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Jiří Dvořák | March 23, 2023

Upcoming calls of the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness

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By the end of March, the Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to announce new calls under the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness, which will be aimed at supporting business activities and increasing competitiveness through the purchase of consulting services to support raising the digital level of small and medium-sized enterprises.

OP TAC: Counselling – Call I.

What is the aim of the call?

The call is aimed at supporting entrepreneurial activities and increasing the competitiveness of SMEs through the purchase of consultancy services.

When can applications for support be submitted?

The call is announced for 27 March 2023 and the receipt of applications is expected to start on 17 April 2023.

What are the supported activities?

The subsidy will be provided for the purchase of the services of consultants, specialists and experts with the aim of:

  • obtaining new certificates required for business and industry,
  • preparing water management assessment of industrial enterprises according to the Methodology of Water Use Assessment at the Enterprise Level.

Who can apply for a subsidy?

Beneficiaries of the subsidy may be small and medium-sized entities doing business in the Czech Republic.

What is the form and amount of support?

The total allocation of the call is CZK 80 million. Information on the minimum amount of the grant and the method of financing will be published together with the call announcement. Based on the experience of previous calls, a support rate of up to 50% and a subsidy of up to CZK 1 million per project can be expected.

OP TAC: Virtual Enterprise - Call I.

What is the aim of the call?

The aim of the call is to support the digital upgrading of SMEs by supporting the purchase and implementation of advanced non-manufacturing digital technologies that will help the business to go digital. The support is therefore focused on investments or acquisition of new services in the field of information and communication technologies, especially software and hardware leading to automation, digitalization of data or more efficient interconnection and management of company processes.

When can applications for support be submitted?

The call is to be announced on 30 March 2023. The opening and closing dates for the receipt of applications will be specified together with the announcement of the call.

What are the supported activities?

A detailed list of supported activities will be published together with the call. In the previous call announced within the framework of the National Recovery Plan, subsidies were provided for activities, the main content of which was investment or acquisition of ICT products and services (e.g. investment in SW, HW and other machinery and equipment directly related to ICT or the use of ICT solutions provided in the form of services including expert consultancy services for the design, implementation and management of ICT in the organisation including related processes):

  • supporting the digital transformation of the company,
  • logistics and warehouse technologies and other non-manufacturing technologies,
  • intra-company connectivity (including sensor networks),
  • cybersecurity,
  • one-time training (certification process) and the necessary tools required to obtain international certifications in IT and environmental sustainability of buildings,
  • BIM and CDE systems provided as a service for creating digital models in construction and related fields,
  • creation of a digital twin or a similar study to verify the implementation of the digital transformation process.

Who can apply for a subsidy?

Small and medium companies will be eligible applicants.

What is the form and amount of support?

Support will be provided under the de minimis regime. The specific amount of support will be published together with the call.

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Grant Thornton Advisory applies a complex and systemic approach in the area of subsidy consulting. We deal with management of the project portfolio from the perspective of possible subsidy opportunities.

Subsidy analysis

At the beginning, there is always a thorough subsidy screening, which will compare the portfolio of the client’s possible projects with the current as well as the expected options for financing. The analysis focuses on Czech as well as European subsidy programmes, as well as on other types of financing (such as for example loans). The analysis is addressed with an agile attitude, with workshops with the client being organised in the meantime, where the options and possible alternatives for how to approach the projects are discussed.

Consultation and monitoring

The subsidy analysis will specify potential projects, priorities and action steps. Subsequent consultations and monitoring according to the specified action steps will be resolved operatively by means of monthly reports according to the needs and schedule of the projects and the subsidy calls.

Submitting an application

At the time of the decision to submit applications for the given project, we will provide complete preparation of the application including supplements, communication with the provider and we will define the necessary cooperation on the part of the client (such as for example the preparation of project documentation, permits, energy assessments etc.).

Subsidy administration

In case of a successful application, we also offer services of subsidy administration in the course of the project. Preparation of requests for change, requests for payment, reports on realisation, communication with the provider, and after the completion of the project reports on maintainability as well.

All supported projects must also be addressed from a public procurement perspective. In case of need, it is possible to arrange support in this area as well.

In case you are interested in subsidies or preparing and submitting project applications, we are at your service.

Please contact Jiří Dvořák, Senior Manager | Advisory, Infrastructure, jiri.dvorak@cz.gt.com.

Author: Jiří Dvořák