March 12, 2024
A success story starts with the details. MEAT is launching, this year, a new edition of the Femia Antrepreneur program! The implementation procedure is in public consultation
MEAT brings good news about the "Woman Entrepreneur" in an optimistic manner! Precisely, the institution is preparing to launch a new edition of the program designed to inspire ladies to carve their own destinies in the business world, offering them non-refundable funding from the state budget. The first step has already been taken: the procedure for implementing the de minimis aid scheme is currently in the public consultation phase.
As in the previous edition, grants of up to 200,000 lei will be available for SMEs. This amount can cover up to 95% of the amount of eligible expenses within the projects submitted by the female entrepreneurs.
Funding applies, among other things, to the purchase of technological equipment, including physical assets required for playgrounds, gyms, fitness and the like, as well as equipment for saving energy and using renewable resources. Investments can also be made in workspaces, transport, furniture and equipment, websites and promotion, including business development courses.
In addition, this year's edition brings significant changes: updating the evaluation criteria for funding applications. The winning projects will be selected according to the score obtained, in descending order, according to the grid established by the evaluation procedure. This aspect thus becomes a complement to the Start-Up Nation program, with a consolidated history, which focuses on supporting early-stage companies.
For the year 2024, #MEAT estimates that approximately 1,000 women entrepreneurs will benefit from the program, with an approved budget of 200 million lei.
The project proposal includes the essential conditions that applicants must meet in order to benefit from the facilities offered by the Program for companies (micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises). These eligibility criteria must be met cumulatively at the date of completion of the application form and are established to ensure the appropriate selection of participants into the program.
Companies (micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises) that meet cumulatively, at the time of completing the application form, the following eligibility criteria can benefit from the provisions of the Program:
Create at least two full-time jobs for an indefinite period after the entry into force of the financing agreement and keep these jobs occupied for at least 12 months after the issuance of the payment agreement by AIMM.
In case of vacancies or suspension of created jobs, the beneficiary has 45 days to fill them again, maintaining the number and conditions for which he received funding.
During the period mentioned in letter m (1), an employment contract cannot be suspended more than twice, with exceptions regulated by special legislation and issued by the competent authorities.
The beneficiary must prove employment through the project, with permanent and full-time employment contracts, at the time of issuing the payment agreement by AIMM, and maintain these jobs for at least 12 months.
Jobs created and filled in the last 6 months with the applicant company, between the signing and issuance of the financing agreement, are considered created by the project.
12. Ensure co-financing of at least 5% from the eligible value of the project, under penalty of not granting AFN.
Within the Program dedicated to companies (micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises), a careful monitoring and control of the beneficiaries is required to ensure compliance with the imposed conditions. The IPU team in AIMM/MEAT will initiate this process immediately after the granting of the grant, maintaining it throughout the duration of the funding agreement.
MEAT/AIMM representatives have the prerogative to verify, both planned and unannounced, the authenticity and compliance of declarations, activities and expenditures made by economic operators within the program. Refusal to cooperate or to allow access to information may lead to full recovery of the de minimis aid granted.
In the event that MEAT/AIMM identifies incomplete or untrue declarations, or if the conditions of the financing agreement are no longer met, the full recovery of the aid, including the related interest, is proposed, after notifications to the control bodies or controls carried out by the program representatives .
The de minimis aid recovery procedures comply with national legislation and European Union rules, respecting the deadlines and interest rates established by them. UIP AIMM will monitor the indicators and the activity of the beneficiaries for a period of at least 3 years after the granting of the non-reimbursable financial aid.
In the event that the beneficiary becomes insolvent or closes operations, the aid granted will be recovered. The beneficiaries are not allowed to transfer significant parts of the company during the contract period.
Failure to comply with the procedures or conditions of the financing agreement will result in the full recovery of the aid, together with related interest. In addition, the discovery of incriminating facts during the contract may lead to the rejection of the funding request or the recovery of the aid granted, including interest, following investigations by the competent authorities.
