9 May, 2024 | Article
A new opportunity for publishing houses in Romania opens with the launch of a financing line aimed at the development and promotion of electronic books and audiobooks, as well as other creative initiatives to stimulate reading in the digital age. Grants, which can reach up to EUR 50,000, are available for micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized firms active in the field of book publishing.
The application period for these grants is between May 30, 2024 and July 30, 2024, and projects can be submitted online through the MySMIS2021 system. This initiative is part of the call Digitizing the sector of written culture by increasing the volume of books made in electronic format and mobilizing new audiences through the use of digital tools.
The budget allocated for this funding line is EUR 1,500,000, of which over EUR 1 million comes from the European Union. Firms that meet the eligibility criteria can access these grant funds to support various activities, including:
To be eligible for these subsidies, companies must meet certain criteria, including:
Activities eligible for funding include the purchase of ICT equipment, digitization services, promotion and advertising activities, project management, the purchase of auditing services, as well as ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities according to international standards.
The financed projects will contribute to increasing access to books in electronic format and audiobooks, thus promoting the culture of reading among the population, and will also support the Romanian publishing industry in the transition to the digital environment.
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.
