Grant aid for small and medium-sized enterprises to implement IT projects through a voucher scheme

Grant aid under the Operational Programme "Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020

Briefly about the program:

On 31.08.2020 started the programme for grants to small and medium-sized enterprises under the Operational Programme "Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020. Candidate companies under the "Voucher scheme for the provision of information and communication technology services" will not receive assistance in the form of cash, as under most similar programmes to date, but in the form of vouchers to implement IT projects worth between BGN 5,000 and BGN 20,000, excluding VAT. The vouchers will be granted until the funds are exhausted.

The budget set for the programme is not less than BGN 9 million, which will be distributed among 450 enterprises. The expected results of the programme are related to supporting enterprises and facilitating their work in the current dynamic conditions in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Application Deadline and Control Authority:

The Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EAPME) is the controlling body that accepts and monitors the eligibility of the applications of applicants who wish to implement their IT projects. This is done through the submission of project proposals for the award of grants under procedure BG16RFOP002-2.83. In short, the voucher scheme opens its "doors" for applicants in the period from 10:00 on 31.08.2020 to 16:30 on 30.09.2020.

What is the purpose of the voucher scheme and what do you gain?

The aim of the voucher scheme is to provide information and communication technology services in order to increase the capacity of Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for competitive and sustainable business in a dynamic and fast-growing market. SMEs can benefit from the voucher scheme as follows:

1. Facilitating business access to digital know-how and technology, the specific objective here being to promote the use of new IT and communications-based business models that successfully contribute to the development of the candidate enterprise and increase its competitiveness;
2. Providing rapid support to the candidate enterprise for the implementation of activities directly helps to overcome the consequences of COVID-19. Similar support for the adoption of digital technologies will facilitate the operation of your business in the current and sub-sequent conditions of the pandemic.

Eligible candidates:

The voucher scheme admits applicants below a certain criteria. These criteria include your company:

• be a legal entity or sole trader registered under the Commercial Law;
• be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise;
• has its main economic activity in one of the groups of activities defined in the National SME Promotion Strategy 2014-2020 as high-tech, medium-high-tech, low-tech and medium-low-tech industrial production or knowledge-intensive services..

There are also specific criteria related to the circumstances surrounding the ineligibility of the applicants, some of which include that they are not bankrupt, not in insolvency proceedings, not in liquidation, not party to an out-of-court settlement with their creditors under Article 740 of the Commercial Law and not in business interruption. They must also not have a criminal conviction or a court decision that has entered into force, be liable for taxes and compulsory social security contributions, etc. It is important to note here that the approved applicants will be subject to checks on the above circumstances.

The application is made by the SME submitting a project proposal under the voucher scheme electronically. The process consists of filling in a web-based application form, which must be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents via the ISUN 2020 system, using only a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). The documents to be attached to the form include a number of declarations of minimum aid, circumstances, etc.

Nominal value of the voucher, eligible costs and funding activities:

Financing under the scheme takes the form of vouchers with a nominal value, which are of 2 types:

• • vouchers (90 pieces) - web-based services - platforms, web-sites and/or mobile applications, with a fixed value of BGN 5,000 excluding VAT for users of the services who have VAT registration, and for those who do not, the value is BGN 6,000 including VAT;
• • vouchers (360 pieces) - services related to digital marketing, process optimisation and/or cyber and information security, with a fixed value of BGN 20 000 excluding VAT for users of the services with VAT registration, and BGN 24 000 including VAT for those without.

Regarding the eligible costs for ICT services, the above-mentioned two types of service vouchers are included, as well as ICT services under the project proposal of the applicant, corresponding to the ICT services in the subject of the contract with the ICT provider.

It is important to note that the eligible costs must be reflected in the accounting records of the applicant company and should not be financed by another project, financial scheme or other programme financed by public funds of the national or European budget.

Validity of the voucher:

The voucher is valid for a period of 9 months immediately after the date of issue. During this period, the enterprise shall obtain: a licence or any document signifying ownership and use of the ICT module; a report certifying that the ICT system and applications have been implemented; and a technical passport or other equivalent document.

How can we help you?

The team of KGK Law Firm The KGK Law Firm team is available throughout the application process for the above program. The services that we can assist you with include: researching your eligibility as an applicant and preparing the necessary statements in this regard; preparing all the necessary documents for applying for the programme; completing and preparing the online application form. Also, KGK Law Firm assists through all stages of the verification by the IANMS. Our goal is to maximize your results with the prepared project under the "Voucher scheme for the provision of information and communication technology services".