The first procedure for granting financial assistance under the operational program "Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020, BG16RFOP002-2.001 "Improving the production capacity in SMEs is opened."

The aim of the procedure is to provide investment support to Bulgarian small and medium enterprises / SME / to improve production processes and capacity, strengthening the export potential.

The total amount of funding for the procedure is 293 374 500 lev.

Projects must be implemented on the territory of Bulgaria and the following activities are allowed:

1 / Activities to improve production processes and / or

2 / Activities to add new features or improvement of existing products and services, and / or

3 / Activities to diversify the range of products and services of the businesses and / or

4 / Activities for the implementation of new technologies which will improve resource efficiency and effectiveness in the production process.

Submission of project proposals will be made online by completing a web based application form and submitting the form via the information system for management and monitoring of EU Structural Instruments in Bulgaria (ISMM - Information System for Management and Monitoring 2020) without the use of an electronic signature.

Three deadlines for submission of the project proposals were announced:

1 / July 8, 2015 for candidates with a code of main economic activity in the sectors of low-tech and medium low-tech industries;

2/ September 8, 2015 for candidates with a code of main economic activity in the sectors of high-tech and medium high-tech industries;

3 / November 9, 2015 for candidates with a code of main economic activity in the sectors of intensive of knowledge services;

More details you can find here.