Factsheet for measure
DE-2022-1/2555
– measures in Germany
Promotion of business consultancies for SME
Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU
Background information
The policy provides conceptual and individual consultations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and members of the liberal professions with the objective of enhancing their competitiveness in the context of economic, demographic, digital and ecological challenges. It is co-funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the European Social Fund Plus.
The policy is a successor to the 'Consulting on Business Knowledge' programme, which concluded on 31 December 2021. The modifications pertain primarily to the definition of the eligibility groups, the funding rates, and the prioritisation of the themes of equality, non-discrimination and environmental sustainability, in addition to the enhancement of entrepreneurial abilities and job security.
Content of measure
The measure is aimed at:
* micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined by the EU with a registered office and business activity in Germany
*Members of liberal professions
Business consultancy services must be individual and may not last more than five days; seminars and workshops are not eligible.
The amount of funding depends on the maximum eligible consultancy costs and the location of the company. In the new federal states (excluding Berlin and the Leipzig region), the Lüneburg region and the Trier region, the funding rate is 80%, with a maximum grant of €2,800; in the old federal states (excluding the Lüneburg region and the Trier region), Berlin and the Leipzig region, the funding rate is 50%, with a maximum grant of €1,750. Companies can receive funding for two consultations per year, up to a maximum of 5 in total.
In contrast to the predecessor programme ‘Consulting on business knowledge’, this means that funding is available regardless of the age of the company. The funding amounts have also been adjusted: Previously, for example, young companies in eastern Germany (excluding Berlin and the Leipzig region) could receive up to 80% and a maximum of €3,200 of consultancy costs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 100% funding was provided up to a maximum of €4,000.
Use of measure
This measure proactively supports businesses in avoiding mismanagement and insolvency. An evaluation of the new programme (set up in 2023) is not yet available.
By 2022, over 85,000 SMEs and 17,000 participants had received advice as part of the previous ‘Consulting on business knowledge’ programme. However, the German newspaper 'Sueddeutsche Zeitung' reported in June 2020 that some consultants provided false information to clients and promised financial support, though clients were not eligible for funding. In the report, the media also warns about unprofessional consultants that provide services within the scope of the programme without having sufficient expertise.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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European Funds
National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
-
Unknown
-
Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
Unknown
Views and reactions
Unknown
Sources
