Are you already on board with the recent changes to the SME portfolio?
24/04/2023 - 11:15
Since 01/01/23, the conditions for subsidy through the SME portfolio were significantly adjusted.
Since 01/01/23, the conditions for subsidy through the SME portfolio were significantly adjusted.
To be eligible for subsidy, advice and training must fall under at least 1 of the 7 general themes: business strategy, digitalisation, sustainability, financial literacy, innovation, internationalisation and personnel management. Training related to so-called profession-specific competences may also be eligible for subsidy after possible approval by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). The definition of profession-specific competences is linked to the VDAB's list of bottleneck professions and the STEM courses in secondary education. The registration of a (type of) course that may fall under this so-called specific theme must therefore be applied for in advance to VLAIO. For the sake of clarity, the application does not have to be repeated every time this (type of) training course is given once it has been accepted.
As a service provider, it is important to adapt to this for two reasons:
- Clients, when applying for grants, are asked to complete the topic under which the advice or training falls
- A number of process documents, such as signed agreement (advice) and registration form (training), accompanying a grant file must also mention the theme
Moreover, BQA advises all stakeholders to regularly check the conditions and criteria of the process documents of a grant file listed on the SME portfolio website for any changes. This is to avoid unpleasant surprises during an audit by an audit agency or a control by the Flemish Government.