It starts at 22/02/2021 the submission of applications for the new Action of EPAnEK "e-retail" with the aim of subsidising SMEs for the creation or upgrading of an online store (e-shop).
The Action aims at subsidising SMEs in the retail sector for the development/upgrading and management of an online store (e-shop) in order to support their operation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, to enhance the degree of integration of digital technology, as well as their digital transformation and to avoid crowding indoors.
What it concerns
With the new action, the budget of which is EUR 80 million, subsidised costs of up to €5,000 for setting up or upgrading an e-shop for retail businesses and are expected to benefit More than 18,000 companies of the sector.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the action are medium-sized, small and micro-enterprises active in the retail sector (main or highest-revenue SMRs), maintain a physical shop and have been suspended for at least one day from Wednesday 18 March 2020 onwards. Businesses are divided into existing ones if they have been established up to and including 30/09/2019 and new ones if they have been established after that date.
Start Date of Electronic Submission: 22/02/2021 at 13:00
e-Submission Closing Date: 24/03/2021 at 15:00
It is noted that the Ministry of Development and Investment proceeded on 11/1/2021 to Pre-publication of the e-Retail Action with the aim of informing potentially eligible companies in a timely manner and starting their preparation, as well as of formulating/submitting proposals and opinions from them, on the various topics of the call.
Therefore, taking into account the prior consultation on the Action:
- Benchmarking is now in place to avoid problems/errors in the submission of applications for the sake of fast submission.
- The aim of the call is to target the companies that are mainly active in the retail trade of various types (MAIN CAR or CAR with the highest revenues).
- Emphasis is given to the companies that are most affected, so that companies with a large reduction in their turnover take the lead in the relevant ranking list.
- Priority is given to businesses that maintain a physical store as they are most affected by the restrictions on the movement of citizens/consumers.
- The implementation of an online store in the form of "hosting" on large and secure websites is allowed.
- The advance implementation of the e-shop is no longer required, as businesses will be given six (6) months after joining, to implement their work.
Submission of an application for funding
In order to be funded by this Action, an application must be submitted electronically to the State Aid Information System (www.ependyseis.gr/mis) to which will be attached, inter alia, the following:
- List of active activities (SMR) and printing of Personalized Information of the company through the website gsis.gr
- Solemn declarations on the fulfilment of SME status and on the fulfilment of cumulation requirements
- Tax information and forms showing the details of their electronic/formal submission.
Terms and conditions
Businesses should, among other things, meet the following conditions:
- be active in retail trade (SMR 47 and its analysts as described in Annex X) either as a main activity, at the head office or at the branch, or as an activity with the largest revenues; have LIANEBORIO as their MAIN Activity (SMR 47 and its analysts with the exception of the fisheries sector and the marketing of tobacco and tobacco products);
- maintain a physical store for the retail sale of goods, in a separate area of their home, i.e. a commercial space that welcomes and serves customers.
- have been suspended for at least one day from Wednesday 18 March 2020 onwards. Existing enterprises to have a reduction of at least 20% their turnover in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2019. For start-ups the reduction will be considered 100% in their turnover.
- submit one investment proposal per TIN.
- the total amount of de minimis aid previously received by the undertaking, including aid from this Action, must not exceed EUR 200 000 within three years (current financial year and two (2) previous financial years) prior to the date of inclusion of the proposal.
- meet the conditions for the application of Regulation 1407/2013 (De Minimis) as referred to in Annex VI hereto.
- there are no grounds for exclusion under Article 40(1) of Law 4488/2017 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 137) (imposition of fines for infringements of labour law);
- no order to recover previous unlawful and incompatible State aid is pending against them on the basis of an EU or CJEU decision.
What is funded
- IT equipment (only for new online stores and up to 30% of the budget).
- Servers for hosting applications/software required for the creation/upgrading and operation of an e-shop, with its accompanying elements (keyboards, screen, etc.) and the required operating system. Acquisition in the form of Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) is also permitted. In the case of acquisition in this form, the cost for one year is eligible.
- Computers (desktop/laptop). ‘Other technological equipment related to the creation/upgrading and operation of an e-shop (e.g. network equipment, bar code readers, printers, etc.) The cost of supplying tablets, mobile phones and televisions is not eligible.
- Software.
- e-shop design, development and management services – it will operate in 2 languages, as well as in a mobile-responsive or dedicated mobile version and will incorporate ordering (basket), warehouse (quantity of items) and secure electronic payments (redirect to a banking environment). The eligible cost is also the purchase of software in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS) if it is necessary for the operation of the e-shop. In the case of acquisition in the form of ayt?h, the cost for one year is eligible.
- Development and/or certification of a digital security policy.