The initiative aims to support individuals and organizations during phases of change brought about by digital and green transformations. It seeks to develop the necessary skills to facilitate the introduction of innovative solutions in the products, processes, and services of businesses, starting from their essential involvement in the design of training pathways.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives are to:
- Encourage the implementation of innovative interventions capable of generating a positive impact on the local area and the regional economic system;
- Promote the digital and green transition within companies by developing workers’ skills;
- Prevent the risk of a shortage of qualified workers (so-called “labour shortage”);
- Equip workers with appropriate skills by aligning their qualifications with the tasks they perform.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The expected outcomes of the initiative are:
- Increase in innovative training activities in the Veneto region and its business system;
- Development of workers’ skills in the digital and green sectors;
- Reduction of the risk of labour shortages in the regional production system;
- Reduction of the mismatch in the regional labour market.
TARGET GROUPS
Employed workers, business owners, business collaborators, freelancers, and self-employed individuals.
PROJECT TYPES
LINE A – Digital and Technological Innovation Projects
Multi-company projects exclusively, aimed at training company personnel on the introduction or improvement of products/processes, based on the following definitions:
- This includes all processes for the definition and implementation of technological innovations in products and processes within companies (including significant changes in techniques, equipment, or software);
- To ensure the achievement of the above objectives, projects may include ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) expenditures. If included, these expenditures must account for between 30% and 50% of the public funding requested at the time of the application for funding.
LINE B – Single and Multi-company Projects Focused on Skills Development in Response to Ongoing Changes, With a Focus on the Digital and Green Transition
Single and multi-company projects aimed at developing workers’ skills with a focus on the green and digital transitions. These are intended to train low-skilled personnel to progressively reduce the mismatch between workers’ qualifications and their job functions, particularly following technological changes introduced in businesses.
Within this category, priority will be given to projects offering a balanced mix of training and support activities, aimed at promptly meeting companies’ identified needs.
ELIGIBLE ERDF EXPENDITURES
To ensure the full effectiveness of Line A projects, they may include ERDF-eligible expenses. These must represent between 30% and 50% of the public funding requested at the time of the application submission.
Below are examples of eligible expenditure types:
- Purchase, renewal, or upgrading of plants, machinery, equipment instrumental to project implementation;
- Leasing fees for the above-mentioned equipment;
- Mobile equipment strictly necessary for the project’s implementation and proportionate to actual production needs, identifiable individually and dedicated exclusively to the production unit receiving support;
- Technical expenses for design, work supervision, testing, and certification of installations;
- The purchase of specialist hardware and software is instrumental to project implementation and digital technology tools. Expenses for general IT equipment (smartphones, tablets, laptops) or office automation systems are not eligible;
- Purchase of patent rights, licenses, know-how, or unpatented technical knowledge instrumental to the project;
- Acquisition of databases, market research, and technical libraries is instrumental to the project;
- Expenses for technical appraisals are instrumental to the project.
PROJECT SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting applications is May 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
We remain available to support you in developing a project under this call for proposals.
