EU supports innovative ideas
Entrepreneurs with innovative ideas may count on funds from the EU. The total of EUR 16 billion will be earmarked for the development of companies in the years to come. Grants for research and development works, research infrastructure and implementation of innovations are planned mostly under Regional Programmes for individual voivodeships, as well as Smart Growth and Eastern Poland Programme.
EU funds help to finance the most advanced projects related to the dynamic development of companies, introduction of advanced technologies, processes and innovations. The support applies mainly to research works, creation of research infrastructure, use of research results in the enterprise and creation of innovative products.
An innovative project may be, for example, the creation of a new or enhanced product or service, introduction of new production method in the enterprise which may be supplemented with innovation involving changed work organisation in the enterprise and employment of new method of product promotion, says Anna Misiołek, President of the Management Board of Abbeys.
Innovative solution may result from own creativity of the company, research and development activities of the company or cooperation with other entrepreneurs or institutions.
What is interesting is that an innovative project, as understood by the author of the idea, is not always treated in the same way during the co-financing procedure.
The greater reach the project has (in terms of region or country), the greater the chances for support are. What is also important is the time in which the new solution is to be launched. The shorter, the better, as this proves the innovative application of a given idea, but the schedule for project execution must obviously be adapted to the nature of the venture (additional time earmarked for obtaining necessary permits, etc.). Sometimes the criteria state that the project must be completed in 3 years, however, the expenses must be basically incurred by the end of 2023 at the latest.
An innovative project may be, for example, the creation of a new or enhanced product or service, introduction of new production method in the enterprise which may be supplemented with innovation involving changed work organisation in the enterprise and employment of new method of product promotion, says Anna Misiołek, President of the Management Board of Abbeys.
Projects matching regional specialisations, contributing to the creation of new (sustainable) jobs, distinguished by the level of innovativeness, contributing to the development of export (increase of competitiveness on an international scale) and completed in selected territorial areas (e.g. characterised with higher unemployment, lower entrepreneurship) may be supported under regional programmes.
For example, if a company needs grants for research works that are consistent with national smart specialisations, it may benefit from the support under the Smart Growth Programme (list of national specialisations is available at www.smart.gov.pl). If an enterprise does not fit this list, it may fit the regional list of smart specialisations (their list is available at the website of the regional programme for a given voivodeship), and the support may be obtained from the regional programme.
The company that intends to implement innovations may benefit from the Eastern Poland Programme or voivodeship programmes. The co-financing from the Eastern Poland Programme is available to companies from the following voivodeships: Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie. The funds are intended for the creation of innovative products and services.
The co-financing applications may be submitted at marshal’s offices or institutions that deal with these tasks. You can ask consultancy companies to help you with writing the application and preparing relevant documents.
