PHARE
This is the largest non-refundable financial aid programme provided by the European Union to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
The aim of the programme is to assist applicant states prepare for accession to the EU. The programme concentrates on a small number of high-priority objectives which, once accomplished, will enable the main goal to be achieved, i.e. accession to the EU.
PHARE PROGRAMMES:
National programmes - these are realised based on an annual financial memorandum drawn up by the governments of the recipient countries which further direct the aid for specific projects.
Multi-beneficiary programmes - are managed by the European Commission and the participant states. The objective of the programmes is to jointly solve problems appearing in more than one country, e.g. drug trafficking, social security systems, atomic energy security, protection of the environment, protection of intellectual property, support for non-governmental organisations.
Cross-border Co-operation Programmes - to support development and co-operation between the border zones of EU member states and applicant states. The priorities, among others, are to improve the transport infrastructure, protect the environment, joint initiatives for regional development or tourism.
The Union's budget for 2000-2006 has set the amount of funds dedicated to Phare programmes at
EUR 1.56 billion annually for all countries, of which Poland should receive 400 million a year.
Subsidies under the aegis of Phare 2000 in respect of enterprises are, in Poland, administered by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości: PARD). PARD is running the following programmes for small and medium enterprises:
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Export Promotion Programme: subsidies to co-finance the costs of implementing export projects, covering the following activities: market research, partner twinning, product promotion, study tours, participation in foreign fairs and exhibitions.
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Introduction to Export: subsidies to co-finance the costs of participating in the ABC of Export for SMEs training, which comprises two modules: Marketing of exports and Export transactions. The subsidy can apply to both modules or only a selected module.
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Introduction to quality: subsidies to SMEs to co-finance the qualified costs of advisory and training services relating to the implementation of quality assurance systems. Projects realised under the aegis of the programme could relate to the following activities, specified in detail in the Guidance for Applicants: |
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preparing the staff of SMEs for quality management;
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obtaining compliance certificates for products, raw materials, machinery and equipment, controlling and measuring apparatus and staff;
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assessing compliance with EU Directives, obtaining CE symbols for products to enable their entry in EU markets;
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obtaining certificates for specific quality assurance systems in certain sectors;
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improving the management systems after having obtained a certificate.
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Innovation and technologies to develop enterprises - subsidies to co-finance the costs of advisory and training services in respect of implementing projects to develop the technology of an enterprise. Projects may cover the following activities:
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evaluating the technologies used by the enterprise;
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preparing the implementation of innovative solutions and new technologies;
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implementing acquired technologies;
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implementing own technological solutions
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Preparing for operations in European market - subsidies to co-finance the costs of implementing projects which cover training and consulting in management, marketing, human resources, accounting and finance, production, quality and/or the innovation and transfer of technologies.
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Enterprise Development Programme - the aim of the programme is to create conditions for increasing social and economic cohesion in the provinces of Warmia and Mazury, Lublin, Podkarpacie and Silesia, through the development of SMEs and job creation. The Enterprise Development Programme is aimed at supporting enterprises in increasing their competitiveness and effectiveness in the market.
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Export Enterprise Development Programme - the aim of the programme is to create conditions for increasing social and economic cohesion in the provinces of Lublin, Podkarpacie and Silesia: through the development of SMEs and job creation. The Enterprise Development Programme is aimed at supporting enterprises in increasing their competitiveness and effectiveness in foreign markets
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Investment Subsidy Fund - the aim of the program is to create conditions for increasing social and economic cohesion in the provinces of Warmia and Mazury, Podlasie, Lublin, Podkarpacie and Silesia through the development of SMEs and job creation. The Investment Subsidy Fund is aimed at supporting enterprises in increasing their competitiveness and effectiveness in the market by preparing and implementing investment projects.
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Programme of Subsidies for Business Support Organisations -financing the costs of developing Business Support Organisation in terms of product development, co-financing of specific project activities, implementing quality assurance systems and creating new organisations which support businesses.
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