- Purpose of the invitation
In the context of the finMED project, the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia proceeds to Public Call for Expressions of Interest to invite interested SMEs active in green economy sectors to test the “Support Services Tool” (Service Support Tool) with the technical support of the Western Macedonia Regional Development Fund.
The Support Services Tool is designed as an IT Tool that plays its role Decision Support System, to help the candidate/applicant SMEs to design or participate in innovative solutions in the field of green development, directing them to appropriate forms of financial resources or to financiers.
The Support Services Tool is a software tool designed to be simple and user-friendly and consists of seven (7) thematic modules (innovation, communication and positioning, green development competence, economic evaluation, market and internationalization, management and human capital, available asset assets), and is available in the English language.
Upon completion of the test, all candidates will be asked to provide information (feedback), through questionnaires, regarding the usefulness of the Support Services Tool in order to contribute to the improvement or upgrade of its current version. The feedback process takes approximately 15 minutes.
The indicative period for completing the testing process (testing the tool and providing information-feedback) is until January 2020.
The Support Services Tool will be free to try. The test consists of completing an online survey in English (estimated time 60 minutes). Candidates/SME applicants participating in the tests will receive a report in the form of advice together with the summary final results in tables and diagrams, setting out the funding possibilities for the ranking of the following terms: suitability, adequacy, compliance or agreement and consistency of the company. The on-line tests will be conducted either at the premises of the SME, or at the headquarters of the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia, which are decided on a case-by-case basis, respecting the preferences of the applicant.
- Selection process and eligibility conditions
Applicants will be selected on a “first come first served” (first arrived-first served). The number of SMEs selected will be (5) in the number. For the evaluation process, it is planned to set up an ad-hoc committee in order to ensure the correct implementation of the selection process. The committee will select the SMEs and announce the results.
To be eligible the candidate must be an SME[1] which is active in the field of green development. Also, employees/staff of the eligible SME participating in the trial must have a good command of English.
In addition, the applicant must provide the relevant signed “Declaration of Corporate Partnership” (APPENDIX I), in which there will be the agreement and acceptance of the applicant SME to participate in the testing process and provide information-feedback in English or Greek even after the completion of the test.
- Submit an Expression of Interest Request to test the Support Services Tool (paper request)
The deadline for the online submission of the Application Form (Application for Expression of Interest to test the Support Services Tool) is the 20 January 2020. Interested SMEs should send the electronic application form (ANNEX II) by email to the following e-mails:
kkoutsianou@pta.pdm.gr, i.makri@pta.pdm.gr and llazaridis@pta.pdm.gr.
The results will be published on the website of the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia, in this case https://pta.pdm.gr and will be presented anonymously during public events, conferences, etc.
[1] See related: REGULATION (EU) no. 651/2014 OF THE COMMISSION OF 17th June 2014 for the declaration of certain categories of aid as compatible with the internal market pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, article 2, section 2 and APPENDIX I “definition of SMEs”
Available on the website https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EL/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32014R0651
Read more here
Additional help files 2 APPENDIX I STATEMENT OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP FUND 3 APPENDIX II APPLICATION FORM FUND
