The Innovative. Operational Programme Innovative Economy Bulletin. Support for entrepreneurs

Transcription

1 1/2007 The Innovative Operational Programme Innovative Economy Bulletin table of contents: pages Support for entrepreneurs page 3 Introduction pages 4-5 pages 6-9 pages pages pages pages pages page 24 page 25 Preparation for the launch. The Ministry of Regional Development (MRR) - the Managing Authority Preparation for the launch. The Ministry of Economy (MG) the Intermediate Body interview with Danuta Sokołowska, the director of the Department of European Funds in the Ministry of Economy More B+R in companies interview with Izabela Wójtowicz, the director of the Research and Development Team of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) Discussing measures addressed directly to companies What do entrepreneurs ask about What is written about the innovations Innovativeness during Open Days 2007 in Brussels News about the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) Good practices Publication is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

2 Figures Amount of UE funds and domestic means for the realization of different operational programmes (OP) in billions of (in brackets there is share in total expenses given)* Over 90 percent of funds with in OP IE have been designated for measures in B+R areas, innovations, IT and communication technologies. It is a Programme that is the most incorporated in the performance of the Lisbon Strategy. Source: MRR * Programmes for rural areas development and fishery have not been included. ** Allocation of all countries participating in the OP European Territorial Cooperation will amount to 1.64 billion. Then, domestic co-financing means of all countries participating in the programme will amount to 0.34 billion. Division of means among PO IG priorities in billions of Source: OP IE

3 Introduction Ministerstwo Rozwoju Regionalnego Bulletin about the OP IE is published by The Ministry of Regional Development Managing Department for Competitiveness and Innovativeness Programme Information and Promotion Team Wspólna 2/4 Street, Warsaw phone: (+48) Coordination: Aneta Sławińska, Joanna Zawadzka Publication is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Concept: Smartlink Sp. z o.o. ul. Kościerzyńska 7, Poznań biuro@smartlink.pl, Editing: Jerzy Gontarz Graphic design: Maciej Mazur Composition and infographics: Mariusz Mamet/Mac Map Proofreading: Agata Rokita Dear Readers, Nobody needs to be convinced about the benefits of the European funds. It has been well proven by the research conducted by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. As many as 95 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed by PARP claim that the subsidy has increased their competitiveness. Most companies claim also that the EU support has improved the quality of their products or services (96 percent), added to offer expansion (89 percent), introduced modern technologies (87 percent), lowered production costs (85 percent) and improved business profitability (80 percent). One should however remember that the money is not easy to obtain and the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) has significantly raised requirements in relation with the Sectoral Operational Programme Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises (SPO WKP) performed earlier. On 2nd October 2007 OP IE was accepted by the European Commission and on 30th October the Programme was adopted by the Council of Ministers. The Programme, templates of subsidy applications and agreements are still being particularized. We are waiting for the last ordinances enabling the launch of other measures. We already today inform entrepreneurs from which measures they can finance their enterprises. However, in order to get to know the rules of using OP IE instruments in detail, one should wait for final criteria indicating terms that should be met by a project and a beneficiary. In the next issues of The Innovative we will present measures for the remaining groups of beneficiaries. We publish the most important news relating to OP IE and we have also decided to issue information on innovativeness released in the media. Knowledge on innovations will allow entrepreneurs to understand better the Programme s specifics and perhaps this will constitute an incentive for an interesting project. We will also present the most interesting and innovative projects performed within the SPO- WKP. Their beneficiaries have gained experience that allows for planning new and ambitious undertakings. Perhaps they will try to gain support for them within the OP IE. I hope the new bulletin will deserve your credit and will be helpful in your efforts in gaining the EU subsidies for the development of new, innovative enterprises. Agnieszka Jankowska Director of the Managing Department for Competitiveness and Innovativeness Programmes We already today inform entrepreneurs from which measures they can finance their enterprises. Phot. on the cover Janusz Tatarkiewicz 3

4 Preparation for the launch Innovative Economy is not a continuation of the SPO- WKP. Entrepreneurs planning investments similar in character to those realized within the very popular activity 2.3 SPO-WKP should interest themselves in the Regional Operational Programme of their voivodship. On 2nd October 2007, Danuta Hübner, the Commissioner for Regional Policy, signed the European Commission s decision adopting the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) for realization. It is the result of multi-month work of the Ministry of Regional Development the Managing Authority of the OP IE, Intermediate Bodies and other institutions involved in the preparation of the Programme. 9.7 billion have been designated for the realization of the OP IE (EU share amounts to 8.3 billion ). The Programme postulates the support of innovative undertakings in the sector of enterprises, business environment as well as research and development. Entrepreneurs can count here on co-financing of investment projects related to the use of technological solutions leading to the implementation of new products and services, industrial designs or the modernization of ways of company management. The OP IE encourages entrepreneurs to develop R&D business and invest in IT technology. There are instruments in the Programme that enhance investment possibilities of risk capital funds and encourage to create and support innovative companies. There are also means for projects modernizing administration services for entrepreneurs and allowing to compile new, over-regional tourist products. A chance for Poland and its regions During a conference Things shape well between us we have programmes held in the beginning of October in the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Commissioner for Regional Policy recalled that Poland would be the biggest beneficiary of the cohesion policy. In the years Poland will receive in total 67.3 billion from the EU. I think that thanks to well prepared programmes Poland and its regions will fully use chances, created by the European regional policy, said Danuta Hübner. Innovative Poland Assumed results of OP IE: growth of innovative enterprises share from 42% to 52% growth of companies share in expenses for R&D from 27% to 40% growth of outlay on R&D from 0,57% to 1,5% GDP new job places in companies and R&D sector 65 newly created centres of technology transfers about 300 enterprises will use risk capital and private investors capital about enterprises will obtain support in the scope of export promotion preparing areas for 140 new investments growth from 20% to 60% of eservice share in administration equipping about of households threatened with digital exclusion with broadband access to the Internet support in the scope of electronic economy for about companies growth of the number of tourists visiting Poland from 15.2 to 21 per year Fot. MRR 4

5 MRR the Managing Authority Our problems are solved in a modern and nonstandard way. Hence, the Programme Innovative Economy has been launched as a tool for the support of research and development, for cooperation between the economy and science, said Grażyna Gęsicka, the minister of regional development. Works over the Programme has lasted since the beginning of the last year. On 19th December 2006 the Council of Ministers adopted the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) in the version including remarks made during social consultation and recommendations resulting from the ex-ante evaluation and strategic assessment on the influence on environment. On 6th February 2007 the OP IE was directed to the European Commission and one week later it was admitted to the negotiation procedure. Months of negotiations On 26th April 2007 the European Commission reported remarks in the form of a negotiation mandate which related mainly to the diagnostic part, SWOT analysis, strategic part and the issue of justifying the selection of priority axes and instruments within the OP IE, as well as OP IE monitoring indices and implementation part. The European Commission s official standpoint constituted a basis for negotiations of the Programme which lasted from 29th May to 25th September 2007 when the Polish party directed to the European Commission the Programme s text as an official standpoint worked out during the negotiations. Poland was represented by the Ministry of Regional Development as the Managing Authority of the OP IE. There were two formal negotiation rounds and many technical and business meetings relating to e.g. specific support areas, realization system and indices within the OP IE. As a result of the negotiations the final content of the Programme was established which was accepted both by the Polish party and the European Commission. Big money: for whom and for what All enterprises regardless of size will be able to use the support within the OP IE. However, small and medium-sized enterprises will be prioritized. An entry has been added to the Programme saying that at least 65% of means allocated for direct support for enterprises within the OP IE will be directed to beneficiaries of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME). Support will be available for investment projects related to the usage of new technological solutions leading to the implementation of new products and services (measure 4.4). But here the subsidy may be granted only to entrepreneurs planning innovative projects at least on a national scale or on an international level and of value (including qualified costs) above 8 zlotys and below 160 zlotys. The maximum value of support for such investment enterprises may amount to as much as 40 zlotys. The Programme supports goal-oriented projects (the stage from research to the implementation of a prototype) and projects implementing the results of research and development works (measures 1.4 and 4.1), as well as encourages companies to invest in their own research and development business and the compilation of new industrial designs (measure 4.2). There is also an offer to introduce electronic services in small companies. This money will be designated for two kinds of investment: subsidies for micro and small enterprises for the purchase of services, equipment and software (support up to zlotys) and subsidies for groups of companies wanting to build a common enterprise in the Internet. It is about projects like creating electronic purchase systems and reporting modules (minimum subsidy value amounts to zlotys). It should be highlighted that the OP IE is not a continuation of the Sectoral Operational Programme Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises (SPO-WKP). Entrepreneurs planning investments similar in character to those realized within the very popular measure 2.3 SPO- WKP will be able to obtain support within one of the sixteen Regional Operational Programmes operating in their voivodship. Training and consultative activities may be realized only as a component of an investment project, not separately. See more details about the support for companies in the further part of the bulletin. More details Already in the beginning of the year the preparations for the launch of the Programme started in order to enable the announcement of first contests on the turn of 2007 and 2008 (at first within measures in which public aid for potential beneficiaries is not identified). There are works in progress over detailed guidelines, criteria of selecting projects and subsidy application templates. The works are coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development. Agnieszka Jankowska Director of the Managing Department for Competitiveness and Innovativeness Programmes 116 key projects (investments of strategic significance for national development) of total value of 3 billion have been registered on the basis list within the OP IE. In order to obtain a subsidy, each of these projects has to meet all criteria approved by the OP IE Monitoring Committee. 5

6 Preparation for the launch About 90 percent of means at MG s disposal within III-VI axes have been designated for measures whose direct beneficiaries are entrepreneurs Interview with Danuta Sokołowska, the director of the Department of European Funds in the Ministry of Economy The Ministry of Economy (MG) serves as the Intermediate Body of 1st degree for a few priority axes of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE). What tasks does the Ministry of Economy perform with regard to this function? Is this part of the Programme, which is subject to the MG, exclusively related to measures directed to entrepreneurs? Pursuant to the established OP IE implementation system, the Ministry of Economy will serve as the Intermediate Body (IP) for priority axis III. Capital for innovations, IV. Investments in innovative undertakings, V. Diffusion of innovations and priority axis VI. Polish economy on the international market. With regard to their realization the Ministry of Economy will be responsible for the usage of public means amounting to 4 411, i.e. over 50 percent of the whole pool designated for the OP IE (the allocation on specific OP IE measures included in the MG s competences is presented in the table below.) Preparation degree of aid programmes regulating measures in which public aid is identified Ordinance/ Act Measure Preparation degree Ordinance of the Minister of Regional Development on granting financial aid by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development within the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) Ordinance of the Minister of Regional Development on granting financial aid by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development within activities 1.4 and 4.1 of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) , 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, , 4.1 After cross-governmental consultations. Planned implementation date: to the end of In progress. Planned implementation date: Q Ordinance of the Minister of Regional Development on granting financial support by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development within measure 5.3 of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) In progress. Planned implementation date: Q Ordinance of the Minister of Regional Development on granting public aid by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development within the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) for supporting the creation and development of electronic economy Ordinance of the Minister of Interior and Administration on granting public aid by the Implementation Authority for European Programmes within the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (OP IE) for ensuring the delivery of broadband Internet access service 15th June 2007 Ordinance of the Minister of Economy on financial support granted by the National Capital Fund 8.1, During self-governmental consultations. Planned implementation date: to the end of In progress. Planned implementation date: to the end of Implemented on 14th July 2007 (Journal of Laws, No. 115, item 796) Act on some forms of supporting innovative business 4.3 Adopted by the Council of Ministers. Planned implementation date: to the end of Ordinance of the Minister of Economy on financial aid for new investments of high importance for economy granted within measure 4.5 Support for investments of high importance for economy of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy Ordinance of the Minister of Economy on granting de minimis aid to entrepreneurs participating in the Passport to export programme within measure 6.1 of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy After cross-governmental consultations. Planned implementation date: to the end of After cross-governmental consultations. Planned implementation date: to the end of 2007

7 MG The Intermediate Body (IP) The Managing Authority of the OP IE by right of an agreement has entrusted MG with tasks from the scope of, among others, the preparation and selection of projects, the management and monitoring of individual key projects, the management of budget means and the monitoring of activities of priority axes III-VI. As the IP, the economy department is also assigned to compile project selection criteria and implementation system establishments. The service of key projects by MG is connected with the monitoring and supervising of correct and prompt preparation for realization of enterprises included in the list of individual projects. One of the key MG s functions is also ensuring compliance of the realized projects with EU and domestic rules, including public aid rules. The OP IE is dedicated to entrepreneurs. About 90 percent of means at MG s disposal within axes III-VI have been designated for activities whose direct beneficiaries are entrepreneurs. 65 percent of means have been designated, pursuant to European Commission s postulate, for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME). Projects within the OP IE will be realized by enterprises, as well as business environment institutions, technology parks, centres of advanced technologies, units of territorial local government and their subject institutions. Projects addressed to entities from this group include, among others, the selection of innovative ideas, their pre-incubation (i.e. creating a new enterprise on the basis of an idea), and then financial support. There are also measures planned that will make it easy for entrepreneurs to access high quality business services necessary to run innovative business. The activities will at the same time add to the increase of the number of innovative enterprises. With what implementation institutions will MG cooperate and what does such cooperation look like? Some tasks connected with the implementation of priority axes III-VI will be entrusted by the Minister of Economy to the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development which will be the Intermediate Body of 2nd degree (IP II). Tasks entrusted to IP II include, among others, the organization of project intake and assessment, monitoring their realization, the control and detection of misstatements. IP II will also gather financial and statistical information related to projects realized within entrusted measures and conduct informative, promotional and training activities about the OP IE. There are works in progress on the OP IE detailed description. When will the final version of the document be ready? Will the mandatory criterion within measure 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential remain? According to this criterion support will be granted to an investment consisting in the purchase of a technological solution used globally for the period of no longer than 3 years. Works on Detailed description of OP IE priority axes are in progress. The document will be created as the result of the cooperation of the Managing Authority (MRR) and Intermediate Bodies. In April this year the project of measure cards being the part of the document was consulted with the entrepreneurs environment during conferences in Warsaw, Lublin and Poznań. The document s postulates were also presented for public consultation via MRR website. After it was finished, MG verified and directed the version of Detailed description... within axes III-VI to the Managing Authority. Before the document is published, project selection criteria should be approved by the Monitoring Committee. The Committee s meeting will be held at the end of November this year. Then, pursuant to Article 26, paragraph 1, point 2 and 3 of the act on rules of conducting development policy, the document will be directed to the minister of regional development for final approval. Contrary to Regional Operational Programmes the OP IE postulates the support of innovations of possible short global usage period or those with the highest expansion potential as they are the most significant in modernization and improvement of the Polish economy on the international market. The aim of measure 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential is the support of production and service enterprises in gaining technological solutions of high innovativeness degree. The newness criterion of a technological solution (the global usage period of a technology is max. 3 years or the degree of its expansion in a given global business line is not higher than 15 percent) is applicable in measure 4.3 Technological Credit, 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential and 4.5 Support for investments of high importance for economy. Detailed information on documenting the fact that the criterion has been met will be included in the instructions for applicants. They will be created after the approval of the abovementioned documents. The launch of application intake depends on the Monitoring Committee s approval of the final criteria and on the publication by MRR of the final version of Detailed description of OP IE priority axes and templates of application documents.

8 Ordinances regulating the support within the OP IE postulate granting public aid on the basis of so called group exclusions; hence, they are not subject to the European Commission s notification. Fot. Piotr Waniorek/Żelazna Studio When can we expect the first contests on support for the enterprise sphere within the OP IE? In what advance will the contests be announced? The launch of the application intake depends on the Monitoring Committee s approval of the final criteria and on the publication by MRR of the final version of Detailed description of OP IE priority axes and templates of application documents. Also, the start of the application intake is conditioned by the end of works on ordinances, being the aid programmes, vital in the case of measures in which public aid is present, and by their implementation. MG has prepared projects of ordinances for measure 4.5 Support for investments of high importance for economy and measure 6.1 Passport to export. Both projects are during cross-governmental and public consultations. Most measures will be governed by the ordinance of the minister of regional development on granting financial aid by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development within the OP IE, therefore the implementation of this aid programme is also crucial. It should be highlighted that ordinances regulating support within the OP IE postulate granting public aid on the basis of so called group exclusions; hence, they are not subject to the European Commission s notification but only to the opinion of the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). Where should entrepreneurs look for information about support possibilities within the OP IE? The best source of information is the website of the Ministry of Regional Development ( gov.pl) that includes finally approved versions of specific programme documents and instructions necessary, among others, for proper preparation of investment projects by entrepreneurs. MRR s topical websites, like pl or should also be recommended. Information on the possibilities of gaining support within the OP IE is also placed on the MG s website ( and the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development website ( The list of key projects on the indicative list to the Programme that will be realized outside the contest process is also known. Could you explain to the readers the difference between the projects from the list and the projects filed by other applicants within the contests? Individual key projects are the most important investments for realization in the forthcoming years with the usage of EU means. Among them we have enterprises of strategic significance whose implementation will add to the acceleration of Poland s socio-economic development. The list of individual projects for the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment and the Operational Programme Innovative Economy was announced on 5th October this year. This ended the process of project applying and introducing changes in the list. Registering a project on the list of individual projects is a conditional declaration of its realization and is connected to the reservation of means within the Programme s budget. These projects will not therefore be subject to further contest procedure and will not compete for the means with the remaining projects. Regardless of that, a beneficiary, in order to obtain a subsidy for a project registered in the list of individual projects, has to present complete project documentation for assessment and a subsidy application; also, the beneficiary has to obtain a positive result of the formal and essential assessment of the subsidy application with required attachments. The Interviewer Joanna Godlewska 8

9 MG the Intermediate Body Allocation on measures within the competences of the Ministry of Economy as the Intermediary Body of 1st degree for the Operational Programme Innovative Economy Priority axis Measure Measure s postulates III. Capital for innovations IV. Investments in innovative undertakings V. Diffusion of innovations 3.1 Initiating of innovative activity 3.2 Supporting for funds of high risk capital 3.3 Development of system facilitating investments in SME s 4.1 Support for implementation of results of R&D works 4.2 Stimulation of R&D activity of enterprises in the scope of industrial design 4.3 Technological credit 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential 4.5 Support for investments of high importance for economy 5.1 Support for supra-regional cooperative relations The measure consists in creating favourable conditions for the development of innovative business thanks to the identification of innovative ideas (including those from the scientific environment). The measure consists in the support of projects in the scope of the creation and development of risk capital funds designated for the support of innovative enterprises on the first growth stages. The realization of the measure will allow for the support of entrepreneurs in their preparation to gain an external financing source. The measure aims also at supporting the network of private investors and increasing the awareness about benefits and services offered by such networks. The improvement of enterprises innovativeness level through supporting of the implementation of the results of R&D works realized within measure 1.4. Measure 4.1 is the 2nd stage of measure 1.4 realized within priority 1. The measure consists in subsidizing projects including technical, technological or organizational enterprises (industrial and pre-competitive research) conducted by entrepreneurs or groups of entrepreneurs. The improvement of the competitive position of companies through supporting enterprises leading to the implementation of technology and production innovations. The measure consists in granting a technological credit on market conditions designated for the financing of an investment consisting in the implementation of a new technology, both one s own and acquired, in the launch of the manufacture of new products or the modernization of manufactured products or rendering new services on the basis of this technology. The measure consists in the support of production and service enterprises in the scope of new investments and, necessary for their realization, consultative and training projects, including the acquisition of technological / organizational solutions used in Poland for no longer than 30 months. The measure consists in the support of investments of high innovative potential having significant meaning for the economy due to socio-economic influence, including the amount of investment outlay together with generating a high rate of return from the investments or generating a big number of new job places, in particular for highly qualified employees. The measure consists in the support of common enterprisers of groups of entrepreneurs aiming at the strengthening of relations among entrepreneurs, and between enterprises and business environment institutions. Allocation amount VI. Polish economy on the international market 5.2 Support for business support institutions providing pro-innovative services and their supra-regional networks 5.3 Support for innovation centres 5.4 Intellectual property management 6.1 Passport to export 6.2 Development of networks of services centres for investors and those selling outside Poland and development of new investment areas 6.4 Investments in tourism products of supra-regional importance 6.5 Promotion of Polish economy The measure consists in the support of the creation and development of business environment institutions (IOB) being the part of the network of supra-regional significance and institutions of national significance rendering services for entrepreneurs in the scope of conducting innovative business. The measure consists in the support of the initiatives realized through centres located in the areas of the highest growth potential. The aim of the measure is the framework of effectiveness of the innovation market functioning, in particular in the scope of the flow of innovative solutions through popularizing the usage of the industrial property right, including gaining industrial property protection rights. The aim of the measure is strengthening of the position of the Polish economy through promoting Poland as an attractive economic partner and a place of making valuable business contacts, as well as enhancing the size of Polish export and sales on the JRE and extending the number of enterprises conducting export business and sales on the JRE The measure consists in the rise of investment level through improving the quality of investors and exporters servicing and enhancing the attractiveness of areas for investment projects. 73 The support of investments for the creation of competitive and innovative tourist products of supra-regional character. 138 The measure consists in the strengthening of economy competitiveness through the improvement of Polish economy image among international partners and the improvement of access to information about Poland, the possibilities of making economic contacts. 78

10 More R&D in companies It may turn out that research results are good and a solution may be introduced but from the economic point of view its implementation will be unprofitable. In this case the money will not have to be returned. Interview with Izabela Wójtowicz, the director of the Research and Development Team of PARP The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development has been added many tasks connected with the implementation of the new programmes. Only from the Operational Programme Innovative Economy PARP will implement several measures. How will the functioning of the Agency change? There are more tasks indeed but we have been preparing for this since the beginning of the year. In April there was reorganization of the measures planned for implementation and new teams were created with specific tasks to realize. People who will deal with implementing of given instruments are at present busy with their preparing. Now we have to make a few corrections with regard to the fact that in autumn new tasks appeared. However, it will not be a serious organizational change. Fot. Piotr Waniorek/Żelazna Studio We try to employ people with specific knowledge and experience so that they fit better in the specifics of a given measure and be the most beneficial during the preparation of documentation and then during project servicing. We have also elaborated cooperation mechanisms between teams and with entrepreneurs. PARP is well prepared in the scope of organization. Your department will implement three measures of the Innovative Economy. Three measures that constitute two instruments. One instrument consists of measures 1.4 and 4.1 (the support of research projects ending with the implementation) and the other is the measure 4.2 (the development of R&D business in enterprises or design projects.) During the last Educational Forum for SME a discussion on innovativeness criterion flared up. Has it already been established how the innovativeness criterion will be defined in the Programme? It has not yet been specified; there are still works in progress in this subject. In a few weeks we will be able to define more precisely in what direction it goes. The criteria conception has to be approved by the Monitoring Committee. By the time this work is finished, we will talk about some projects, postulates, how this will be verified. Whereas in the case of projects related to the development of research and development business (one of project types in measure 4.2) we were against introducing such a criterion there, as we can discuss only projects that are to focus on investing in the development of a laboratory. It means that entrepreneurs need to be encouraged to develop R&D business and at this point the research subject is not a priority. It is hard to imagine the functioning of this type of a criterion when it comes to design. Here the criterion may be useful in order to exclude simple design projects where in fact we face industrial or applied design but there is no added value and this is a repetitive solution that could have been used before. For example a clothes company designs a new dress such projects should not be a priority. So a criterion relating to innovativeness should be introduced here in order to support design business initiating newness of more significance in the industry. 10

11 PARP s role Will PARP cooperate with e.g. the Institute of Industrial Design (IWP) in the scope of the implementation of this measure? In general they are complementary measures with IWP s own project which will be realized by the Institute of Industrial Design within the fifth OP IE priority axis. IWP s project is to prepare entrepreneurs for the cooperation with consultants in the scope of industrial design. Measure 4.2 is to be such a closure of entrepreneurs participation in IWP s own project. The Institute will provide both trainings and consultations for such enterprises that potentially may be interested in design. It will present benefits of employing designers or introducing industrial design. IWP s project is directed to the increase of entrepreneurs awareness and teaching them how to cooperate with a designer, what to require, what to pay attention to during the realization of a new design project. A natural consequence for the participants of IWP s own project may be elaborating of a design project and gaining a subsidy for the investment or consultative part within measure 4.2. Let s go back to measures 1.4 and 4.1. If a company works on a new solution using a subsidy from measure 1.4 and if it turns out that there are no market chances or it may be unprofitable, will the entrepreneur receive a subsidy to cover project expenses? Yes, it is already included in the programme documentation. Of course, during assessment we will try to select such projects that promise well. However, we are not able to foresee research results. It may turn out that research results are good and a solution may be introduced but from the economic point of view its implementation will be unprofitable. In this case the money will not have to be returned. So when it comes to this issue, entrepreneurs should not be afraid to enter into such enterprises. They should not be afraid that they will bear costs and then it may turn out that they will have to return the obtained means. In the case of failure in the achievement of planned results or when it will not be profitable to implement a tested solution, a subsidy will not have to be returned. From measure 4.1 one can also subsidize projects that have been elaborated within the Technological Rod (the programme Technological Initiative I.) Yes, it is an exception. In the instrument one can apply for a subsidy for the whole process from the research to the investment connected with the implementation. However, there is an exception for those entrepreneurs who have obtained a subsidy for the research within the Technological Rod they will be able to apply for a subsidy only for the implementation part. Some of such projects financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education have already been realized or are being realized. Will the intake for them to 4.1 be launched in this situation? In such a situation the rod project will be treated somewhat differently. An entrepreneur will be able to apply to 4.1 anytime after the launch of application intake, i.e. during the realization of the research part or after it is finished. However the investment part related to research results implementation must not start at this point. It is connected with requirements relating to public aid for investments an enterprise cannot be launched before obtaining information from a body granting aid about the fact that the project is qualified for a subsidy on principle. If entrepreneurs who have used the Technological Rod want to obtain a subsidy for an implementation from the OP IE, they cannot at the time start investment activities. Will PARP cooperate with the Regional Financing Institutions (RIF) on the implementation of the OP IE measures? We project that we will use RIF s assistance in the scope of stationary control of projects subsidized within measure 4.2. We do not however project RIF s participation in earlier stages, i.e. with application intake, application assessment, signing of agreements or settlement. Broad cooperation with RIFs, together with their participation in the intake, payments and control, is projected within measure 4.4. Cooperation with a promoter is not mandatory. We project it within measures 4.2 and

12 More R&D in companies A promoter will not deal with an application but with a so called project card a shortened project description. The card is to simplify the verification of the fact whether the planned enterprise and the applicant fit in a given measure. Fot. Piotr Waniorek/Żelazna Studio Promoters. They are people who will come to an enterprise, conduct something like an initial technological audit, talk with people, discuss the idea and indicate the possibility and legitimacy of subsidizing an enterprise with the OP IE funds. It has to be someone prepared for verification of an entrepreneur s idea in the scope of its qualification for the OP IE programme this is how a project promoter s role was perceived. What does this conception look like now? This quotation is more or less like the present conception. We want promoters to be competent in a given realm; they have to know the specifics of given measures and criteria. Promoters will not conduct application assessment. They will not in fact deal with an application but with a so called project card a shortened project description (basic data about tasks, projected costs, results, information about the applicant). The card is to simplify the verification of the fact whether a planned enterprise and an applicant fit in a given measure. On the basis of such a card a promoter will be able to determine whether a project is qualified in a given measure or will be qualified after proper corrections in the conception. Only after an entrepreneur has obtained information from a promoter, he or she may prepare a proper application that should be filed in PARP in the case of measure 4.2 or in RIF in the case of 4.4 (we do not project promoters in ). A promoter will allow an entrepreneur to make sure whether he or she is heading the right way. An entrepreneur after receiving a promoter s positive opinion will be able to start the realization of the project on one s own responsibility and bear qualified expenses. He or she does not have to wait for the process of application assessment to end. Cooperation with a promoter is not mandatory, it is voluntary. A consultative component is admissible with most projects. With regard to that, will the system of application accreditation function? No, it will not. An entrepreneur will choose an executor he or she would like to have. Can also big enterprises use measures 1.4, 4.1 and 4.2? This is the plan. It will be possible after the adoption of the amendment of the act on the creation of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development and an ordinance that will allow PARP to grant support also to big enterprises. What would be your message to entrepreneurs? At this point we would like to ask for your patience. Entrepreneurs should wait and follow documents appearing on MRR websites, as well as information packets on our website. It will allow them to prepare better for new projects. The Interviewer Jerzy Gontarz 12

13 Support for companies Science institutions, research and development institutions, business environment institutions and enterprises will be supported within the OP IE. This time we describe measures that can be used directly by companies. Descriptions are to bring the specifics of given measures closer to beneficiaries and check whether and in what purpose they can use them. Precise entries including criteria relating to projects and compilations of qualified. START-UPs Measure 3.1 Initiating of innovative activity has been created in order to increase the number of companies based on an innovative idea. Support for the start-up will consist of three components: consultancy in the scope of the creation of a new enterprise, opening of infrastructure and services, and financial support for the new entrepreneur. However, a single entrepreneur will not apply for assistance to PARP but institutions that will grant a double-stage support for new innovative enterprises. The first stage consists in identifying innovative solutions and checking their market potential. How will this be done? The institutions will conduct research of innovative solutions, market analysis in a given realm; they will help to elaborate a business plan and prepare a company to start business based on the innovative solution. For this stage the institution will receive up to 100% of expenses. Then the other stage of support begins. It consists in capital investment in a company created as a result of activities undertaken in the first stage. The investor is a venture capital fund operating with or within an entity receiving the support (up to 50% of shares in the created company). Capital engagement in the company cannot be longer than 10 years. The total value of aid means within stage I and II per one entrepreneur cannot exceed and in the case of entrepreneurs with businesses in road sector The other stage is a completely renewable instrument since the means obtained after leaving of the investment will be directed to the account of the business environment institution (venture capital fund operating with it) for the purpose of continuing activities in this scope. Prototype + implementation PARP will implement an instrument consisting of two measures: 1.4 Support for goal-oriented projects and 4.1 Support for implementation of results of R&D works. They are integral towards each other and one application template will be assigned for both measures. The aim of measure 1.4 is to deliver to entrepreneurs the biggest support that will enable to gain new innovative tools and products for the development of their businesses and market competitive positions. Goal-targeted projects serve this purpose; R&D works constitute their basic part. Stage I covers industrial research and development works conducted by entrepreneurs (on one s own or through cooperation with science units) to the moment of the creation of a prototype. Qualified expenses in stage I (described in detail in measure cards) include: remuneration together with remuneration derivatives of people engaged in the project realization, the purchase or exploitation costs of equipment, covering costs of building amortization, the acquisition of property right or land perpetual usufruct (everything in the scope and period in which it is used for the needs of the supported project), the acquisition of intangible and legal values on market condition in the form of patents, licenses, unpatented technical knowledge and the purchase of research, consultancy services and parallel services used solely for the needs of a project. The budget of measure 1.4 amounts to 390. At this point the minimal value for project support has not been defined for most voivodships (only in the Mazovian and Łódzkie Voivodships the bottom subsidy point of zlotys applies). Maximum subsidy amounts to 50% for big companies, 60% for medium-sized companies and 70% for small companies (depending on the region) and no more than 20 zlotys. The minimum beneficiary s own contribution amounts to 30% for industrial research and 55% for development works. Stage II supported within measure 4.1 covers the preparation for implementation and the implementation of the results of R&D works financed within measure 1.4 or from Technological Initiative (the programme realized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education) through investments (the purchase of fixed assets or intangible and legal values). The condition of project realization at this stage is the economic legitimacy of the implementation of R&D works results being the effect of the realization of research part the results of market research should indicate profitability of the implementation and technology commercialization being the subject to the project (project market potential). Industrial research aims at gaining new knowledge and skills in order to elaborate new products, processes and services or implement significant improvements to the existing products, processes or services. 13

14 Description of measures Development works cover among others: creating projects, drawings, plans and other documentation on condition that they are not designated for commercial goals; compiling prototypes of potential commercial usage and pilotage projects (if the prototype constitutes a final commercial product and its production only for demonstration and validation purposes is too costly). Qualified expenses include: the acquisition of building property right, the acquisition or cost of creating fixed assets related to the implementation of industrial research results and development works by an entrepreneur, the cost of building works and materials, the purchase of intangible and legal values in the form of patents, licenses, unpatented technical knowledge, repayments of land and building initial value excluding returnable leasing, repayments of initial value of fixed assets or intangible and legal values excluding returnable leasing. The maximum support that can be obtained for the implementation amounts to 20 zlotys. The value of qualified expenses should not exceed 200 zlotys. R&D and design SWOT analysis in the sector of enterprises operating in Poland indicates a low level of their innovativeness, which is revealed by, among others, small share of advanced technologies industry in sold production and small share of entrepreneurs means designated for R&D. Poor financial condition, especially in SME, shifts into imperceptible creation and implementation of new solutions enabling to retain a competitive market position. At the same time entrepreneurs are characterized with low awareness in the scope of the usage of industrial and applied design as a source of competitive advantage. In order to reverse unfavourable trends, measure 4.2 Stimulation of R&D activity of enterprises in the scope of industrial design has been created. Within one of the components of this measure, entrepreneurs may obtain support for the development of R&D in companies, in particular for a transformation into a research and development centre (CBR). The subsidy covers also expenses on fixed assets and intangible and legal values related to the conduct of works in enterprises in the scope of R&D. Within the other component one can obtain support in the scope of elaboration of an industrial or applied design and its implementation to the production. The subsidy covers also the purchase of training services relating to methods of implementation of new design products and consultancy services connected with the elaboration of documentation of a conceptual project, constructive, technical and technological documentation, copyright design project, preparation of the final project. The measure can also finance necessary trainings and the purchase of fixed assets or intangible and legal values vital for the creation of a test part and the implementation of the design to the serial production. The budget of measure 4.2 amounts to 186. The maximum value of investment support cannot exceed 21 zlotys; the training part cannot exceed 1 zlotys (35% for big enterprises and 45% for SME), and the consultative part zlotys (50% of the project s value). Support through credit A serious limitation in the realization of investments relating to the implementations of new technological solutions is a difficult access for SME to external financial sources and one s own insufficient means. Measure 4.3 Technological credit consists in the support for SME (big companies cannot use this instrument anymore) through granting them credits for the implementation of one s own or acquired new technology. After a project has been realized, the beneficiary applies for the amortization of the technological bonus by BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego). Pursuant to projected changes, commercial banks, by right of the agreement with BGK, grant technological credits to entrepreneurs from their own means for the financing of an investment consisting in the implementation of a new technology, both one s own or acquired, the launch of a manufacture of new products, the modernization of manufactured products or rendering new services on the basis of this technology. The amortization of the part of the credit through granting of the technological bonus amounts to no more than 50% of the granted technological value and at the same time no more than 4 zlotys. The amortization of the part of the technological credit takes place in payments no more often than twice a year in the amount of 20% of net value of the sales of products or services being the result of a technological investment confirmed by sales invoices and payment slips. The maximum support value amounts to 4 zlotys (up to 50% of granted support in the form of a technological bonus constituting an allowance in credit repayment). Entrepreneurs projects the maximum share of EU means amounts to 85% out of 50% of the total value of project qualified expenses, pursuant to the regional assistance map, however no more than

15 Support for companies Innovative investment Companies planning big investments are in particular interested in measure 4.4 New investments of high innovative potential (they are sometimes compared with sub-measure of the Sectoral Operational Programme Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises [SPO-WKP] but here entry criteria are of course higher due to an enterprise size and innovativeness level). The support is granted to investment projects connected with the usage of innovative technological solutions leading to the implementation of new products and services. The implemented technological solutions may be used globally for no longer than 3 years. The project relates to an initial investment connected with the usage of new technological solutions leading to the creation of a new or significantly improved product. There are more mandatory criteria; we mention only some of them. Market research should indicate the existence of the demand for a product or service that is to appear as a result of an investment. Financial projections have to confirm the investment s profitability and the possibility of retaining the project s results in the period required by the Programme s rules. The launch of an investment cannot start before the project s qualification is confirmed. Its beneficiaries may be entrepreneurs (SME and big enterprises) conducting business on the territory of the Republic of Poland. The subsidy may also be obtained on training and consultative activities necessary for the realization of investment projects (only as a component of an investment project, not separately). In the case of micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs conducting business in the transport sector there are no possibilities to heighten the support intensity criteria (compare with the Support regional map table). Qualified expenses (described in detail in measure cards) include: the purchase or cost of creating fixed assets, the cost of building works and materials, the purchase of intangible and legal values in the form of patents, licenses, unpatented technical, technological knowledge or knowledge from the scope of organization and management. The total operational budget amounts to 1.42 billion. The value of qualified expenses may amount from 8 to 160 zlotys. The maximum support value for the investment part (including consultancy for SME) amounts to 40 zlotys and for the training part 1 zlotys (35% for big enterprises and 45% for SME). The minimum beneficiary s outlay amounts to 30% of the value of qualified expenses for the project investment part, 55% of the value of the project training part. Measure 4.4 excludes the following sectors: agriculture, hunting and forestry fishery manufacture and turnover of products imitating or replacing milk and dairy products artificial fibres coal-mining iron and steel metallurgy shipbuilding. Support regional map The amount of the subsidy depends on a place in which an investment is located. The most money from EU budget is directed to underdeveloped regions of high, especially structural unemployment. A new map of regional support functions from 1st January It indicates how much support can be granted to a project depending on its location and the size of a company realizing it. See the support ranges in the specific regions of Poland: 50% 40% 30% lubelskie podkarpackie warmińsko-mazurskie podlaskie świętokrzyskie opolskie małopolskie lubuskie łódzkie kujawsko-pomorskie pomorskie zachodniopomorskie dolnośląskie wielkopolskie śląskie mazovian without Warsaw(to ) mazovian (od ) Warsaw GDP/inhabitant lower than 45% ~UE GDP/inhabitant lower than 60% ~UE GDP/inhabitant lower than 75% ~UE The range for micro and small enterprises increases in every voivodship by 20% and for medium-sized enterprises by 10%. For big companies (and companies from transport sector regardless of the size) there is basic support amount. 15

16 Description of measures Initial investment connected with the creation of a new company, the development of the existing company, the diversification of a company s production through the implementation of additional products, the significant change relating to the whole production process of an existing company. Investments of high importance New investments of enterprises from the production sector covering the usage of innovative solutions of high significance for economy will simplify the transfer of technology and knowledge and will add to the increase of the number of innovative enterprises. Measure 4.5 Support for investments of high importance for economy consists in the support of new investments of high innovative potential having significant meaning for economy due to socio-economic influence, including the amount of investment outlay together with generating a high rate of return from the investments or generating a big number of new job places, in particular for highly qualified employees. Preferred investments will be those realized by enterprises in the services sector, in particular connected with the launch of conducting R&D business. Measure 4.5 is divided into two sub-measures: Support for investments in production sector and Support for investments in modern services sector. Within sub-measure support will be granted to new innovative investments, e.g. innovative technologies, products, cooperation with domestic scientific and research centres; however, qualified expenses cannot be lower than 160 zlotys and the investment has to increase net employment by no less than 200 people. Within sub-measure the support will be granted to new investments covering the purchase of fixed assets, intangible and legal values and the increase of net employment by no less than 200 people, leading to the creation or development of: centres of common services (e.g. finances, accountancy, HR management, administration, bank and insurance back offices, market research) or IT centres (e.g. software development., application testing, network projecting and implementing, product optimization, database management). Within this sub-measure the support may also be granted to new investments covering the purchase of fixed assets, intangible and legal values and the increase of net employment of no less than 10 R&D people, leading to the creation of research and development centres (e.g. centres of engineer services or quality centres). It is easier together Within measure 5.1 Support for supra-regional cooperative relations the support may be granted to groups of entrepreneurs aiming at the strengthening of relations among entrepreneurs and between entrepreneurs and business environment institutions and science units. The cooperation between these entities will add to easier knowledge transfer, experience exchange, better usage of possessed resources, and the decrease of business costs thanks to the usage of common infrastructure, service access. Due to low entrepreneurs tendency to build relations, caused by the lack of awareness about benefits resulting from the participation in a cluster, it is necessary to support entities leading an innovative cluster through subsidizing their operational businesses connected with cluster s expansion and acquisition. Qualified expenses include: the purchase of fixed assets and intangible and legal values connected with the new investment, consultancy from the scope of development plans elaboration and relations expansion, the participation in domestic and international meetings in order to exchange experience, the purchase of universal research infrastructure (a laboratory, a place for conducting tests), cluster s promotional activities in order to solicit new enterprises, organization of training programmes, workshops and conferences in order to support the process of knowledge share and the creation of relation network among cluster members. The measure may be used by groups of entrepreneurs (e.g. consortiums) including: innovative clusters (also export clusters), production chains of SME and big enterprises, technology networks (SME and research units), technology platforms, cooperatives, manufacturing groups and also craft associations. The maximum support value for the investment part amounts to 20 zlotys; for the training part 1 zlotys (35% for big enterprises and 45% for SME); for the consultative part for big companies - up to (50% of costs). The level of support of operational and administrative costs cannot exceed 50%. 16

17 A patent for a patent Development of the market of innovations requires a complete usage of their legal protection. Polish and international law give such an opportunity, however as analyses indicate it is very rarely used by entities operating in Poland. The awareness of possibilities and benefits of the protection of elaborated solutions is low; a barrier for the protection of ideas constitute also relatively high proceeding costs connected with gaining industrial property rights. Poland is characterized with a small number of granted patents. Complete usage of the possibilities of legal protection will make investments in R&D business profitable and elaborated new solutions will be accessible for public with the advantage to the inventor. Measure 5.4 Intellectual property management will add to the increase of the number of applications for industrial property rights (patents, protection rights of applied designs and rights from the registration of industrial designs) filed by applicants abroad, and will simplify the realization of protection. The measure will also subsidize projects increasing entrepreneurs awareness of rights and possibilities of industrial property protection, benefits of solution protecting. Subsidies will be granted for covering costs connected with the proceedings in the scope of: invalidation of a patent, the protection right of an applied design or the right of registration; expiry of a patent, the protection right of an applied design or the right of registration. Financial assistance for the realization of industrial property protection relates to inventions, applied designs and industrial designs; it does not apply to trademarks. Support for gaining industrial property protection may amount to from to zlotys, however the intensity of this support cannot exceed 70% of qualified expenses (if the subject of an application appeared as a result of industrial research) or 45% of qualified expenses (if the subject of an application appeared as a result of conducted development works). Financial assistance for the realization of industrial property protection ranges from to zlotys. Support range cannot exceed 45% of qualified expenses. Support amount for knowledge popularization ranges from to 2 zlotys. Eeconomy Within the OP IE a subsidy fund has been created in order to support the realization of individual projects of micro and small entrepreneurs (a 2- year subsidy for the realization of a project aiming at rendering electronic services and possible manufacturing of products necessary to create such services). Support will be granted within measure 8.1 Support for business activity as regards electronic economy. The beneficiaries will only be micro and small entrepreneurs who conduct businesses for no longer than 1 year from the date of the launch. The minimum projects value amounts to and the maximum 2 zlotys. One more measure supporting the development of eeconomy has been created - measure 8.2 Support for implementation of electronic business B2B. In this case a subsidy will be granted for the realization of enterprises of technical (IT) and organizational character leading to the realization of business processes in the electronic form covering three or more enterprises. The beneficiaries may be micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs cooperating with one another on the basis of agreements concluded with at least two other entrepreneurs and planning business cooperation on the basis of electronic solutions. In measure 8.2 the minimum and maximum project values have not been defined. Within measure 5.4 a project may concern gaining of industrial property rights outside the Republic of Poland, including applying, preparing an application by a patent officer, formal payments for applying, translating, reopening of an application for an invention, applied design or industrial design. 17

18 What do entrepreneurs ask about Why in measure 4.4 an innovative criterion basing on the age of the used technology has been established? It is difficult to find a solution that will satisfy everyone. Financial instruments within the OP IE are still being compiled new, closer to final versions of the Detailed priority description appear, the Programme s implementation system and criteria of granting means for the project realization become clearer. The best testers of the created rules are entrepreneurs themselves they are the quickest to detect ambiguous entries and point out weaknesses. It can only help in improving detailed entries. During the last Educational Forum for SME, PARP experts answered entrepreneurs questions. It was the first meeting of this kind during which the Programme was discussed in such a detail. We present fragments of the discussion. Shouldn t the institution of a public observer be introduced at the stage of project assessment? In the case of measures 1.4, 4.1 and 4.2 we do not project such a project assessment formula as in SPO-WKP, so groups of people who sit and discuss. We want to deliver applications to experts who will assess them individually. We are going to organize an open intake of such experts so that every person who will demonstrate proper experience and knowledge in specific realms is able to be included in the list of experts and take part in application assessment. We count above all on professionalism of these people and on the fact that they will be able to assess applications in technological and economic terms. They will not only be theoreticians but practitioners in specific realms. Why in measure 4.4 an innovative criterion basing on the age of the used technology has been established? Today I have such a technology but when I apply in a few months, it will be used for more than three years. Talking about something that is innovative on the basis of the period of using a particular solution is hard to be assessed objectively. But is there a better suggestion? It has not been decided yet whether innovativeness will be judged on the basis of opinions issued by science units. We would prefer to leave this system and have experts assess innovativeness. Scoring will not depend often subjectively on an opinion of some scientist. It is a step forward. Thanks to the fact that we leave the assessment to experts in specific technological industries, we should somewhat improve the whole process. The three years is a contractual period. Final decisions will be made by the Monitoring Committee. It is difficult to find a solution that will satisfy everyone. Could you confirm that within instrument of the OP IE big enterprises will be allowed to apply indeed? The Particularizing does not mention them. At first the instrument for SME will be implemented since it is a legal basis already (EC s ordinance No. 70/2001 amended by the ordinance 364/2004 allowing research and development assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises). Therefore we find such an entry in the cards. But this will change. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has suggested that it should be written in measure cards in advance that support for SME within measures 1.4 and 4.1 is granted from the beginning of the Programme s launch and after the ratification of assistance for big companies we will launch support for them as well. If in the approved version of the Detailed OP IE priority description big companies are not mentioned, the card will be changed after some time and the instrument will be launched. Will there be sufficient means for big entrepreneurs? Yes, you do not have to worry since there is an indicative division of means planned between SME and big enterprises within these measures. It is more or less half by half. Even if this instrument will be first launched for SME, the budget will not run out. Money for big enterprises will be secured, 18

19 Educational Forum for SME My question relates to big companies planning investments supported within measure 4.4. I understand that big companies will not be able to purchase used fixed assets. Does it also relate to properties, so buildings that are not new? This rule applies to fixed assets other than buildings. Could you specify how within measure 4.4 a new product is defined since this definition of investment has changed now there is a requirement that within implementation a new or significantly changed product should be created. For whom the product is to be new for the market or the enterprise? With regard to the target market for the product being the result of an investment. I already have a ready project. Since when the expenses planned in it will be qualified? Can I start to realize the project and count on the support just after applying? Unfortunately you can do it only after receiving the confirmation about project qualification. The solution to the problem may be a different way of announcing a contest. If you are informed that e.g. the application round is to be announced in four months, you will have enough time to conduct analyses and gain the confirmation of project qualification. My question relates to the implementation system. It has been mentioned that project promoters would be introduced into the system. What does this situation look like today and who will have the role of a promoter and on what grounds? This conception is still being compiled. PARP has passed its suggestions and we are waiting for the decision of the Managing Authority and the Intermediate Bodies. Such promoters are projected in measure 4.2 and 4.4. There would be several dozen promoters all around the country and the system of assessment of their qualifications in specific realms would function. They should be people who would be able to assess on the basis of a project card and conversations with an entrepreneur whether a given technology is new and whether projects fit in a measure. After receiving a positive project assessment on the basis of the project card the entrepreneur would be able to bear qualified costs and realize the project. The promoter would give green light. He or she would also possibly state that a project does not fit in a given Programme as a whole or it does not meet the criteria; or it would be pointed out that after some corrections or updates the project might qualify. When will we get to know the dates of applying? Will we have enough time to search innovative technologies and confirm project qualification? We do not know that yet. Probably some measures for enterprises will be launched in the first quarter of We are already well prepared institutionally. Proper legal acts taking into account all changes of the Detailed priority description still have to appear. We understand your impatience but we would not like to give dates on spec. The minimum project value: 8 zlotys what does it mean? Does it apply to the stage of projecting, applying or final settlement? If I know that the assessing people are aware of the fact that I can be wrong, then I can be seriously wrong. I can write a project for 8.2 but in reality it would be 3.5 because I was wrong. Can I be wrong like that? An entrepreneur estimates costs at the stage of preparing the application and they should be based on a solid market analysis. If at the stage of settlement it turns out that the real costs were lower than 8 zlotys, each such a project will be individually analyzed. If it turns out that changes of prices, rates of exchange or other factors were independent of the entrepreneur and could not be projected, we will recommend that such problems should be solved in favour of the beneficiary. If it however turns out that an entrepreneur already at the stage of projecting overestimates costs on purpose, and then spends less in reality and it could have been projected, the support may not be granted in such situations. Will you oblige the experts assessing innovative applications to justify negative decisions in writing with at least one page long opinion? Of course. We would not like to be in such a situation when an expert will tell us that this project is no good because it is not. We will have a problem as we would not be able to justify it to you. We will expect from experts a justification of every opinion. They cannot be arbitral decisions. Noted by: KR and JG When will we get to know the dates of applying? We do not know that yet. Probably some measures for enterprises will be launched in the first quarter of

20 What is written about innovations 95 percent of surveyed by PARP entrepreneurs claim that the subsidy has improved their competitiveness on the market. We designate only 0.57 percent GDP on research and development works on new technologies and products and Poland is one of the least investing in modernity EU countries. Supporting efforts of companies creating new technologies is sensible. Fot. JG/Smartlink EU money brought measurable results Companies that have gained the EU subsidy for investments leave competition behind. The results of structural funds support have gone beyond entrepreneurs and officials expectations. As many as 95% of entrepreneurs surveyed by PARP claim that the subsidy has improved their competitiveness. Most of them state also that the support has improved the quality of their products or services (96% of answers), added to offer expansion (89%), introduced new technologies (87%), lowered production costs (85%) and increased business profitability (80%). Company investment potential has grown (51%) and the brand has become more popular (47%). The EU subsidy has also influenced the increase of employment from December 2005 to June 2007 thanks to the subsidy the number of employees in a company has grown by 12 people on average (from 73.7 to 85.9) percent of surveyed companies state that putting effort in gaining of the subsidy has been worth it. Source: Puls Biznesu, no. 213, Author: Jacek Kowalczyk Economy in innovative collapse We are the third country in the European Union with regard to the number of university graduates; we educate tens of thousands of engineers and specialists of other realms. And we use this potential very poorly Rzeczpospolita esteems. In patent statistics, high-tech products export, innovativeness we are on one of the last EU s places. We designate only 0.57 percent GDP on research and development works on new technologies and products and Poland is one of the least investing in modernity EU countries. It overtakes only Slovakia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania, which is indicated by this year s European Commission s report Key figures 2007 on science, technology and innovation. High interest in the programme Technological Initiative proves that the government s supporting the efforts of companies creating new technologies is sensible. In the first round over 490 projects from enterprises and research units was filed. The total value of the projects exceeded 800 zlotys. Source: Rzeczpospolita, no. 255, supplement The 2000 List - Ranking of innovative companies 2007, Author: Zbigniew Zwierzchowski A hundred of the most modern companies Rzeczpospolita has printed a ranking of companies conducting research and development business in Poland. The assessed issues included: the share of a company s expenses in R&D business in relation to the company s income; the relation of the employed in R&D business to the entirety of the employed; and the relation of the value of R&D works realized in the company to the total income; the number of sold licenses, gained patents; functioning of a separate R&D department and elaboration of a project that does not have its equivalent abroad (innovativeness on an international scale). The winners are, respectively, Comarch SA (Kraków), Radmor SA (Gdynia), Amator SA (Toruń). This is the fifth ranking of innovative companies. Source: Rzeczpospolita supplement, no 255, The 2000 List - Ranking of innovative companies 2007, Author: Artur Sierant Promotion of innovative solutions The European Union has been supporting our economy for a few years. In the programmes for the years we are to realize the Lisbon Strategy, so to increase innovativeness in the economy. And this means that companies which implement modern solutions will get the most money. It will be in total a few billion dispersed over several programmes. The two most important sources are the Innovative Economy (about 5 billion ) and funds administered in voivodships within regional operational programmes (in total about 4 billion ). 20