Programme "Non-technology training and training to attract investors"

PDF Version
Name of the instrument - Local language
Atbalsts IKT un netehnoloģiskām apmācībām, kā arī
Name of the instrument - English translation
Programme "Non-technology training and training to attract investors"
Scheme ID
342
Country
Latvia
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for companies
Sub-type of instrument
Support for direct costs
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

The scheme promotes training opportunities for employees so that they can more easily adopt innovation in their companies. The focus of the programme is on the ICT sector and any other industry sector determined by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. General ICT training is available for companies working in the areas of RIS3 of Latvia. A grant is allocated as a lump-sum payment to the sectoral business association. The maximum public funding provided to one project is EUR 250 000. The funding can be transferred as an advance payment and as cost reimbursement after the completion of training. Eligible types of training include occupational courses connected to the present economic activity of the participant. The training can be provided by the enterprise itself or by external training course providers. The is no opportunity to re-use the scheme by the same applicant.

Not applicable
Level of operation
National
Name of a part of the country
Not applicable
Name of the region (for regional instruments)
Not applicable
Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
Not applicable
Relevance
Key instrument
Cabinet of Ministers Regulation Nr. 365. Non-technology training and training to attract investors implementation rules. Available here (in Latvian): https://likumi.lv/ta/id/282904-darbibas-programmas-izaugsme-un-nodarbin…
Objective(s) and target(s)
The aim of the program is to provide support for training to facilitate the attraction of investors.
Year of implementation
2016
Year of latest amendment
2020
Year of termination
2023
Operation/management
The programme is funded by ERDF under the funding period 2014-2020. The programme was designed by the Ministry of Economy. The investment and Development Agency of Latvia is responsible for the implementation of the programme. It is supervised by the Ministry of Finance as the Managing. Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Latvian ICT Association are the two main partners consulted during the design of the programme and are also direct beneficiaries of the programme who then further explore the training needs and organise training for the companies. Trade unions are only involved at the level of the ERDF Operational programme Monitoring committee which decides about the instruments (including this respective programme).Programme "Non-technology training and training to attract investors" promotes training opportunities for employees so that they can more easily adopt innovation in their companies. The focus of the programme is on the ICT sector and any other industry sector determined by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. General ICT training is available for companies working in the areas of RIS3 of Latvia. Industry associations ensure that the training meets the needs of companies and those who are self-employed. Training is also available to companies planning investment in Latvia and in need of qualified personnel.
Eligible group(s)
Eligibility criteria are defined for industry associations delivering support to companies. The associations have to: operate in the ICT area more than 50% of member companies work in ICT. Industry associations can provide support to enterprises developing innovative products in priority areas of the Smart Specialization Strategy of Latvia. The training has to be aimed at bringing about the innovation of a sort; for example, training is expected to lead to a new product, process, marketing approach, organizational structuring, etc. (within the company). Foreign companies making an investment in Latvia. "
Group(s) with preferential treatment
No preferential treatment
Education and training eligible
Occupational courses connected to the present economic activity of the participant. The training can be provided by the enterprise itself or by external training course providers.
Source of financing and collection mechanism
ERDF and national budget
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
A grant is allocated as a lump-sum payment to the sectoral business association. The maximum public funding provided to one project is EUR 250 000. The funding can be transferred as an advance payment and as costs reimbursement after the completion of training. All costs are reimbursed after successful delivery of training.
Eligible costs
Tuition fees, costs for internal training personnel, travel costs, labour costs during the period of training, project management costs.
Volumes of funding
The overall funding of the programme is EUR 6 908 242. Information on split between periods/years is not available.
Beneficiaries/take up
Two industry associations (Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Latvia Information Technologies Association) are two main beneficiaries of the programme who organize the training for companies. Public information in the European Semester National Reform Programme progress report indicates that by 2020 990 employees of companies have been trained. Data on the split of companies benefiting from the programme in recent 3 years are not available.
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Investment and Development Agency of Latvia
Monitoring/evaluation reports available
Not available
Most relevant webpage - in English
http://www.liaa.gov.lv/en/invest-latvia/investor-business-guide/incenti…
Most relevant webpage - local language
http://www.liaa.gov.lv/lv/fondi/2014-2020/atbalsts-ikt-un-netehnologisk…
Recent changes

12-03-2020. Amendment specifying ERDF state aid rules. Insufficient detail in previous version of the regulation.

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

No changes

Sources
https://likumi.lv/ta/id/282904-darbibas-programmas-izaugsme-un-nodarbin…
On this page: