REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS:PRIVATE INITIATIVES FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS:

PRIVATE INITIATIVES FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

About Project “Support of the market environment in Moldova”:

The project contributes to the long-term improvement of the market environment, strengthen public-private relations through the Career Fair (Career EXPO), and share Slovak experience in 4 regions - Chisinau, Balti, Comrat and Cahul, with the aim of systematically improving the socio-economic status of young people, women and the wider public.

Through the "Cyber Security Academy" programme and international internships at CODWER, the project supports 20 students (m/f) of the Technical University of Moldova. 80 people (m/f) in less developed regions benefits from the "TECH Incubator and TECH WOMEN Incubator" programmes and career mentoring.

15 small and medium-sized enterprises from the regions are trained in digitization and smart solutions, and 8 selected enterprises will be supported through mini-grants and individual mentoring provided by the Slovak experts.

The topic of gender equality will also be covered through networking workshops and the international conference "WOMEN IN TECH" with the expected participation of 2,900 people.

The project comprehensively addresses the development of capacities in Moldova, gender inequality, connects Chisinau with 3 less developed regions and contributes to the job creation for women in rural areas.

Main objective of the supporting initiative for private companies

The overarching goal of the Call is to provide financial support – mini-grants of 1000 EUR to 8 private companies that have completed the Digital Upgrade SMEs programme, fostering their digitization and introducing smart solutions and automation.

1.2 Types of proposals/businesses supported.

The preferred projects applying to the call are innovative initiatives aligned to the objectives stated above. The initiative should meet the following criteria:

• Digital marketing and social media.
• Online security.
• Back-office function digitization.
• Automation – tools for repeating tasks.
• Online shop, e-commerce

1.3 Amount of awards

The awards’ fund will offer a mini grant of 1000 EUR offered in the form of refunding costs for goods and services.

1.4 Duration of the project

The grants implementation must be finished until September 2024.

1.5 Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants to the request are:

• companies that have completed the Digital Upgrade SMEs programme,
• businesses/companies from region Gagauzia:

The Applicants and individual owners have not been convicted for crimes connected to economic activities.

2 Application process

2.1 Description of the application process

The selection process is designed according to merit, transparency, equality, and rational use of funds. The innovation projects are selected against the clear eligibility and selection criteria, of which the experienced and independent evaluators assess the latter. The applications fulfilling all eligibility criteria, satisfying the selection criteria the most, will be proposed for financing. They will be evaluated in the final phase and ranked by the Independent Evaluation Committee. The best-ranked applications that can fulfil legal requirements are offered to sign the Grant Agreement.

2.2 Instructions to the application process

APPLICANT apply through the published open call and will fill in the application form and send it to the email address irina.grisca@ihub.md. The application form can be downloaded here. Following sections must be completed.

1. Name, address, contact details
2. Selection of the area of planned investment.
3. Investment description
4. Budget
5. Business official registration documents
6. Attachments to the application

The following rules will be applied in the selection process:

1. There is only one Application per APPLICANT allowed;
2. Modification of the grant application to increase the potential and effectiveness of the investment and submission of additional documents may be asked by the selection committee;
3. Deadlines for application is to be strictly respected;
4. In evaluation process, only complete Applications will be accepted.

2.3 Project Application Documentation – Grant application

1. Applicant’s name, address, and contact details:provide all required details.
2. Selection of the area of planned investment: mark selected area/s with the cross.
3. Investment description: Max ½ page. Describe the planned investment divided by items and justify how this investment will advance your business.
4. Budget items: This section requires you to list and calculate all items to be supported from the mini-grant.
5. Business Official Registration Documents: This refers to the legal and official documents that prove the registration and existence of your business (in ownership or co-ownership). These documents may include business registration certificates, licenses, permits, tax identification numbers, articles of incorporation, or any other relevant legal paperwork. Providing these documents helps establish the legitimacy and credibility of the business and ensures compliance with local regulations. It also helps the selection committee verify your eligibility for the grant as a registered business.

Submitting these documents is important as they provide evidence of the business's legal standing and readiness to receive the grant, while the motivational letter, business description, and concept note help the selection committee assess the applicant's suitability, potential, and alignment with the grant's objectives.

2.3.1 Submitting the application.

Applicants shall submit their application to participate and propose concepts until 31.12.2024 via e-mail Irina.grisca@ihub.md.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their expression of interests are received in accordance with the instructions stated herein. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of IHUB.

Questions regarding the technical or administrative requirements of this Call for Application may be submitted no later than 30.12.2024 local Chisinau time by email to Irina.grisca@ihub.md. Questions must be submitted in writing; phone calls will not be accepted. Questions and requests for clarification and the responses that IHUB believes may be of interest to other Applicants will be circulated to all pre-application recipients who have indicated an interest in the current call.

Only the written answers issued by IHUB will be considered official and carry weight in the Pre-application process and subsequent evaluation. Any verbal information received from employees of IHUB, or any other entity should not be considered as an official response to any questions regarding this pre-application round.

Eligible and non-eligible expenses

On a competitive basis, the mini-grant should be used by the Applicant for expanding it's existing and developing new digitization tools, elaboration of new solutions to serve the final goal in the following group of expenses, regardless of the weight:

• Goods and services;
• Technical equipment and software;

The expenses shown above should be predicted to reflect the Project goals and should be clearly justified, in accordance with the business ‘s objectives.

Expenses that will not be considered for financing by the Private Sector Engagement call include but are not limited to:

– Interest or debt owed to any third party;

– Expenditures and provisions for possible future losses or debts;

– Items already financed through another similar scheme, program or institution, Financial awards;

– Bank and currency exchange expenses, losses, fees and penalties;

– Purchase or rent of land or buildings, including any renovation;

– Cash payments from the project account;

Evaluation terms

The evaluation will be done by a selected committee based on these criteria: