Currently available funding
There are currently no calls for proposal.
Programme Summary
Why is the programme needed? Latvia has an innovation performance below the European Union (EU) average. The programme is targeted to become an operational part of an innovation system for linking science and private sector initiatives. It is also targeted for improving seed and start-up financing climate to enable further venture capital financing of knowledge and technology intensive business ideas. It is also needed to reduce the environmental impact and improve resource efficiency in the Latvian economy. The programme supports enterprises in different stages of their development. Providing support to Latvian companies and implementing projects in green industry areas is essential in contributing to a structural shift towards a greener economy. What will the programme achieve? The programme will increase green business opportunities by providing project support for the implementation, development and/or improvement of innovative environmental technologies, products or processes. Beneficiaries are enterprises who will gain from increased energy and resource efficiency in business and additional opportunities to exploit the growing markets for environmental goods and services. By creating new jobs and propelling a more sustainable economic growth, the programme will contribute to reducing social and economic disparities. How will it be achieved? • Some €7.8 million will be made available through one open call planned for the first half of 2013 supporting development and implementation of innovative environmental technologies and processes. The project support can be in the range of €170 000 to €700 000. • Establishing a “green” Technology Incubator (TI) who will help start-up companies with a green profile to develop their business ideas. This will be a pre-defined project receiving €1.4 million in support from the programme • A small grants scheme (SGS) of €2.3 million will be available for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in relation to the “green” technology incubator. The grants can be used to verify their business ideas, to conduct market research and to fund other necessary activities. Support can be in the range from €10 000 to €170 000. How will bilateral relations be strengthened? It is expected that enterprises from both countries will benefit from the cooperation through exchange of expertise and knowledge and innovation development. What are the partnership opportunities? Partnerships with Norwegian entities are encouraged in the programme and additional points will be awarded as part of the project appraisal. Innovation Norway will assist Norwegian entities who wish to operate in Latvia and participate as partners in projects. Funding is available for interested entities which are project partners and project promoters to support knowledge sharing, exchange of experience and good practice within programme during or after implementation of the projects. Who can apply for funding under this programme? Latvian small, medium sized and university spin-off enterprises are eligible to apply for project funding under the small grants scheme. Under the open call, Latvian small, medium sized and large enterprises are eligible applicants. Under both the small grants scheme and the open call, Norwegian entities can be involved as project partners. For the open call, grant support will be around 35% of the total project costs unless state-aid rules require a lower grant rate. Under the small grants scheme, grant support rate will vary from 80% to 35%.
