Application for tenders/calls for proposals and the use of state aid SPS

The Slovenian Entrepreneurship Fund (SPS) provides state aid in the form of development incentives, which it grants through public tenders and calls for proposals in accordance with applicable legislation.

The incentives are intended for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia with the aim of:

The SPS provides access to various forms of assistance, exclusively through publicly announced tenders or calls for proposals.
Available are:

• Grants
• Favourable loans and microcredits
• Guarantees for bank loans with a subsidised interest rate
• Equity financing
• Other financial instruments tailored to the needs of companies

Each tender specifies in detail:

• the type of aid (e.g. guarantee, interest subsidy, grants),
• eligible companies,
• eligible costs and investments,
• exclusions (who cannot apply),
• the period of eligibility of costs.

Assistance may be granted:

• directly (through the SPS), or
• indirectly (through banks, venture capital funds, etc.).

All tender documentation and conditions are available for each tender separately on the link above.

Public tenders/calls for proposals are published:

• on the SPS website
• in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and other public media

Additional information can also be obtained from:

• bank advisors for credit financing
• regional craft chambers and chambers of commerce
• local business centres and business advisors

Companies can apply for an individual product through a public tender of the Slovenian Entrepreneurship Fund. The application is submitted with an official application form, prepared in accordance with the tender conditions. The company itself is responsible for the preparation and timely submission of the application.

Steps for application:

1. Check the terms and conditions of the tender/call for proposals: (who can apply, which costs are eligible or whether the investment is suitable for co-financing, etc.)
2. Prepare the documentation: in accordance with the tender conditions in electronic form.
3. Submit the application via the SPS ePortal: (digital submission).

The application must contain

• Application form (completed and submitted via the ePortal) with all the required attachments
• Presentation plan (specified in each tender separately)
• Business plan (you can use the free SPS tool)
• Creditworthiness certificates (BON-2 form or FURS certificate of paid tax liabilities)
• Bank resolution (if the tender relates to a bank loan)
• Other evidence (specified in each tender/call for proposals separately)

All forms and information are available for each tender separately in the TENDERS tab, whereby the Fund ensures a simple, transparent and transparent procedure.

• The entrepreneur decides whether to prepare the application himself or with external assistance.
• Advisors do not have SPS authorisation, so be careful with false assurances.
• Good advisors exist, but they must be chosen carefully and at your own risk.

The applications are evaluated by a tender commission on the basis of published criteria, among which the most common are (the criteria vary from tender to tender):

• Increase in value added per employee
• Export and expansion into foreign markets
• Innovation and development of new products/services
• New jobs

A higher score means a greater chance of state aid being approved.

Entrepreneurs should ensure that:

• They do not include ineligible costs (e.g. salaries, if not foreseen)
• Do not apply with investments that have already started
• Incorrectly determine the size of the company (micro, small, medium-sized)
• Do not neglect the rules on European compliance and time eligibility

All SPS aid falls under state aid, in accordance with EU rules. Aid is intended exclusively for new projects – it cannot be used retroactively!

Objectives of EU state aid:

• Increase in value added
• New jobs
• Increase in exports and innovation

More information:

• www.euskladi.si
• Ministry of Finance

Before applying, take the time to:

• detailed understanding of the tender/call for proposals
• preparation of a quality application
• calculation of project impacts
• consultation with an experienced advisor (if necessary)

“State aid is not granted automatically – funds are awarded on the basis of a competitive selection, so the application must be substantively strong, well prepared and clearly justified.”