Enterprises

Enterprises and the Competitiveness Programme
Since 1st May 2005 the Sectoral Operational Programme THE UNION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL PEOPLE – COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAMME has become the basic instrument of receiving the EU funds by enterprises. The programme is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, large enterprises can also apply for financial support within the programme framework.

Direct support for enterprises
The second part of THE UNION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL PEOPLE - COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAMME refers to the direct support for enterprises and defines actions enhancing the enterprises’ competitiveness by:

• supporting the projects concerning the accomplishment of new investments and the investments-related new jobs creation,,
• facilitation of the access to high-quality advisory services,
  - promotion of enterprises internationalization, providing financial support for entrepreneurs taking part in foreign fairs and economic missions-related to the above mentioned fairs,
  - supporting enterprises’ investments in the field of environmental protection.

Implementing Institutions
Enterprises are assisted in receiving financial support from the EU funds by proper implementing institutions. The choice of the institution depends on the project and on the area of support of the enterprise’s interest. The implementing institutions for particular projects are:
· The Ministry of Economy
· The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development 
· The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

It is of great importance to check as soon as possible which of these institutions will be the enterprise’s partner during the project implementation. The enterprise should keep in touch with the proper institution, collect  information, and follow news on the given institution’s website.

How to select the proper institution?

The first step in order to apply for support is to identify the appropriate implementing institution. The following classification of the areas of assistance – that singles out particular measures, and then identifies the implementing institution – may come in handy when selecting the proper institution.

• Small or medium-sized enterprises interested in financial support for advisory projects (see: measure 2.1),
• Small, medium-sized or large enterprises interested in carrying out a new investment (understood as an investment aimed at creating a new product or a new production process)
  (see: sub-measure 2.2.1),
• Small, medium-sized or large enterprises interested in financial support for participation in foreign fairs and economic missions related to the fairs (see: sub-measure 2.2.2.),
• Small or medium-sized enterprises interested in financial support for carrying out investments aimed at improving their product and technological offer
  (see: measure 2.3),
• Small, medium-sized or large enterprises interested in carrying out investments related to the environmental protection
  (see: measure 2.4).