GUIDE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTREPRENEURS

European Funds 2014 – 2020

Poznań, November 2013

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As the new financial perspective of the European Union covering years 2014-2020 is approaching, we have prepared a guide for you presenting the most important information regarding the European funds in this period.

The multiannual development strategy “Europe 2020” assumes that actions taken by EU will contribute to supporting “intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth”. Poland is going to acquire almost 106 billion euro for realisation of objectives included in the national strategy, which makes it the largest beneficiary of the European means in the next perspective. According to the arrangements, the support will be mainly focused on such activities as: innovations, competitiveness of enterprises, research and development, modern technologies, low carbon economy and traditionally – agriculture.

Currently the European Funds for the next perspective are prepared to be shared. New rules and investment system of the Europeanmeans are being created. Within the cohesion policy five thematic national programmes and one transregional programme will be realised, with the Regional Development Ministry being responsible for that. Boards of particular voivodeships will be responsible for realising 15 regional programmes. The budget of the Mazowieckie voivodeship is defined under different rules as it has left the group of the underdeveloped regions. Two programmes relating to: the development of rural areas and development of marine areas and fisheries will belong to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The final shape of particular programmes is not clear yet, however initial project documentation regarding majority of them is already available. This guide has been compiled basing on it and is aiming to present the main areas that will be supported.

EU support is particularly essential from the point of view of small and medium enterprises. Regardless of the fact that entities from SME branch are a driving force of the European economy, they repeatedly face problems with financing their investments. It is difficult for entrepreneurs to undertake development activities in turbulent economic conditions, therefore support from the EU funds is priceless.Thanks to such support ambition, resourcefulness and ingenuity of Polish entrepreneurs can become the basis of innovative and competitive Polish economy.

As a company supporting entrepreneurs’ activities we are aware that conducting business activity is a tough challenge. In order to acknowledge you with the possibilities of acquiring EU funds in the next years, we have prepared the following guide. The guide includes the most essential information regarding fields of activity supported in the new perspective. This guide is also an element of the consequent policy of our company which offers support at each stage of EU means acquisition.

We do hope that your ideas connected with our experience in acquiring EU means will allow to plan and successfully realise manifold investments.

DC Centrum Team

INTRODUCTION

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CONTENT

INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................................

CONTENT .....................................................................................................................................................................

PROGRAMME DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................................................................

ACTIVITY FIELDS1. Renewable energy sources .................................................................................................................................2. Introducing energy-efficient solutions by enterprises .....................................................................................3. Reducing pollution from enterprises .................................................................................................................4. Supporting R&D activities ..................................................................................................................................5. Building internet network infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 6. Internationalisation of enterprises ....................................................................................................................7. Creating and developing enterprises .................................................................................................................8. Implementing modern ICT in enterprises .......................................................................................................9. Improving competitiveness of enterprises .......................................................................................................10. Processing and marketing of agricultural products .......................................................................................

ABOUT US ....................................................................................................................................................................

CONTACT ......................................................................................................................................................................

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PROGRAMME DOCUMENTS

The guide has been compiled basing on drafts or initial drafts of programme documents, therefore the final form may differ from the current one. Documents specifying main assumptions and possible activities have not been prepared yet in: Podkarpackie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships, therefore they have not been included in this guide. Presented information relating to the planned interventions may differ depending on a particular programme.

Below you will find a list of documents referred to while creating this guide:

No. Name of the programme document Date prepared

NATIONAL AND TRANSREGIONAL PROGRAMMES

1. Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment - draft 26.08.2013

2. Operational Programme Intelligent Development - draft September 2013

3. Operational Programme Knowledge, Education and Development - draft 06.09.2013

4. Operational Programme Digital Poland - draft 02.10.2013

5. Operational Programme Eastern Poland - draft September 2013

6. Operational Programme Technical Assistance - draft 30.08.2013

7. Operational Programme Fisheries and Maritime - draft 29.08.2013

8. Rural Areas Development Programme - initial scope 16.04.2013

REGIONAL (VOIVODESHIP) PROGRAMMES

9. ROP of Dolnośląskie Voivodeship 2014-2020 - draft 25.10.2013

10. Kujawsko-Pomorski ROP 2014-2020 – draft 19.06.2013

11. ROP of Lubelskie Voivodeship 2014-2020 - draft October 2013

12. Assumptions of ROP – Lubuskie 2020 April 2013

13. ROP of Łodzkie Voivodeship 2014-2020 – initial draft October 2013

14. ROP for Małopolskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 – initial draft 18.07.2013

15. Draft of ROP of Mazowieckie Voivodeship 2014-2020 – current stage of works 25.09.2013

16. ROP of Opolskie Voivodeship 2014-2020 July 2013

17. Assumptions of ROP of Podlaskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 9.09.2013

18. Outline of the draft ROP for Pomorskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 7.06.2013

19. Draft ROP of Śląskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 16.04.2013

20. ROP of Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 May 2013

21. Wielkopolski ROP for 2014-2020 11.10.2013

22. ROP of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 - draft 25.10.2013

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 1. Renewable energy sources

The programmes assume support for activities relating to the use of renewable energy sources, such as: wind, solar and geothermal energy, biomass and biogas for production of electrical and thermal energy. The basic objective of all activities in this field is increasing the use of energy coming from environmentally friendly sources.

There are activities planned supporting investments based on renewable energy sources, where aid will be mainly directed to build energy-generating sources and infrastructure enabling its reception.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• building and developing infrastructure for production, processing and storage of energy coming from renewable sources (e.g. building wind farms,

biogas or biomass installations, purchasing or modernising devices necessary to build such installations)• building/ developing transmission and distribution networks• enterprises’ investments in plants for production of devices using renewable energy sources.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Infrastructure and Environment. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional programmes in the following voivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 2. Introducing energy-efficient solutions by enterprises

Activities aiming at the promotion of energy efficiency in enterprises. Planned support will be directed to realisation of projects connected with application of energy-efficient production technologies and implementing energy management systems. Energy consumption in enterprises, in particular in production branch, should be decreased as a consequence of activities leading to optimisation of energy consumption, e.g. through decrease of losses in the industry.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• modernisation of production lines into more energy efficient• rationalisation of production by application of energy-efficient technologies• introducing energy management systems• conducting energy audits• purchasing installations or devices aiming at limiting energy consumption • building, modernising or equipping: energy, thermal and water supply systems in order to decrease losses of: electrical and thermal energy as well as water.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Infrastructure and Environment. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 3. Reducing pollution from enterprises

Within this field support is planned for activities aiming at lowering gas and dust emission from enterprises into atmosphere. Aid will be mainly directed to SMEs conducting production activity and implementing modern, low-emission technologies contributing to the improvement of air quality.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• installation or modernisation of dust extraction and gas filtration devices• introduction or modernisation of production lines leading to limitation of dust and gases emission• changing carbon sources of thermal energy into environmentally friendly sources.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Infrastructure and Environment. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 4. Supporting R&D activities

Support is planned for enterprises launching or developing R&D activity. Complex assistance with realisation of such projects will include all realisation stages, together with commercialisation of work results. Also activities promoting science and business cooperation are planned. The planned intervention should result in: increasing enterprises’ investments in research, strengthening links between science and economy, growth in implementing innovative technologies and solutions in enterprises.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• conducting research and development works• technology credit for implementing results of R&D works• stimulating links between science and business – innovation vouchers• financing the implementation of available results of R&D works (e.g. purchasing results of R&D works, purchasing technology,

intellectual property rights)• creating and developing R&D departments in enterprises.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programmes: Infrastructure and Environment as well as Intelligent Development. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in the national programme Eastern Poland and in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 5. Building internet network infrastructure

Planned activities aim at limiting territorial differences in access to high speed broadband internet. Assistance in this area will be directed to projects connected with building, developing and rebuilding access networks. Also investments relating to supplementing current telecommunication infrastructure will be supported.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• building access networks to backbone networks and local broadband networks.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Digital Poland. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Lubuskie and Wielkopolskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 6. Internationalisation of enterprises

Support is planned for entrepreneurs eager to increase the activity in foreign markets, for example strengthening export orientation. Intervention will in particular mean co-financing participation fees in exhibitions, fairs and economic missions. Using consulting services on foreign expansion will also be promoted.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• creating export strategies• promoting enterprises in foreign markets• creating and implementing new business models aiming at internationalisation• enterprises’ participation in exhibitions, fairs and economic missions.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Intelligent Development. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in the national programme Eastern Poland and in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 7. Creating and developing enterprises

It is planned to promote entrepreneurship through the realisation of activities assisting people who are going to launch business activity. Support will mean increasing availability of financial means devoted to creating new enterprises and securing assistance at initial stages of business activity. Moreover, activities aiming at creating new workplaces in existing enterprises are planned.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• advisory and training support for natural persons planning to launch business activity• non-repayable and repayable financing for persons launching business activity (loans, non-repayable grants)• bridge financing at the initial stage of enterprises’ activity.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programmes: Intelligent Development and Rural Areas Development Programme. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELD / 8. Implementing modern ICT in enterprises

Activities in this field will be focused on increasing the meaning of e-services in the economy. This objective results from too scarce knowledge of digital solutions facilitating enterprises’ activity, business cooperation and contacts with customers. This intervention assumes increasing the application of digital technologies by enterprises. Supported activities will relate to the development and implementation of ICT.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• purchasing equipment and software enabling to introduce new e-services (e.g. e-invoice)• purchasing software licences and implementing modern IT solutions in business organisation and management• implementing virtual business system for SMEs• implementing sales and services management systems• launching a multimedia portal• creating employee portal for on-line human resources management• implementation, development and modernisation of IT systems in enterprises• popularisation of remote work with the use of Internet• application of ICT in relations with other entities and consumers (B2B, B2G, B2C).

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programme Digital Poland and in the eastern part of the country within the programme Eastern Poland. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 9. Improving competitiveness of enterprises

It aims at supporting activities leading to the improvement of competitiveness and increasing the innovativeness of enterprises. Investments resulting in employment growth and sustainable development of particular entities will be supported. An essential element of this field is also strengthening adaptive potential of enterprises.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• development investments (purchasing and modernisation of enterprises’ equipment, modernisation of production means,

digitalisation of business, modernisation of methods and forms of service delivery)• strengthening enterprises’ abilities in products and services development• improving management and technology efficiency• improving enterprises’ access to external financing• enterprises’ promotion in national and foreign markets (e.g. participation in exhibitions and fairs)• consultancy on development and implementation of new business models• implementing strategic management and modern business management methods• supporting the industrial property protection• supporting innovative processes in enterprises (e.g. guarantee funds for supporting innovative business, innovation vouchers)• purchasing and implementing new technologies• developing business projects with high innovation potential• expert advice (e.g. technology audits, technology consulting).

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the programmes: Intelligent Development as well as Infrastructure and Environment. Moreover, the assisted areas are distinguished in particular, regional voivodeship programmes: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniopomorskie.

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ACTIVITY FIELDS / 10. Processing and marketing of agricultural products

Activities aim at supporting processing and marketing of agricultural products in local markets, shortening the delivery cycle, implementing quality systems as well as establishing producer groups and inter-professional organisations.

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:• activities relating to introducing agricultural products into the market• projects of entrepreneurs purchasing raw material under long-term agreements with agricultural entities

or entities pre-processing agricultural products.

ASSISTED AREAS:Assistance is directed to entities conducting business activity in Poland within the Rural Areas Development Programme.

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EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONALISMDC CENTRUM Biuro Wsparcia Zarządzania [Management Support Office] has been created in order to support SMEs in their development. The roots of our company go back to 1999. We are the leading Polish consulting company offering professional advisory services performed basing on the principles of the best quality and fairness towards Clients.

RESPONSIBILITYThe cornerstone of our success is a long-term cooperation with our Clients, based on the top quality cooperation and mutual trust. As employees of a company with traditions and clear vision of development we feel responsible for our future and the future of our Clients.

BENEFITS FROM THE COOPERATION WITH USYou are welcome to acknowledge with references issued by our Clients (selected references are available on our website in the tab “Clients/References”). dc-centrum.pl/klienci/referencje

ABOUT US

Reach for grants cooperating with the most successful Polish consulting company! *

*1st rank considering the number of projects qualified for financing within subsidies for Small and Medium Enterprises in the nationwide ranking of the Most Successful Consulting Companies in 2010 and 2011 conducted by the magazine “Fundusze Europejskie” [European Funds].

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CHECK US OUT:

www.dc-centrum.pl

DC CENTRUM Sp. z o.o. [Ltd.]ul. Dobra 31, 60-595 Poznań, Poland

Phone: (61) 843 01 07Fax: (61) 852 30 18E-mail: biuro@dc-centrum.pl

Legal note:DC CENTRUM Sp. z o.o. shall inform and restrict that all data included in the said guide shall not constitute a binding offer of any services. All data constitute general information. The said guide includes information regarding expected conditions of grant acquisition that proper entities may announce in competitions in years 2014-2020. The guide has been compiled basing on publically available information. DC CENTRUM Sp. z o.o. shall restrict the right to possible errors in the said guide. DC CENTRUM Sp. z o.o. shall not be liable for neither legal nor financial consequences of decisions made solely on information included in the said guide.

CONTACT

DC CENTRUM Sp. z o.o. [Ltd.] NIP: 778-146-42-57, KRS 0000336924, REGON 301142715, District Court Poznań - Nowe Miasto & Wilda in Poznań, 8th Economic Division of the National Court Register; Share capital: PLN 104,000.00

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