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This page serves as a living source of information for applicants to answer their additional questions related to the Call for Applications and Guide for Applicants. We will list all the questions we receive from the applicants with our respective answers, to provide equal opportunities for everyone.
Last update: 5 November 2024
Please address your questions related to the application process to FITD via the following email address: innovationvouchers@fitr.mk.
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Q: Can you tell me whether the company’s participation of 20% must be in money or can it be in the form of some equipment, services and the like?
A: The recipient of the voucher is obliged to co-finance the remaining amount of the total costs of the service, which is at least 20% of the total amount of the invoice, including VAT of the total costs. That’s the only option under this call.
Q: We would like to know if it is possible for us to act both as an applicant and a service provider within this scheme.
A: There are different Eligibility Criteria for applicants and for the service providers. As an applicant you have to be Legal business entity registered as a micro, small or medium-sized company (users of the IVs) and registered in any of the WB economies (at least 51% privately owned), incorporated under the current respective company law. As a service provider you have to be Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs) (at least 51% directly or indirectly state-owned), registered in any of the WB economies, incorporated under the current respective law on Higher Education Institutions and/or PROs and accredited by the relevant Ministries in the respective WB economy. Companies registered in any of the WB economies are companies that are predominantly owned by the public sector, Higher Education Institutions or PROs (50.1% or more).
Q: Can private University from Serbia that is Accredited by our ministry and equally participate in all national calls be Service provider in this call?
A: Only directly or indirectly state-owned Universities (at least 51%) are eligible as Service provider in this call.
Q: Do both of us, university and the partner company have to register on your website? Or application with pdf documents will be fine.
A: Just the company is applicant. All needed documents for application for voucher (from the applicant and the service provider) are included in the application. Here are the guidelines for the applicants WBIV_Guideline-for-applicants_v.pdf (westernbalkans-infohub.eu). All the details about the Western Balkan Innovation Vouchers and the application process can be found here:https://fitr.mk/en/western-balkans-innovation-vouchers-call/
Q: Could you tell me when the proposals will be evaluated?
A: Your application, together with other arrived applications, will be evaluated accordingly after the 20 November. We will update you with the outcome of the evaluation as soon as possible.
Q: We went through the Guide for applicants but we would be keen to know: Can we apply for managing the WB vouchers for a group/sectoral cluster of SMEs? If this is the case, how can we take the next step in this direction? The applicant who is the knowledge provider, can also be a non-profit entity?
A: Implementing organization for Western Balkan Innovation Vouchers is FITD. Sub management of the vouchers is not framed in the guidelines. Service Provider Eligible entities can be: public sector Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs) (at least 51% directly or indirectly state-owned), registered in any of the WB economies, incorporated under the current respective law on Higher Education Institutions and/or PROs and accredited by the relevant Ministries in the respective WB economy. Companies registered in any of the WB economies, predominantly owned by the public sector, Higher Education Institutions or PROs (50.1% or more) also can be Service Provider entities
Q: I am reaching out to explore potential funding opportunities for a project we are passionate about, which focuses on empowering youth in the fields of Technology and Social Media. We believe that your support could significantly enhance the impact and reach of this project.
A: In relation to the Western Balkans Innovation Voucher Scheme, we would like to clarify that there are specific eligibility criteria for participation. These include conditions such as the involvement of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and collaboration with public sector Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs). Should your project meet the eligible criteria of this call, we encourage you to proceed with the application.
Q: Can a private company provide the service?
A: Service Provider Eligible entities can be just Companies registered in any of the WB economies that are predominantly owned by the public sector, Higher Education Institutions or PROs (50.1% or more)(noted in 4.1. In the GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS).
Q: Would you be so kind to inform me if this Call is available only for applicants and service providers from North Macedonia or for all WB economies? This is not very clear in the Call text, considering the fact that your institution is named as the only leading institution for the call.
A: Please be informed that the Call for Innovation Voucher is open for all WB applicants. Please read the point nr. 3 in the Guideline for applicants, which describes the eligibility of applicants under the current call for IV.
Q: After carefully considering the call, I would like to ask you for clarification regarding the statement that the applicant and the service provider must be from two different WB economies. My question is, for example R&D institution is from Serbia while an applicant/legal business entity registered as a micro, small, or medium-sized company is from another WB economy. Is it not necessary to have partnerships with other R&D institutions located in the same economy as an applicant?
A: No, the applicants must cooperate with service providers from different economies where the applicants are located. They should not cooperate (establish a partnership) with R&D institution located in the same economy as an applicant.
Q: Is it possible to ask for a meeting or a phone call in order to explain the situation of our organisation in detail and together find a potential solution?
A: Unfortunately, we are not available for a meeting or phone call. In order to apply for the Innovation Voucher for the improvement of your business, please consider reviewing the Call for IV to check the eligibility, rules and procedures of the current call for applications.
Q: Regarding the call for IV proposal/applications, I would like to ask for clarification. Some statements make me doubt. Is the call open for all economies within the Western Balkans, or only for North Macedonia? Could you please clarify?
A: FITD is the implementing agency for the call (launched by the POLICY ANSWERS Horizon Europe project). The call is open for the whole Western Balkans. Wherever the beneficiaries are located, the contract will be made with FITD representing the POLICY ANSWERS project within Horizon Europe.
Q: I am contacting you on behalf of Center for Finance, Science and Research organisation from Montenegro. We are a private science and research organisation and holder of science and research licenses under the respective Law on science-research activity. I would like to check whether we can provide our services under this call and collaborate with WB SMEs upon their request?
A: Unfortunately, private science and research organisations are not eligible service providers under the Call for IV. Eligible entities are the public sector Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs) (at least 51% directly or indirectly state-owned), registered in any of the WB economies.
Q: Recently I have opened a small SME where the idea is to organise entertainment events for youth, also to connect the local artistic community in order to benefit through art and culture. I should invest more in marketing and services. This call would help me a lot and will give me a boost. I am interested in working with the creative industry of Tirana, is there any Centre or is it allowed to work with them?
A: According to the criteria of the Call for IV, you should cooperate with eligible entities which are the public sector Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs) (at least 51% directly or indirectly state-owned), registered in any of the WB economies, except those who are registered in your economy. In order to fulfil the criteria of the Call of WBIV we recommend you to check point 4.1 and 4.2 in the Guideline for applicants.
Q: Our consulting and management office is a for-profit association with the economic activity of services in administrative-legal affairs, also registered as a micro-enterprise. Our main activity is the provision of legal assistance and support and representation before public institutions, administrations and courts. Would you help to implement a software project?
A: All SME’s registered in one of the Western Balkan economies are eligible to apply and must cooperate with academia (Higher education and Research Institutions) from another WB economy, except the economy where the applicant is registered. More details for the call can be found here: https://fitr.mk/en/western-balkans-innovation-vouchers-call/
Q: I have a partner company in Skopje and am personally based in Serbia. Please let me know how we can get involved and how can we improve the cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia.
A: If you are a research institutions and/or academia you are able to cooperate with different SME’s from North Macedonia. Eligible entities are the public sector Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or public sector R&D organisations (PROs) (at least 51% directly or indirectly state-owned), registered in any of the WB economies. Please check the guideline for applicants specifically the section Service Provider Eligibility Criteria.
Q: We want to apply for an Innovation Voucher. Where can we find more details?
A: All the details and application process about the Western Balkan Innovation Vouchers can be found here:
https://fitr.mk/en/western-balkans-innovation-vouchers-call/
https://www.westernbalkans-infohub.eu/calls/western-balkans-innovation-voucher-scheme/
Q: In line with the Call for Applications for the Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers, we would like to ask whether owners of craft activities are allowed to apply.
A: Please be informed that the company must be a legal business entity incorporated under the respective current Western Balkan company law, registered at any Western Balkan Business Registration Agency and located in the Western Balkans. More details for the eligibility of applicants you can find under point nr. 3 Who can apply? within the guidelines for applicants.
Q: I have SME operating in rural area of BiH, but please clarify to me the following: Should I find research intuition from other countries in WB than Bosnia? I will apply for the funding and pay them to develop my new innovation product?
A: Yes, you as SME should cooperate with a research institution and/ or higher education institution located in one of the WB economies, except from the country where your SME is registered.
Q: Could you please let me have more info about the application process regarding the WBHub? We are a public university from Croatia.
A: Unfortunately, the applicants and service providers from Croatia are not eligible under the current call for Western Balkan Innovation Vouchers.
Q: Can a Service Provider participate in multiple Innovation Vouchers?
A: Yes, a Service Provider can offer services to multiple companies, as there are no restrictions in this call limiting the number of Vouchers they can engage in.
Q: If I’m currently receiving a grant from FITD, am I eligible for an Innovation Voucher?
A: Yes, you are eligible. There are no restrictions in this call preventing current FITD grant recipients from applying for an Innovation Voucher.
Q: Does the company need to cover 20% of the Innovation Voucher cost?
A: Yes, the company must contribute with at least 20% of the total value of the Innovation Voucher. This contribution is paid directly to the Service Provider.
Q: I`m currently running innovation for renewable energy. Am I eligible to apply?
A: Yes, you are eligible. Priority is given to projects related to the green agenda and green services.
Q: Does the application submission date affect the evaluation, or will all applications be evaluated after the deadline?
A: The deadline for all applications is November 20, 2024. Evaluation will begin only after the deadline.
Q: Are private waste management companies eligible for this call?
A: Yes, private waste management companies are eligible if they meet all other criteria of the call.
Q: Will our company receive the payment for the Voucher directly?
A: No, FITD pays the Voucher amount directly to the Service Provider.
Q: We are a software development company based in North Macedonia, providing services to companies in North Macedonia and Serbia. Are we eligible for this Voucher?
A: If your company needs to improve its own processes or services, you are eligible to apply. However, if your intention is to use the Voucher to offer services to other companies, you are not eligible under this call.