The ICT Investment Fund

Project Aims

  • To assist a further 39 high growth businesses to purchase e-business solutions such as hardware and software
  • It aims to help small and medium sized companies to make better use of ICT, resulting in increased flexibility, reduced risk aversion and better information use, enabling firms to compete in national and global markets.
  • The Fund is providing 40% of the total project value with grants of between £10k and £50k. The remaining funding will be provided by the bidding company from private sources.
  • Example:
    Grant Available Total Project Value Minimum Business Contribution
    Minimum £10,000 £25,000 £15,000
    Maximum £50,000 At least £125,000 At least £75,000
  • Projects can also be over £125k, but the maximum grant will remain at £50k
  • The investment fund is targeting and supporting companies which can demonstrate that they can deliver the most value from the investment. This means that preference will be given to larger projects requesting the highest level of funding.

Key Areas Expected in Bids (Cross-cutting Themes)

    The focus of this initiative is support for private firms - particularly small and medium enterprises - in helping them to operate and develop. This support is provided on an individual company basis. The following key areas will need to be considered in the bids:
    Environmental Sustainability
    All applicants will need to have an environmental policy in place. This policy should go further than just a statement of intent and be backed by an implementation plan and a system to monitor and evaluate the results. You may wish to consider the following:
  • Has the application addressed the environmental impact of the whole life cycle of the project?
  • Does the project look at minimising waste?
  • Does the project look at reducing resource consumption (energy, water, raw materials)?
  • Does the project look at reducing travel needs of people and goods or changing to a more sustainable mode of transport and improving local air quality?
  • Does the project look at environmental criteria in their procurement process?
  • Does the project look at an environmental component in their training?
    Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion
  • How will the project ensure that the whole of the target group or groups have equal access to the project and equal opportunity to benefit from it?
  • What will your project do to promote equality of opportunity and social inclusion?
  • What actions have you taken or will take, to remove barriers to participation in your project, by under represented or socially excluded groups?
  • How have you sought the participation by, or taken advice from, support agencies, local groups and potential participants about the equal opportunities and social inclusion factors in your project?
  • What plans do you have for the training of project staff and management in equal opportunities and social inclusion so that they have knowledge and awareness of the issues and are skilled to take appropriate actions?
  • How will your project management deal with any complaints of discrimination, bullying or harassment that may be made by employees, clients/beneficiaries or the general public?
  • How will your project be monitored to make sure the social inclusion and equal opportunity targets are being met?
    Information and Communication Technologies
  • What opportunities does ICT present to add significant value to this project activity?
  • How have you, or will you, facilitate ICT best practice in this project?
  • What is your strategy and implementation plans for ICT in this project?
  • How will you measure, evaluate and report the impact of ICT in this project?

    • Further information about Cross Cutting Themes can be found on the EU Best Practice website

Organisation and Management

  • A panel made up of representatives from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the private sector will assess the bids and will be the authorising body for grants.

Guidlines

  • We cannot fund straight replacement of existing equipment
  • We cannot consider supporting leasing of equipment or subscription to outsourced services
  • Applicant companies must have been trading on Merseyside for a minimum of 12 months
  • The normal grant rate will be 40% of the total eligible cost. The applicant will be expected to meet the remaining 60% from other NON-public funding sources.
  • Any item purchased before the date of an offer of grant are not eligible for support.
  • The award of a grant is subject to De Minimus State Aid.
  • The grant is not payable towards any element of VAT, unless not VAT registered.
  • Grants cannot be matched in kind e.g. by applicant’s time.