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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This project offers comprehensive training and post-training consulting services to Polish businesses and their employees, aiming to enhance their competencies in accessibility and universal design to boost innovation and competitiveness. - Target recipient type and size: Enterprises of micro, small, medium, and large size, and their employees. - SECTOR-AGNOSTIC - Geographic scope: Poland (all of Poland). - Key filtering criteria: Must be a Polish registered company, eligible for de minimis aid, interested in accessibility, and not participating in specific previous similar projects. - Grant frequency and program context: This is a one-time project realization (Jan 2025 - Dec 2027) offering services, not a recurring call for direct financial grants to companies. It is part of the European Funds for Social Development (FERS) program.

Financial Structure

This project provides training and consulting services fully funded by the European Union; there is no direct financial grant provided to the participating companies. - The total project value is 9,999,616.00 PLN. - The total amount of EU co-financing is 9,999,616.00 PLN. - There are no matching fund requirements or co-financing obligations for participating companies. - Eligible costs covered by the project (for participants): training, individual post-training consulting, catering for stationary training sessions, and reimbursement of travel costs for stationary training attendees. - Ineligible costs: No specific ineligible costs mentioned for participants as they do not receive direct funds. - Payment schedules/mechanisms: Not applicable to participants, as they receive services. - Financial guarantees: None required from participating companies.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Size

Companies must be registered and conducting business in Poland.
Eligible organization types include micro, small, medium, and large enterprises.
Companies must be eligible to receive de minimis aid.
Companies must not be under sanctions related to the Russian Federation's war actions.
Companies must not be excluded from receiving EU funds.
Companies must not be participating in other competitive projects from the "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" program.

Employee Eligibility

Employees delegated to the project must be:
- An 'employee' as defined by Article 2 of the Polish Labor Code.
- A 'temporary employee' as defined by Article 2 point 2 of the Temporary Employment Act.
- An individual performing work based on an agency agreement, mandate agreement, or other service agreement (similar to mandate or specific-task contracts) if concluded with their employer, or if performing work for their employer under such an agreement.
- An owner performing managerial functions or a partner actively operating and financially benefiting from the enterprise.
Delegated employees must show interest in ensuring or improving the accessibility of products and/or services.
Delegated employees must not have participated in support from projects co-financed under the "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" competition.

Exclusion Criteria

Participation in other "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" competition projects.
Ineligibility for de minimis aid.
Being under EU or national sanctions.
Exclusion from receiving any EU funds.

Application Process

Application Timeline and Deadlines

Project implementation period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.
Application deadlines for specific recruitment rounds are not explicitly provided; applications are verified within 7 business days from the closure of a given recruitment round. This implies ongoing or periodic recruitment.
For specific deadlines, check the project's online platform or contact the project office.

Application Procedure and Steps

Check Qualification Criteria: Before applying, thoroughly review the eligibility requirements to ensure your company and delegated employees qualify.
Create an Account: Register on the project's dedicated online platform.
Fill Out Application Form and Recruitment Documents: Complete the application form and submit all required recruitment documents. Ensure accuracy and completeness.
Await Evaluation: Project specialists will verify applications against competitive requirements within 7 business days after a recruitment round closes.
Sign Agreement: If your application is accepted, you will be contacted to discuss further steps and sign a support agreement.

Required Documentation and Materials

Online application form.
Recruitment documents (specific types are not detailed in the provided text, but will be available in the 'Do pobrania' - 'To download' section of the website).

Support Offered

Training: General and specialized training on accessibility and universal design (1-2 days). Delivered both stationary and remotely.
Individual Post-Training Consulting: Up to 15 didactic hours of individual consulting tailored to company needs and industry specifics, focusing on commercializing universal design solutions and business development. Delivered both stationary and remotely.
Material Accessibility: Accessible training materials.
Logistical Support (for stationary training): Catering and reimbursement of travel costs.
Certificates:
- Certificate of training completion: Requires a minimum of 90% attendance and completion of a post-training survey.
- Certificate of competence acquisition: Requires showing improved knowledge/skills (higher score on a post-test than a pre-test).

Project Implementation and Reporting

Training Formats: Lectures, discussions, exercises, group activities.
Consulting Methodology: Includes use of simulation tools (e.g., active wheelchair, vision impairment glasses, aging suit, noise-canceling headphones).
Reporting Obligations: Participants are required to maintain a minimum of 90% attendance during training and complete post-training surveys. For competence certification, pre-tests and post-tests are required.

Evaluation Criteria

Qualification Criteria (Pass/Fail)

Company status (micro, small, medium, large enterprise).
Demonstrated interest in ensuring or improving product/service accessibility.
Eligibility for de minimis aid.
Company registration and operation within Poland.
Non-participation in other "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" projects.
Not subject to sanctions related to Russian Federation's war actions.
Not excluded from receiving EU funds.
Delegated employee meeting legal definitions and showing interest.
Delegated employee not having participated in "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" support.

Preferential Scoring Factors (Premiums)

10 points awarded for companies with micro/small enterprise status.
5 points awarded for delegating at least one employee with a disability.
5 points awarded for delegating a group of employees where 50% or more are women.
5 points awarded for delegating a group of employees where 20% or more are managerial staff.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with de minimis aid regulations is essential; companies must be eligible to receive such aid.
Companies must adhere to EU and national sanctions, particularly regarding actions related to the Russian Federation's war.
Companies must not be legally excluded from receiving funds originating from the European Union.

Ethical and Accessibility Standards

The overall project implementation and beneficiary actions are subject to compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Suspected non-compliance can be reported.
The project ensures digital, information-communication, and architectural accessibility for all training and consulting sessions.
Equal treatment is guaranteed for all project participants.
The project office itself is fully adapted for persons with disabilities, including those with mobility impairments, and is free of architectural barriers.

Special Project Features

The project focuses on "universal design" (uniwersalne projektowanie), which emphasizes creating products and services usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
The project uses simulative tools during individual consulting (e.g., active wheelchair, vision impairment glasses, aging suit, noise-canceling headphones) to enhance understanding of accessibility challenges.
Companies previously involved in similar projects under the "Dostępność szansą na rozwój 3" competition are ineligible to prevent double funding or support.

Potential Challenges/Considerations

Applicants must ensure their company's eligibility for de minimis aid, which might require reviewing their aid history.
While the project period is defined, specific recruitment round deadlines are dynamic and require active monitoring of the project's online platform.

Strategic Opportunities

This program offers a significant opportunity for Polish businesses to proactively adapt to evolving accessibility standards and legislation (e.g., European Accessibility Act).
By incorporating universal design principles, companies can enhance their market competitiveness and reach a broader customer base, including persons with disabilities and seniors.

Grant Details