The ARP initiated the process of receiving applications for support under the New Chance Policy with the budget of PLN 600 million in 2020
In our Alert of July we informed about the Act of 16 July 2020 on granting public aid for rescuing and restructuring enterprises ( “the RR Act”). The Act implements the so-called New Chance Policy and provides for support intended to rescue or restructure enterprises which are in a difficult situation and in need of external support, while still having potential and ideas for future development. It bears emphasizing that the support is addressed to those entrepreneurs who, due to their difficult situation before the pandemic, could not benefit from the COVID-19 Anti-Crisis Shield.
Applications for public aid
The budget allocated to the New Chance Policy is PLN 120 million annually for 10 years, with additional funds from the Anti-COVID-19 Fund in the period of 2020-21. The minimum budget for this year is PLN 600 million. The programme is operated by the Industry Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A. – ARP). The first call for applications was made, so those entrepreneurs who need restructuring support may submit their applications. Applications can be submitted continuously until the budget allocated for each year has been used up. Support is allotted on first come first served basis, provided that applications are accurate and complete. We encourage you to contact us to discuss the details of the programme and to obtain potential advice from Andersen on filing the application with ARP (including preparation of materials to be submitted together with the application).
We remind you that the Act provides for three instruments of support:
- rescue support,
- temporary restructuring support,
- restructuring support.
The essential information concerning the instruments is available here.
Who is eligible to get the support?
Applications can be filed by those entrepreneurs who are in a difficult economic situation or who are in the course of restructuring or consider liquidation. It is of no importance whether the economic difficulty is connected with COVID-19. It bears emphasizing that support can also be provided to those entrepreneurs who have already benefitted from another form of support under the Anti-Crisis Shield.
Generally, all entrepreneurs referred to in Art. 141(1) of the Restructuring Law may apply for the support. As regards certain instruments of support, size-related requirements differ depending on the scale of the entrepreneur’s operations.
- The rescue support and the restructuring support are addressed to micro, small, medium enterprises (up to EUR 10 million of support). If this amount is exceeded, and for large enterprises, there is an obligation to individually notify the European Commission about the public aid.
- The temporary restructuring support may only be granted to micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
Where can applications be submitted?
Detailed requirements and ways to submit applications are available from a dedicated website of the Industry Development Agency: https://www.arp.pl/uslugi-finansowe/polityka-nowej-szansy.
Presented above are the key issues concerning submission of applications for public aid under the New Chance Policy. You are welcome to contact us to discuss the details of the programme and to obtain potential advice from Andersen on how to file an application with ARP (including preparation of materials to be submitted together with the application).
KONTAKT
E: tomasz.srokosz@pl.Andersen.com
T: +48 32 731 68 52
M: +48 512 286 226
E: leszek.rydzewski@pl.Andersen.com
T: +48 22 690 08 69
M: +48 609 684 072