Emilia Romagna region, call for the internationalization of Enterprise Networks.

The Emilia Romagna region recently released a notice aimed at promoting the internationalization paths of local Enterprise Networks. Through this action, the Region intends not only to facilitate the penetration and strengthen the presence of Small and Medium Enterprises in Emilia-Romagna in international markets, but also to further disseminate and enhance the concept of Networks as a useful tool that can enable such paths.

The call is aimed at Networks of Enterprises already established or whose establishment does not go beyond the date of October 25, 2013: the essential requirement established by the Region stipulates that the Network must be formed by at least three companies (with registered offices in Emilia Romagna) belonging to the sectors of industry, crafts, services, construction and transport. Companies interested in joining the call must be duly registered in the business registry at the local Chambers of Commerce and must send an application no later than 6 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2013.

These are the guidelines and conditions set by the region to be eligible for the funds:

• each Network can submit only one project, focused on a single target country or on countries belonging to highly integrated economic areas among them;
• the planned facilitation consists of capital contributions up to 50% of the expenses deemed eligible;
• Projects with expenditures deemed eligible by the region of less than €50,000 will be excluded;
• the grantable contribution may not exceed € 150,000 per project, and € 50,000 for each individual participating company;
• grants awarded, cannot be combined, for the same expenses, with other grants awarded by any public body;
• the total cost of the project cannot exceed 20% of the cumulative turnover of the enterprises belonging to the Network, referring to the latest approved financial statements.

Activities must be exclusively promotional, study or advisory in nature, aimed at internationalization paths for Networks.

For information on submitting the application and for further details, you can contact Octagona at: octagona@octagona.com or by phone at 059.9770184.

ALSO READ:

The success of Italian companies in India

Internationalizing your business abroad: strategic choice or opportunity?

Digital export manager (DEM): internationalization in a digital context