COMPETE 2020 - Qualification and Internationalization of SMEs

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Name of the instrument - Local language
COMPETE 2020 - Qualificação e Internacionalização de PME
Name of the instrument - English translation
COMPETE 2020 - Qualification and Internationalization of SMEs
Scheme ID
287
Country
Portugal
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for companies
Sub-type of instrument
Support for direct costs
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

SMEs and business associations can request support for the development of different projects including capacity building projects aiming at improving the efficiency of the processes of innovation of SME, combining training of workers with consultancy services. Education and training eligible are technical and continuous training. It is co-financed through the ERDF Operational Programme “Competitiveness and Internationalization”. The amount available depends on the typology of the projects: for individual projects the maximum is EUR 500 000 (co-funded up to 50%) and for joint projects of EUR 180 000 per company to be addressed (co-funded up to 85%). The funding is provided to support staff costs related to trainers and trainees, supporting costs related to trainers and trainees (e. g. travel expenses, material, and supplies) as well as consultancy services associated with the training. De minimis regulations apply for this grant.

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
Further instrument
1. Resolution of the Council of Ministers 33/2013, of the 20th of May - Portuguese official gazette 96/2013, Series 1 of 20/5/2013, pp. 2972-2991; 2. Executive decision of the European Commission - Brussels, 5.12.2018 -C(2018) 8464 final; 3. Operational Programme 'Competitiveness and internationalisation (version 4.1)
Objective(s) and target(s)
The scheme is integrated in a priority identified as "Axis II - Strengthening the Competitiveness of SMEs and Reducing Public Context Costs" aiming to increase quality entrepreneurship and enhance the most dynamic business opportunities in innovation domains. Encourage companies to present portfolios of products and services intensive in technology and knowledge, with high added value and geared towards tradable production, reduce the constraints for the competitiveness and growth of SMEs, in terms of contextual costs, focusing on administrative modernization and simplification , bet on the achievement of the objectives of the Digital Agenda (for companies and for Public Administration).
Year of implementation
2018
Operation/management
COMPETE 2020, the Management Authority of the Operational Program "Competitiveness and Internationalization" is responsible for managing the fund and for the monitoring and evaluation of the projects implemented. SME or Business Associations (public or private) need to prepare a proposal for funding to COMPETE 2020 for approval. In the case the proposal is managed and proposed by an SME, is an individual project; in the case, the proposal is managed and proposed by a Business Association addressing multiple SME, is a joint project.
Eligible group(s)
SMEs (companies and their workers), Public Entities, and Private Non-Profit Institutions under joint projects with SMEs (Business Associations);
Group(s) with preferential treatment
- Increase of 10% of the non-refundable incentive if training is given to disabled or disadvantaged workers -Increase of 10% if the incentive is granted to medium-sized companies and in 20% if it is granted to micro and small companies.
Education and training eligible
Education and training eligible is technical training and continuous training.
Source of financing and collection mechanism
The source of funding is European Funds for the period 2014-2020.
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
Two types of projects can be funded under this programme: individual projects (to be managed and benefiting one SME) and joint projects (to be managed by a Business Association and benefiting several SMEs). Concerning individual projects: 1. Incentive: non-refundable Incentive of 50% 2. Training Expenses: between 50% and 70% 3. Incentive Limit 500.000 Concerning the joint projects: 1. Non-refundable Incentive 2.The promoter of the joint project: non-refundable Incentive of 85% 3. A non-refundable incentive of 50% to the SMEs involved 4. Training expenses between 50% and 70% 5. Incentive limit 180.000 x the number of participating companiesThe funding can be increased up to 70% of the global rate, benefiting from the following bonuses:- Increase of 10% if training is given to disabled or disadvantaged workers - Increase of 10%. if the incentive is granted to medium-sized companies and in 20% if it is granted to micro and small companies. The amount of incentives depends on the number of trainees and the duration of the training (in hours).
Eligible costs
The funding is provided to support staff costs related to trainers and trainees, supporting costs related to trainers and trainees (e. g. travel expenses, material and supplies) and, finally, consultancy services associated to the training.
Volumes of funding
- 2016: EUR 61 000 000 ; - 2017: EUR 17 000 000; - 2018: No information is available.
Beneficiaries/take up
- 2016: 2 811; - 2017: 388; - 2018: No information is available.
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Autoridade de Gestćo do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizaēćo (COMPETE 2020) (structure of the Central State Administration)
Most relevant webpage - in English
https://ec.europa.eu/esf/main.jsp?catId=576&langId=en
Most relevant webpage - local language
https://www.compete2020.gov.pt/
Recent changes

No date found. This instrument was introduced after the rescheduling of the Portugal 2020 program in 2018. The agreement between the European Commission and the Republic of Portugal was established in 2018 and new instruments were launched.

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

No changes

Sources
Resolution of the Council of Ministers 33/2013, of the 20th of May - Portuguese official gazette 96/2013, Series 1 of 20/5/2013, pp. 2972-2991 (https://dre.pt/application/conteudo/260965) It defines the assumptions of the Partnership Agreement to negotiate between the Portuguese State and the European Commission, establishing the main intervention areas of structural and investment European funds for 2014-2020.
Executive decision of the European Commission - Bruxelas, 5.12.2018 -C(2018) 8464 final (https://www.portugal2020.pt/sites/default/files/decisao_2_poci_c2018_84…)
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