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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

To enhance the competencies and qualifications of staff within organizations that provide development services listed in the Database of Development Services (BUR), and for independent trainers/consultants cooperating with them, by refunding costs of participation in relevant development services. - Target Recipient Type and Size: - Organizations with an entry in the BUR (Podmioty BUR). - Individual entrepreneurs (owners of sole proprietorships) who directly deliver development services in BUR (Podmioty współpracujące). - SECTOR-SPECIFIC (focused on training and development services providers). - Geographic Scope: Poland. - Key Filtering Criteria: Must be a recognized BUR entity or a collaborating individual trainer/consultant with a proven track record (5 services in 3 years with the same BUR entity). Must seek funding for skills related to training/advisory or thematic areas of BUR services. - Grant Frequency: Recurring calls (rounds) managed by selected operators until 31 December 2026.

Financial Structure

Maximum eligible cost per participant for development services: from 24,700 PLN to 38,000 PLN gross.
Grant funding is provided as a refund of incurred costs.
Refund rate is 80% of the cost for services focused on developing trainer, consultant, mentor, or coaching skills.
Refund rate is 50% of the cost for services focused on developing new competencies or qualifications related to the thematic scope of services currently provided or planned in BUR.
The remaining portion (20% or 50%) constitutes the applicant's own contribution.
Financial aid is provided as de minimis aid. Applicants exceeding their de minimis limit will cover the excess costs independently.
No public aid is granted beyond de minimis.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Organization Types

Podmiot BUR: Legal entities or businesses (Przedsiębiorcy) that are registered in the Baza Usług Rozwojowych (BUR - Database of Development Services) and authorized to publish development services eligible for public funding.
Podmiot współpracujący: Individual entrepreneurs (owner/owner of a sole proprietorship) who directly provide development services within BUR based on an assignment from a Podmiot BUR.

Specific Qualifications

For Podmiot BUR: Must have an active entry in the BUR that allows for public co-financing of their services.
For Podmiot współpracujący: Must demonstrate having completed a minimum of 5 development services in BUR within the last 3 years prior to application submission, in cooperation with the same Podmiot BUR.

Staff/Participant Requirements

For employees of Podmiot BUR: Must be employed for at least 3 months prior to the application submission date and must maintain their employment status throughout the project duration.
For owners of Podmiot współpracujący: The owner/entrepreneur is the direct participant.

Geographic Requirements

Project implementation location: Poland.
Territorial scope: Poland.

Exclusion Criteria

An applicant (Podmiot BUR or Podmiot współpracujący) can only participate in this grant once across all operators.
An applicant cannot also act as the service provider (Wykonawca) for other participants within this grant program.
No capital or personal ties between the applicant, the chosen service provider (Wykonawca), and the Beneficiary (Operator) are allowed.
Entities currently subject to sanctions related to Russia's aggression against Ukraine are excluded.
Entities acting as operators or partners in any Subjective Financing System in regional programs (2021-2027) or the European Social Fund Plus (FERS 2021-2027) are excluded.
Entities whose entry in the BUR is temporarily suspended or blocked from publishing services are excluded.

Application Process

Application Process Timeline

Competition announcement: 2025-02-28
Application submission start: 2025-03-17
Application submission end: 2026-12-31
Individual service realization timeframe: Must start within 3 months of signing the support agreement; subsequent services within 6 months. Total service duration cannot exceed 12 months from agreement signing.
Verification of application: Within 5 business days of receiving all required documents (may be extended).

Required Documentation and Materials

Application for support (Wniosek o udzielenie wsparcia).
Individual Development Plan (Indywidualny Plan Rozwoju - IPR).
Development Service Card (Karta Usługi Rozwojowej - KU).
Results of market research (e.g., offers, screenshots of price lists from at least three potential service providers).
Participant's registration form (Formularz zgłoszeniowy Uczestnika/Uczestniczki).
Declaration of no ties with Beneficiary (Operator) and Service Provider (Oświadczenie o braku powiązań).
Information form for de minimis aid (Formularz informacji przedstawianych przy ubieganiu się o pomoc de minimis).
Declaration of received de minimis aid (Oświadczenie dotyczące otrzymanej pomocy de minimis).
Declaration concerning prohibitions related to Russian aggression against Ukraine (Oświadczenie dotyczące zakazu w związku z agresją Rosji na Ukrainę).
For Podmiot BUR (if delegating employees): Employment contract/certificate for delegated employee(s) (must be employed for at least 3 months prior to application) and ZUS DRA documentation for the last 3 months.
For Podmiot współpracujący: References, contracts, or invoices (and BUR service cards) proving the fulfillment of the '5 services in 3 years with the same BUR entity' requirement.
Power of attorney (if applicable).
Documents for refund: Invoice/receipt for the service, proof of payment, service completion document, attendance lists, login reports (for online services), and verification of learning outcomes.

Submission Format and Platform

Applications must be submitted electronically via the chosen Beneficiary's (Operator's) IT system.
Documents should be submitted as electronic documents with qualified electronic signatures or as scans of traditionally signed documents. Original paper copies might be requested after initial verification.

Post-Award Requirements and Obligations

Obligation to participate in at least 80% of the development service's time.
Obligation to undergo verification of learning outcomes.
Submission of refund documents within 30 days of service completion.
Obligation to provide tax and social security clearance certificates upon signing the support agreement (not older than 30 days).

Evaluation Criteria

Project Quality and Alignment

Relevance of Development Plan: The proposed development services must stem from the individual development plan (IPR) and align with the participant's identified development needs and the grant's thematic areas.
Service Quality: Evaluation of the 'Karta Usługi Rozwojowej' (Development Service Card) for each planned service, checking for:
Clear and appropriate learning objectives.
Comprehensive program and schedule.
Valid methods for verifying learning outcomes.
Proper service standards.
Experience of trainers/consultants relevant to the training topic.
Coherence between learning outcomes and service program.
Market Research: Adequacy and credibility of market research conducted to select the service provider, ensuring market-based pricing. At least three offers/price lists are generally required for comparison, unless the service is 'unique' or 'tailored' (in which case specific justification is needed, including comparison to at least 3 standard offers).
Justification for Unique/Tailored Services: If a service is deemed 'unikatowa' (unique) or 'szyta na miarę' (tailored), detailed justification is required, focusing on:
Specific thematic area (unique/niche topic).
Tailored scope to specific needs (program detail, learning outcomes).
Unique qualifications of trainers (though this alone is not sufficient).
Evidence that the price is market-based, even for specialized services.

Participant Quality

Employee Status: For employees, verification of continuous employment for at least 3 months prior to application submission and during the project.
Track Record (for collaborating entities): Verification of the 5 services in 3 years requirement for Podmioty współpracujące.

Cross-cutting Themes (Bonus Points - specific to DARR S.A. operator)

Inclusivity - Disability: Additional 5 points for businesses that delegate at least one employee with a disability (verified by certificate).
Gender Equality: Additional 5 points if at least 50% of the project participants delegated by the company are women.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with de minimis aid regulations; applicants must self-monitor their de minimis aid limit.
Compliance with national and EU regulations regarding sanctions against entities supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Compliance with general employment law (for employee status).

Ethical Standards

Strict prohibition of capital or personal ties between the applicant, the service provider (Wykonawca), and the Beneficiary (Operator).
Requirement for market research to ensure fair and competitive pricing for purchased services.

Risk Management and Security

Verification against sanction lists (EU and national) to ensure no support is provided to entities linked to Russia's aggression.

Unique Aspects & Strategic Opportunities

The program operates through several 'Beneficiaries' (Operators), and applicants must choose one operator to apply through. Each operator may have specific recruitment rounds and slight variations in the application process and bonus criteria (e.g., DARR S.A. offering points for disabled employees or women participants).
Opportunities exist for businesses to invest in high-quality, targeted training for their core staff or for individual trainers to enhance their professional skills in areas like coaching, mentoring, or specific subject matter relevant to their BUR services.
The grant explicitly supports both direct training skills and thematic knowledge improvement.

Grant Details