Company training application: increased framework13 April 2007
The National Development Agency is increasing the European Union call for applications funding framework targeting company training to over two-times its original rate following reconciliation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, since the rate of funding applied for in applications submitted under the highly successful call for applications exceeded the available framework within days of its announcement. Therefore, instead of approving 100 applications, as originally planned, over three-hundred micro- and small-enterprises are anticipated to receive funding for supporting the training of their employees within the framework of the call for applications that was closed last week due to the huge volume of applicants.
On the basis of data that has been processed, so far a total of 400 enterprises have submitted applications – only 100 applications were to have been originally approved - whilst the rate of funding applied for was over two and half times higher than the originally announced framework.
Having increased the rate of funding, approved applicants can now access a total of over 2 billion HUF, instead of the 1 billion HUF framework available originally, in accordance with the call for applications and in the order of submission to the value of the increased framework.
According to EU rules, in relation to the 6 other regions of the country, the Middle Hungary Region is only eligible to receive a lower rate of funding due to its level of development. Accordingly, it will possible to grant funding to approximately 75% of approved applications registered in the Middle Hungary Region. According to plans – and on the basis of applications processed so far – the increased funding framework covers payments of all valid applications submitted up to the deadline date of last Friday in the case of the other regions.
The National Development Agency is planning to publish a call for applications in a similar theme in the second half of 2007, or the first half of the following year.
Gordon Bajnai, development policy commissioner said the following in connection with the framework increase. „The success of the call for applications justifies our opinion, namely how micro- and small-size enterprises are capable of acquiring marketable knowledge primarily by training their employees, which serves as a means for improving their competitiveness.”