Deadline: 08-Sep-21
The Enterprise Ireland is seeking applications for its Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme 2021 to provide financial assistance to not-for-profit projects which can demonstrate an ability to deliver regional impact.
The scheme is part of Government’s programme of assistance for regional enterprise development and assistance to regions facing socio-economic difficulties and transition as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and other regional challenges associated with the UK’s departure from the EU.
Objectives
- The objective of the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme is to provide assistance, including funding supports, to regionally based not-for-profit undertakings that provide economic support to enterprises in sectors and regions negatively affected by Covid-19, as well as a consequence of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU (Brexit).
- This Scheme aims to offer a targeted solution to both existing and new Regional and Community-based projects that can demonstrate the ability to deliver impact and execute project deliverables in the current year. These not-for-profit projects should aim to improve the capability and competitiveness of regional enterprises and encourage entrepreneurial activity, productivity, and innovative capability in that regard. Applicants for Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme funding must show all project spend in 2021.
- The objectives of the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme 2021 are to:
- Enable applicants to support enterprises, which are predominantly SMEs, in their response to economic and market challenges, such as the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, as well as the transition to a low carbon economy, digitalisation and smart specialisation.
- Assist not-for-profit DACs, CLGs or eligible public bodies that will deliver initiatives which have, or will have, a positive impact on entrepreneurial activity, and/or productivity, and/or innovative capability of enterprise.
- Assist these applicants in enhancing the productivity and new product development opportunities of SMEs in order to increase internationalisation opportunities and sustain employment across all regions.
Focus Areas
Specific areas of focus for these collaborative not-for-profit projects would therefore incorporate innovation, incubation of enterprises, research and development or the delivery of one or more of the following:
- Initiatives to help enterprises respond to Covid 19 and Brexit
- Digital Transformation & Digital Capability initiatives
- Climate Change & Sustainability
- Clusters and Sectoral Development activities
- Innovation and Internationalisation Capability development
- Women in Business/Entrepreneurship activities
Funding Information
- In addition to the main Scheme, separate funding of €500,000 is also being provided for an associated RETS Feasibility Study Fund to support detailed evaluation of early-stage opportunities for new impactful regional enterprise development projects.
- Scheme grant funding of between €50,000 and €1,800,000 per project is available at up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding assistance for Not-for-Profit clients of Enterprise Ireland/Údarás na Gaeltachta that deliver existing Regional and Community based projects that can demonstrate the need for additional support arising from Covid-19, Brexit, and other market changes. These supports will be towards capital and current costs.
- The applicants must be able to show progress to date as well as potential positive regional impacts and strong Value for Money metrics.
For more information, visit https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/Regional-Enterprise-Transition-Scheme/
