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ERDF Schemes Operational Programme I 2007-2013 ERDF Small Start-up Grant Scheme

Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Aid Scheme part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Co-financing: EU Funds; National Funds; Private Funds Investing in your future.

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ERDF Schemes Operational Programme I 2007-2013 ERDF Small Start-up Grant Scheme

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  1. Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Aid Scheme part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Co-financing: EU Funds; National Funds; Private Funds Investing in your future ERDF SchemesOperational Programme I2007-2013ERDF Small Start-up Grant Scheme

  2. Overview • The Malta Enterprise ERDF Schemes • The Small Start-up Grant Scheme Incentive Guideline • The Application Form • The Notes to Applicants

  3. 1. The Malta Enterprise ERDF Schemes The objectives for each scheme are outlined below: • International Competitiveness – to support enterprises in their market penetration efforts. • Innovation Actions (Innovation) – to support SMEs develop innovative processes, products and services. • Innovation Actions (Environment) – to support SMEs to address investment in environmentally-friendly technologies. • Small Start-up Grant Scheme – to facilitate the setting up and growth of innovative knowledge based small start-up enterprises. • E-Business Development Grant Scheme – to assist SMEs propagate the use of ICT in their daily business operations. • R & D Grants – to assist enterprises to invest in industry driven research projects to be in a better position to develop new products and processes.

  4. ERDF Small Start-up Grant SchemeIncentive Guideline

  5. 2. Incentive Guideline Aim: To support the formation of new, high value – adding enterprises that demonstrate a potential to contribute to the regional economic development.

  6. 2. Incentive Guideline To be eligible Start-ups need to be: • Created less than 3 years before the date of application. • Employing less than 50 employees

  7. 2. Incentive Guideline This Incentive is available to start-ups engaged in: • Manufacturing and rendering of industrial services, • Information & communication technology, • Research & development & innovation, • Waste treatment & environmental solutions, • Biotechnology, • Start-up enterprises proposing innovative products, services and processes, which are typically more advanced in terms of technology, know-how and skills than those prevailing in their respective industry.

  8. 2. Incentive Guideline Exclusions: • Enterprises controlled or owned by Government are not eligible for this incentive. • Assistance under this scheme will NOT be provided to undertakings engaged in: • The primary production of agricultural products • The fisheries and aquaculture sector;

  9. 2. Incentive Guideline Sector Exclusions: Cont’d • Retail Activities • Tourism Activities: i. Hotels and restaurants; ii. Travel agency activities, Tour operator activities, other reservation services and related activities; iii. Creative, arts and entertainment activities; iv. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities; v. Sports activities, and amusement and recreation activities.

  10. 2. Incentive Guideline Sector Exclusions: Cont’d • The coal industry; • The steel industry; • Shipbuilding; • The synthetic fibers sector. • Assistance under the scheme cannot be granted to undertakings in difficulty.

  11. 2. Incentive Guideline The Scheme: • Minimum Project Value: €50,000 • Co-finacing rate: 25% • Minimum Grant Value: €12,500

  12. 2. Incentive Guideline Eligible Costs: • Wage Costs • Renting or Leasing Costs • Other Costs

  13. 2. Incentive Guideline Eligible Costs: • Wage costs (25% of cost for up to two years) The wage costs (as per Final Settlement System) of employees, including the employer’s share of National Insurance, are eligible for funding. The beneficiary must retain the jobs assisted for a minimum of 36 months from the recruitment date.

  14. 2. Incentive Guideline Eligible Costs: • Renting/leasing of equipment and production facilities (25% of cost for up to two years). Part-financing will be awarded for renting or leasing of: equipment that is required by the enterprise to operate, private production premises, so long as these are NOT rented or leased from enterprises or shareholders that are linked (or associated) to the applicant. • Other Costs (25% of cost for up to two years) Part-funding will also be available to cover; water and electricity, legal services, consultancy and administrative services directly related to the setting up of the enterprise. Such advisory services must be subcontracted.

  15. 2. Incentive Guideline Additional Provisions: The following additional provisions shall apply to any costs that may be supported through this incentive: i. All funding will be based on reimbursement of eligible costs; ii. All funding must be relative to cost incurred by the applicant after the aid is granted;

  16. 2. Incentive Guideline Additional Provisions: cont’d iii. All costs must be incurred within the first five years of the creation of the enterprise; iv. The beneficiary must have a total employment of at least 3 full-time employees (or 3 FTEs) within 12 months from the date the aid is approved, otherwise any approved assistance will have to be revoked. v. Employment aided through other schemes will not be eligible (double funding).

  17. ERDF Small Start-up Grant SchemeApplication Form

  18. 3. The Application Form The Application Form structure: • Applicant Details • Project Details • Horizontal Priorities • Annexes • Personal Data Protection • Decleration • Notes to the Application Form

  19. 3. The Application Form Applicant Details: • Thorough description on the applicant & corresponding contact details, • Name of applicant, registered address of applicant, applicant’s telephone number/s, applicant’s e-mail, website (URL), VAT number, • Type of enterprise; self-employed/co-operative/registered company/partnership, • Registration/identification number, • Year established, • Number of employees, • Date submitted, • Outline of core business activities, • Description of plans/projects for the next two years which will contribute towards the growth/expansion of the start-up.

  20. 3. The Application Form Start-up Project Details • Thorough description of the start-up project, • How it will be implemented from an internal human & financial resource perspective, • The expected benefits derived, • The novelty of the start-up project vis-à-vis the industry it is working in and, • Any potential increase in employment.

  21. 3. The Application Form Section 3 : Horizontal Priorities: • Environmental Sustainability Applicants would need to prove that the project addresses issues such as carbon neutrality and climate change water, waste, air quality and nature protection were applicable. • Equal Opportunities Applicants would need to prove that the project addresses issues such as the involvement of disadvantaged groups in the project; increased participation of females, ensuring accessibility for all and family friendly measures were applicable.

  22. 3. The Application Form Annexes: • Annex 1 - Project Cost • Annex 2 - Costs Breakdown – Wage Costs • Annex 3 - Costs Breakdown – Renting or Leasing Costs • Annex 4 - Costs Breakdown – Other Costs • Annex 5 - Disbursement Plan

  23. 3. The Application Form - Annex 1 – Project Cost

  24. 3. The Application Form Annex 2 Costs Breakdown - Wage Costs

  25. 3. The Application Form Annex 3 Costs Breakdown - Renting or Leasing Costs

  26. 3. The Application Form Annex 4 Cost Breakdown - Other Costs

  27. 3. The Application Form Annex 5 – Disbursement Plan

  28. 3. The Application Form Annex 6 – Enterprise Size Declaration • Determines the type of enterprise applying, whether it is a large, medium, small, or micro enterprise and determines also if the enterprise applying is autonomous, partner or linked.

  29. 3. The Application Form Annex 7 – Audited Financial Settlements • The Financial Statements required are the latest Audited Financial Statements (full version, including the detailed schedules to the Profit & Loss Account) or the Management Accounts (Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheet or Statement of Assets) certified by a certified public accountant. • In the case of a start up not having the above documentation a business plan (which should include a Profit & Loss Account, Cash Flow Projections and a Balance Sheet) would suffice.

  30. 3. The Application Form Annex 8 – VAT Certification: • A copy of VAT Certificate should be attached to this Annex.

  31. 3. The Application Form Annex 9 –Permits and Approval(if applicable) • Show proof of permits and approvals from relevant government entities, such as, MEPA, • Projects in need of permits and approvals, should submit a copy of the application for the relevant permits with application, following evaluation, the short listed applicants would need to submit such permits prior to the issuing of the letter of intent.

  32. 3. The Application Form Annex 10 – Supporting Documentation (if applicable) • Any supporting documentation (preparatory work & correspondence), need to be attached to this annex.

  33. ERDF Small Start-up Grant Scheme Notes to Applicants

  34. 4. Notes to Applicants Call for Applications • The indicative budget allocation under this call is €625,000. • It is envisaged that during the 2007-2013 Structural funds programme several calls will be issued.

  35. 4. Notes to Applicants Application Process • Submit one hard copy (typed not hand written) of application form & annexes, • Sealed application forms, to be deposited in the respective tender box bearing the name of the call, located in the reception area of Malta Enterprise and, • Acknowledgement of receipt of application will be issued to all applicants.

  36. Eligibility Check; • Evaluation Process: • Preliminary Evaluation - 35% • Risk Appraisal • Extent of need for support • Holistic nature of project • (ii)Strategic Evaluation- 65% • Thematic priorities • a) Project Impact • b) Innovation • c) Operational Programme 1 • d) Employment • Horizontal priorities • a) Environmental Sustainability • b) Equal Opportunities 4. Notes to Applicants

  37. 4. Notes to Applicants Eligibility Check: 1. Application is complete, 2. The application fits with one of the focus areas of the aid scheme, 3. The applicant has honored/rectified any past obligations or conditions set by Malta Enterprise, 4. The aid being requested is in line with the respective State Aid rules, 5. The project complies with the laws pertaining to the actions being proposed for funding, 6. The applicant is eligible as defined in section 2 (eligibility) of the respective Incentive Guidelines and, 7. The project will be completed within the stipulated timeframes.

  38. 4. Notes to Applicants Evaluation Process – Preliminary Evaluation (35%): • Risk Appraisal - 20%: • Age of organisation - 5% - the longer the enterprise has been established, the higher the score, • Duration of project - 5% - longer projects may carry more risk, • Project investment costs vis-à-vis applicants net assets - 5% - level of financial risk and, • Commitment & capacity to implement - 5% - level of preparatory work, internal project management structures & financial resources

  39. 4. Notes to Applicants • Extent of need for support -10% - determined through the size of the enterprise & whether it forms part of a network/is a start up (the smaller the undertaking, the higher the score). • Holistic Nature of project - 5% - number of eligible intervention areas implemented in the project.

  40. 4. Notes to Applicants Strategic Evaluation(65%): Thematic Priorities - 55%: • project Impact - 25% - expected benefits derived from the project, • Innovation - 10% - the novelty of the project vis-à-vis the industry it is working in, • Operational Programme 1 indicators - 10% - the degree to which the applicant may contribute to improving the number and quality of start-ups in Malta will be assessed, • Employment - 10% - potential to ensure job retention & create possible new employment in the future.

  41. 4. Notes to Applicants Strategic Evaluation(65%): cont’d Horizontal Priorities - 10%: • Environmental sustainability • Equal opportunities

  42. 4. Notes to Applicants Letter of Approval: • Value of grant & respective co-financing rate, • Details of project & corresponding financial plans and, • Compliance with EU council regulations: • Eligible costs, • Retention of all documentation in a separate file up to 31/12/2020, • Conformity to publicity obligations, • On the spot checks by various National & EU Audit Authorities and, • The retention of equipment as per Article 57 (1) Durability of operations of the Cohesion Policy 2007 – 2013. • Only fully implemented projects will be fully reimbursed otherwise grant will be reclaimed back from the beneficiary.

  43. Thanks for your attention ingrid.vella@maltaenterprise.com Tel No: 2542 3419

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