The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has published a draft of the Call Strengthening the competitiveness of businesses by investing in the digital and green transitions and launched an e-consultation with the interested public through which entrepreneurs and all other interested actors can comment. It is possible to participate in the e-consultation until March 26, 2021. Responses to the comments are expected by 8 April 2021.
The purpose of the call is
- stimulating growth and strengthening the competitiveness of enterprises in domestic and global markets by investing in green and/or digital technologies through stimulating energy-efficient and/or technologically advanced production and innovative business models for the purpose of developing new competencies, increasing production, increasing exports and preserving existing ones, and encouraging the creation of new jobs
You can apply
- micro (<10 employees), small (<15 employees) and medium (<250 employees) enterprises
- registered in sector C - Manufacturing
- established at least two years before the date of submission of the project proposal
- had at least one employee in 2019
- reported positive EBITDA in 2019
- the minimum share of capital and reserves in liabilities in 2019 is 15%
- total annual operating income in 2019 amounting to at least 50% the total value of the notified project;
Amount of aid
- the lowest value of the aid is HRK 500.000,00
- maximum value is 7,500,000,00 kn
- total value of the project must be greater than 1.111.112,00 kn
Aid intensity
- 35% for medium-sized enterprises
- 45% for micro and small enterprises
- not more than 70% support for the training of staff related to the project is requested;
Eligible activities and costs are:
1. Investments in tangible assets and intangible assets (35% eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises and 45% eligible costs for micro and small enterprises)
- Land preparation and clearing
- construction, reconstruction, decoration and maintenance of buildings, business premises, other buildings and associated plots
- Cost of energy performance certificate and usage permit
- municipal contribution, prices of water and sewage connections and energy connections
- procurement, transport, assembly and commissioning of new machinery, equipment, tools, working vehicles and machinery
- procurement of project-related measuring devices
- costs of ICT and audio/video solutions (hardware and software)
- acquisition of intangible assets in the form of patents, copyrights, know-how or other types of intellectual property
2. Improving and innovating the organization of business (50% eligible costs)
- Salary costs of the staff who will work on the implementation of the project
- indirect costs at a fixed rate of 15 % eligible direct staff costs
- the costs of knowledge and patents obtained or licensed from other parties at arm’s length for the purposes of process innovation and/or business organisation;
- depreciation costs of instruments and equipment
3. Advisory services (50% eligible costs)
- Project management
- expert supervision
- development of the execution project
- preparation of procurement documents
- preparation, implementation and certification of management systems according to the requirements of internationally recognized standards
- audits to verify project costs;
4. Upskilling (60% eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises and 70% eligible costs for micro and small enterprises)
- costs of trainers’ work
- travel costs, material and consumables costs, depreciation of tools and equipment
- accommodation costs for trainees who are workers with disabilities;
- registration fees for trainees
5. Heating and cooling (50% eligible costs)
- costs related to the implementation of an energy efficient heating and cooling system
6. Promotion and visibility (50% eligible costs)
- costs of promotion and visibility
7. Preparation of project documentation (50% eligible costs)
- costs of preparation of the application form, investment study, project and technical documentation (up to a maximum of 4% total value of the project)
The aid will be granted for initial SME investments related to
- Establishment of a new business unit
- Expanding the capacity of an existing establishment
- diversifying the production of an establishment to products that were not previously produced; or
- a fundamental change in the overall production process of an existing establishment;
Application project
- Creation of new jobs
- Increase in sales and export revenues
- Introducing a new technological solution linked to green and/or digital objectives
With the publication of the Call, the final terms of application and the deadline for submission of the project proposal will be known.
Do you have a project idea and need funding? Contact us for more information and the preparation of a project proposal.
