certification etc.).

1. Projects for large companies employees trainings:

• The maximum value of a project is 500.000 euros with a non-refundable value of 250.000 euros (50%);
• Only large companies operating in priority sectors, such as: IT&C, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy etc. can apply. You can consult the complete list of funded CAEN codes here.
• Courses must be attended by a minimum of 75 employees with an individual employment contract working outside Bucharest-Ilfov region.
• A project’s implementation period is up to 18 months.
• For more information click here.

2. Projects for SME employees trainings:

• The maximum value of a project is 1.000.000 euros;
• Only business associations, chambers of commerce and employers’ organizations that will organize courses for employees of SMEs operating in priority sectors can apply – find the complete list of CAEN codes for priority sectors here.
• Courses must be attended by a minimum of 250 employees with an individual employment contract working outside Bucharest-Ilfov region.
• A project’s implementation period is up to 18 months.
• For more information click here.

We present below a short summary of the most important financing lines open for submission or to be launched, addressed to both large enterprises and SMEs or other types of organizations.

1. Projects for large companies (with over 250 employees, and a turnover of more than 50 million euros):

• Financing line for development of digital and IT skills’ employees – training (POCU 3.12)
• The projects’ maximum value is 500.000 euro with a grant of 250.000 euro (50%)

• Only large companies active in priority sectors, such as: IT&C, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy, tourism can apply. You can find the complete list of activities financed here.
• A minimum of 75 outside Bucharest-Ilfov region working employees  must attend projects’ activities .
• A project’s timeline is of maximum 18 months.
• Total allocation: 10 million euro;

•    Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation and the call for proposals will be opened shortly;

• For more information, click here.

• Projects for investments with major impact in the economy stimulation (HG 807)
• The eligible project minimum value is 1.000.000 euro, of which  50% non-refundable grant;
• You can find the complete list of activities that are NOT financed here.
• Investments must be made by Law 31/1990 established enterprises.
• Initial investment eligible costs:  construction works; the acquisition of tangible assets (like equipment) and purchase of software, licenses etc; rents;
• Total allocation: 145 million euro annual budget;
• Call status: open.
• For more information, click here.

• Projects for SMEs and other organizations:

• Financing line for SME employees’ trainings (POCU 3.12)
• The projects’ maximum value is 1.000.000 euro, of which 85% to 100% non-refundable grant;
• Only business associations, chambers of commerce and employers’ organizations can apply, in partnership with other relevant entities (for example: trade unions and / or training providers);
• Only employees from SMEs that carry out their activity in priority sectors’ trainings are funded – you can find the complete list of financed activities here.

• A minimum of 250 outside Bucharest-Ilfov region  working employees  must attend the training.
• A project’s timeline is of maximum 18 months.
• Total allocation: 20 million euro;
• Call status: the draft guide is under public consultation and the call for proposals will be opened shortly;
• For more information, click here.
• Financing line for large investment dedicated to SME-s (POR 2.2)

• The projects’ value is between 2.000.000 and 6.000.000 euro, of which 60% to 70% non-refundable grant;
• Only SMEs (up to 250 employees and up to 50 million euro turnover, minimum 1 year old and recorded operating profit (> 0 lei) in the fiscal year prior to the submission of the financing application) can apply;
• The project investment must be made in urban areas, in any region, except Bucharest-Ilfov (with the exception of medium-sized companies that can make investments in rural areas);
• The investment must be in an eligible field of activity, main or secondary – see the list of activities financed here.
• Total budget: 150 million euro – with the possibility of up to 550 million euro additional allocation;
• Call status: the draft guide is published in consultation and call for proposals will be opened shortly.
• For more information, click here.

• Financing lines announced following the draft Emergency Ordinance to support SMEs, in the COVID-19 crisis context (POC 2014 – 2020)

• Micro-grants of 2.000 euro for categories such as: micro-enterprises without employees, PFAs and NGOs from certain sectors, medical centers;
• Grants for working capital of up to 125.000 euro with non-refundable financing of 85% for micro, small and medium enterprises, from the following fields of activity: HORECA; Tourism; Transport; Events organisation;
• Investment grants of up to EUR 200.000 for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, regardless of their degree of involvement in the context of COVID, which invest in eligible areas of activity – click here; Non-refundable financing is 70% for Bucharest Ilfov and 85% for the rest of the country. For more information about this line, click here.
• More information about OUG draft, you can find here: http://mfe.gov.ro/oug-acordare-granturi-immuri/

• Projects for large companies, SMEs and other organizations:

• Financing line addressed to students’ entrepreneurship (POCU 6.13)

• The projects’ maximum value is 2.000.000 euro, of which a minimum of 70% must be setting-up-new-business subsidies and a maximum of 30% grant for the other activities of the project;
• The non-refundable grant is between 85% and 100%, depending on the type of applicant / partner;
• Eligible applicants: authorized training centres; NGOs; Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Professional associations; Trade Unions and employers’ organizations and others;
• The target group consists of Romania-resident students, doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers. Bucharest-Ilfov region students must set up their companies in less-developed regions (North-East, South-East, South Muntenia, South-West Oltenia, West, North-West and Center).
• A project’s timeline is up to 30 months.
• Total allocation: 20 million euro;
• Call status: open, with submission latest September 30^th;
• For more information, click here.

The Ministry of European Funds has extended the project submission period within the “Innotech Student” call, intended to finance entrepreneurship among students. The new period is July 22th, 2020 – September 30th, 2020.

Project’s activities will be realized in three stages:
Stage I (maximum 12 months duration):
1.1. Information campaign;
1.2. Selection of the target group;
1.3. Training – Entrepreneurial skills (ANC accredited);
1.4. Selection of the business plans that will be financed within the project;
1.5. Organizing and carrying out the simulated enterprise activity;
1.6. Carrying out internships (min. 40 hours);
1.7. Counseling / consulting / mentoring;
1.8. Establishment and start of the financed enterprises.
Stage II (12 months duration):
2.1. Reimbursement of grants related to the implementation of business plans;
2.2. Monitoring the functioning and development of the financed businesses.
Stage III (6 months duration):
3.1. Ensuring the sustainability of business plans.

Who are eligible applicants?

• Authorized public and private traning providers;
• NGOs;
• Chambers of commerce and industry;
• Professional associations;
• Trade unions and employers’ organizations;
• Accredited public and private higher education institutions;
• Doctoral and graduate schools with legal personality, including partnerships between them and the private sector / RDI centers;
• Accredited research institutes / centers, including research institutes of the Romanian Academy;
• Romanian Academy;
• Institutions and member organizations of the Regional Pacts and Local Partnerships for Employment and Social Inclusion;
• Members of Sectorial Committees and Sectoral Committees with legal personality.

Who can be the target group?

• Students, bachelor’s or master’s degree (ISCED 5-7) – enrolled, on the date of entry into operation, in the last year of study;
• PhD students;
• Postdoctoral researchers;
• Students (ISCED 4, qualification level 5, enrolled in colleges organized at the level higher education institutions) – enrolled, at the date of entry into operation, in the last year of studies.

Project implementation area:
The target group can reside anywhere in Romania. The target group residing in the more developed region Bucharest-Ilfov must set up their companies in less developed regions (North-East, South-East, South Muntenia, South-West Oltenia, West, North-West and Center).
Project’s activities can take place in any region, including Bucharest-Ilfov, if the above condition is fulfilled.

Target group:

• Minimum 300 people.

Project’s eligible value is maximum 2.000.000 euros, of which:

• minimum 65% grant for business establishment (under the incidence of minimis aid) – with a non-reimbursable financing of 100% is calculated by adding:
  • no. of established companies with min. 2 jobs created x max. 40,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 3 jobs created x max. 60,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 4 jobs created x max. 80,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 5 jobs created x max. 100,000 euros
• maximum 35% grant (for the other expenses of the project) with non-reimbursable financing of:
  • 100% for NGOs;
  • 95% for private beneficiaries;
  • 98% / 85% public institutions.

The number of established companies cannot be less than 14.
Project’s maximum implementation period is 30 months.
For more informations click here

The call for POC, Action 2.1.1. – Supporting the growth of the added value generated by the ICT sector, and of the innovation in the field through the development of clusters is expected to relaunch in the next period after an updated Applicant’s Guide, which has been submitted to public consultation, latest July 30^th.

A project is eligible for financial support if it leads to development of innovative products/services/applications that support the applicant’s internal activity, as well as products/services /applications made for other entities, in order to streamline and optimize the activity, using specific ICT means (thus demonstrating integration in various sectors of activity).

Eligible applicants:

• SMEs (micro-enterprises, small enterprises, medium enterprises) operating in Romania, focused on ICT;
• SMEs (micro-enterprises, small enterprises, medium-sized enterprises) operating in Romania, within clusters focused on ICT;
• Consortia consisting of entities defined above (either).

The non-refundable financing granted is between: 1 and 5 million euros, to which are added the expenses related to the minimis aid that cannot exceed the value of 200.000 euros. The non-refundable financing is between 35% and 80%, depending on the type of applicant, and the budgeted activities.

Project duration: maximum 12 months, with an increase of the implementation period of maximum 6 months, based on a thorough justification of the beneficiaries, or in cases of major force.

For more information, click here.

The Ministry of European Funds has extended the project submission period within the “Innotech Student” call, intended to finance entrepreneurship among students. The new period is July 1st, 2020 – September 15th, 2020.
 
Project’s activities will be realized in three stages:
Stage I (maximum 12 months duration):
1.1. Information campaign;
1.2. Selection of the target group;
1.3. Training – Entrepreneurial skills (ANC accredited);
1.4. Selection of the business plans that will be financed within the project;
1.5. Organizing and carrying out the simulated enterprise activity;
1.6. Carrying out internships (min. 40 hours);
1.7. Counseling / consulting / mentoring;
1.8. Establishment and start of the financed enterprises.
Stage II (12 months duration):
2.1. Reimbursement of grants related to the implementation of business plans;
2.2. Monitoring the functioning and development of the financed businesses.
Stage III (6 months duration):
3.1. Ensuring the sustainability of business plans.

Who are eligible applicants?

• Authorized public and private traning providers;
• NGOs;
• Chambers of commerce and industry;
• Professional associations;
• Trade unions and employers’ organizations;
• Accredited public and private higher education institutions;
• Doctoral and graduate schools with legal personality, including partnerships between them and the private sector / RDI centers;
• Accredited research institutes / centers, including research institutes of the Romanian Academy;
• Romanian Academy;
• Institutions and member organizations of the Regional Pacts and Local Partnerships for Employment and Social Inclusion;
• Members of Sectorial Committees and Sectoral Committees with legal personality.

Who can be the target group?

• Students, bachelor’s or master’s degree (ISCED 5-7) – enrolled, on the date of entry into operation, in the last year of study;
• PhD students;
• Postdoctoral researchers;
• Students (ISCED 4, qualification level 5, enrolled in colleges organized at the level higher education institutions) – enrolled, at the date of entry into operation, in the last year of studies.

Project implementation area:
The target group can reside anywhere in Romania. The target group residing in the more developed region Bucharest-Ilfov must set up their companies in less developed regions (North-East, South-East, South Muntenia, South-West Oltenia, West, North-West and Center).
Project’s activities can take place in any region, including Bucharest-Ilfov, if the above condition is fulfilled.

Target group:

• Minimum 300 people.

Project’s eligible value is maximum 2.000.000 euros, of which:

• minimum 65% grant for business establishment (under the incidence of minimis aid) – with a non-reimbursable financing of 100% is calculated by adding:
  • no. of established companies with min. 2 jobs created x max. 40,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 3 jobs created x max. 60,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 4 jobs created x max. 80,000 euros
  • no. of established companies with min. 5 jobs created x max. 100,000 euros
• maximum 35% grant (for the other expenses of the project) with non-reimbursable financing of:
  • 100% for NGOs;
  • 95% for private beneficiaries;
  • 98% / 85% public institutions.

The number of established companies cannot be less than 14.
Project’s maximum implementation period is 30 months.
For more informations click here.

Soon, two financing lines destined for employees trainings will be opened, for SMEs and large companies operating in priority sectors, such as: ITC, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy etc.

In both projects, the trainings must aim at employees’ digital skills acquiring through internal courses, recognized at company / industry level or courses with international recognition etc., such as: digital / IT-ICT skills, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.), network creation, programming, operating systems, cybersecurity, data center, data storage, databases, web design or ANC accredited courses.
It can also finance the evaluation and certification of professional competencies in the IT field, in order to obtain certificates recognized at company’s level (eg. Microsoft, Linux, Cisco, Oracle certification etc.).

1. Projects for large companies employees trainings:

• The maximum value of a project is 500.000 euros with a non-refundable value of 250.000 euros (50%);
• Only large companies operating in priority sectors, such as: IT&C, creative industries, automotive, health, pharma, energy etc. can apply. You can consult the complete list of funded CAEN codes here.
• Courses must be attended by a minimum of 75 employees with an individual employment contract working outside Bucharest-Ilfov region.
• A project’s implementation period is up to 18 months.
• For more information click here.

2. Projects for SME employees trainings:

• The maximum value of a project is 1.000.000 euros;
• Only business associations, chambers of commerce and employers’ organizations that will organize courses for employees of SMEs operating in priority sectors can apply – find the complete list of CAEN codes for priority sectors here.
• Courses must be attended by a minimum of 250 employees with an individual employment contract working outside Bucharest-Ilfov region.
• A project’s implementation period is up to 18 months.
• For more information click here.

A NEW financing line dedicated to SMEs will be open very soon, with grants between 2 to 6 milion euro, for investment projects in any region except for Bucharest-Ilfov. The draft guide was available for public consultation until May 29th, 2020.
Within this financing line, the eligible investments are:

• creating a new production /service unit (location), construction space;
• expanding the capacity of an existing unit by increasing the production volume for at least one product /service;
• diversification of a unit through products /services that were not previously manufactured in that unit.

The grant value is between 2 mil. euro and 6 mil. euro with a maximum financing rate of:

• 60% for medium–sized enterprises (between 50 and 249 employees and turnover of up to 50 million euros), except for investments made in the West region where financing is 45%;
• 70% for small enterprises (between 10 and 49 employees and turnover of up to 10 million euros), except for investments made in the West region where financing is 55%.

Eligible applicants are companies that fulfil the following minimum criteria:

• Are classified as SMEs (= less than 250 employees and up to 50 million euro turnover and / or have total assets of up to 43 million euros);
• Have at least 1 year of activity (to be established no later than January 2019) and registered an operating profit (> 0 lei) in the previous fiscal year;
• Have an investment project located, in urban areas, any region except for Bucharest-Ilfov (only medium size companies can do investments in rural areas).
• The investment must be on an eligible field of activity, main or secondary – see the list of financed CAEN codes here.
• The project must include an initial investment in tangible assets such as: construction/extension of capacity and/or equipment purchasing.

Find more details here.