Already at the beginning of May, entrepreneurs will be able to submit applications for support for expanding or changing the profile of their existing business in sectors such as hospitality, gastronomy (HoReCa), tourism or culture. The A1.2.1 investment is financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP), and the maximum amount that can be applied for is PLN 540 thousand!

According to research by the Polish Development Fund and the Polish Economic Institute, in 2020 the declines in revenues caused by the onset of the pandemic affected more than 60% of enterprises. One in four companies had difficulties with settling liabilities, and 30% with enforcing receivables. This was the case for businesses in general, but for companies in the HoReCa, tourism and culture sectors were particularly affected. Therefore, it has become necessary to adapt the business to the ability to cope with crisis situations in the future by introducing new ways of providing products and services, reprofiling the business or diversifying it. This, in turn, should contribute to an increase in business activity, productivity growth and the creation of new jobs.

The aim of the investment is to support SMEs that plan to expand or change the profile of their existing activities in sectors such as hospitality, catering (HoReCa), tourism or culture. The aid will be available to enterprises operating under the Polish Classification of Activities (PKD) indicated in the competition regulations, which in 2020–2021 recorded a year-on-year decrease in turnover by at least 30%.

The maximum level of co-financing will be 90%, and the maximum amount of support for an SME project is PLN 540 thousand. The subsidy will be granted as part of de minimis aid, and

settled only in the form of reimbursement; The applicant will not be able to apply for an advance payment.

The implementation period of the SME project is 12 months and must end by 31 January 2026 at the latest.

Source: PARP