What is "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate and what are the goals of the program?
"Go Digital" is a program of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which is intended to support small and medium-sized companies in advancing their digitization. The aim of the program is to help companies increase their competitiveness and be successful in the long term by digitizing their business processes and introducing modern technologies.
Specifically, "Go Digital" offers companies advice and support for the introduction of digital technologies. This includes, for example, the introduction of e-commerce solutions, the implementation of digital customer management systems or the introduction of cloud computing solutions. The training of employees in the new technologies is also part of the program.
The program is funded jointly by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Companies can use the program free of charge, the consulting services are financed 50% by the state and 50% by the federal government.
In summary, it can be said that "Go Digital" is intended to help advance digitization in Rhineland-Palatinate and to help small and medium-sized companies to benefit from the advantages of digitization.
Who can take part in the Go Digital program in Rhineland-Palatinate and what requirements must be met?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have their headquarters or a branch in Rhineland-Palatinate can take part in the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate. It is irrelevant whether the company is active in trade, crafts, industry or services. Freelancers and entrepreneurs can also take part in the program.
However, certain requirements must be met in order to participate in the program. For example, companies must employ fewer than 100 people and have annual sales or an annual balance sheet total of no more than 20 million euros. In addition, the company must have been active on the market for at least two years.
Furthermore, the companies must be able to bear at least 50% of the consulting costs themselves. Half of the consulting costs are borne by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
How does the consultation process work as part of "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate?
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate takes place in several steps. Here is a brief summary of each step:
Contact: Companies that are interested in advice as part of "Go Digital" can first contact one of the state-wide contact points, for example the IHK, the Chamber of Crafts or the future
initiative of Rhineland-Palatinate. There, the company's concern is recorded and checked to see whether it is suitable for funding within the framework of "Go Digital".
• Initial consultation: If the company is suitable for funding, it will be offered an initial consultation. The company's digitization project is recorded in more detail and it is checked which measures can be funded as part of "Go Digital". The initial consultation is free and non-binding.
• Selection of a consulting firm: If the company decides to seek advice as part of "Go Digital", a consulting firm that is suitable for the specific digitization project will be recommended. The consulting companies are approved by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and have extensive experience in advising small and medium-sized companies.
• Implementation of the digitization project: The consulting firm supports the company in implementing the digitization project. For example, training courses for employees can be carried out or IT solutions can be implemented.
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate is well structured and aims to provide companies with targeted support in the implementation of their digitization projects. However, the exact details of the process may vary depending on the point of contact and consulting firm.
How long does the funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Rhineland- Palatinate take and what steps must be taken to receive funding?
The funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate usually takes several weeks to months and includes several steps. Here is an overview of the most important steps:
- Contact: The company contacts one of the nationwide contact points and describes its digitization project.
- Initial consultation: The company receives a free, non-binding initial consultation to check whether the project is suitable for funding within the framework of "Go Digital".
- Application: If the company decides to receive funding as part of "Go Digital", it submits an application for funding. The application can be submitted online or in paper form and must contain the exact details of the digitization project and a statement of costs.
- Selection of a consulting company: If the application is approved, the company will be recommended a consulting company that is suitable for the digitization project.
- Implementation of the digitization project: The consulting firm supports the company in implementing the project. The funding covers up to 50% of the consulting costs and is limited to a maximum of 16,500 euros.
- Final report: After completion of the advisory process, a final report must be drawn up that summarizes the results of the advisory and the implementation of the digitization project.
- Disbursement of funds: If the final report is approved, the funds will be disbursed.
The exact duration of the funding process may vary depending on the contact point and consulting firm. However, the process usually takes several weeks to months.
What other programs are there to promote digitization in Rhineland- Palatinate and how do they differ from "Go Digital"?
In addition to the "Go Digital" program, there are other programs in Rhineland-Palatinate to promote digitization. Here are some examples:
• Digital Bonus. RLP: The "Digitalbonus. RLP" program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Rhineland-Palatinate. It promotes investments in the digitization and automation of business processes, for example the purchase of hardware and software or the implementation of IT security solutions. Funding is up to 50% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 10,000 euros. A special feature of digital bonus. RLP is that it also promotes the digitization of work and communication processes in the home office.
• Digital innovation voucher: The "Digital Innovation Voucher" is a funding program of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which is aimed at SMEs. It supports companies in realizing innovative digitization projects, for example the introduction of e-commerce solutions or the implementation of artificial intelligence. Funding is up to 50% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of 15,000 euros.
• Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Kaiserslautern: The "Mittelstand 4.0- Kompetenzzentrum Kaiserslautern" offers free advice and support for companies in the digitization of business processes. It is aimed at SMEs from all sectors and offers, for example, workshops, training courses and demonstration projects.
The programs mentioned differ from "Go Digital" in their target group, funding amount and funding focus. While "Go Digital" is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized companies who want advice on digitizing business processes, the other programs are aimed at companies that are investing in digitization or implementing innovative digitization projects
would like. The amount of funding and the funding priorities may vary depending on the program.
What is the difference between applying for Go Digital in Rhineland- Palatinate and other federal states in Germany?
Basically, the "Go Digital" program is a nationwide funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which is offered in every federal state. The basic objectives and benefits of the program are therefore the same in every federal state.
However, the individual federal states can set different priorities or offer additional funding opportunities. The specific implementation of the program can also vary from state to state, for example with regard to the selection of consulting firms or the type of funding applications.
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Rhineland- Palatinate, Germany:
• Target group: "Go Digital" is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft businesses in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Funding: Under the program, companies can receive funding of up to 50% of the consulting costs (up to a maximum of EUR 1,500). The consulting costs must be at least 1,000 euros.
• Consulting topics: The consulting topics within the framework of "Go Digital" include, for example, the introduction of e-commerce solutions, the optimization of business processes through the use of digital technologies, the improvement of IT security and the development of online marketing strategies.
• Consulting firms: Companies can choose from a pool of approved consulting firms for the consultations within the framework of "Go Digital". The consulting companies must meet certain criteria, such as appropriate professional qualifications and experience in the field of digitization.
• Procedure: Companies interested in "Go Digital" advice can contact an approved consulting firm directly and request advice. After the consultation has been carried out, the company submits an application for funding to the Investment and Structure Bank Rhineland-Palatinate (ISB).
What documents are required for submission and can applications for the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate be rejected?
The following documents are required to submit an application as part of the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate:
• Completed and signed application.
• Copy of the extract from the commercial register or trade license.
• Financing plan and statement of costs for the consulting service.
• Signed self-declaration of eligibility.
• The exact requirements and forms can be found on the Investment and Structure Bank Rhineland-Palatinate (ISB) can be downloaded.
There is a general possibility that an application for the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland- Palatinate will be rejected. This can be the case, for example, if the company does not meet
the requirements for funding or the consulting service requested is not eligible for funding. In any case, however, the company will receive a written justification for the rejection of the application.
Information about the donor "Go Digital" in Rhineland-Palatinate
The sponsor of the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate is the state of Rhineland- Palatinate, more precisely the Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture (MWVLW). The funding is provided and managed by the Investment and Structure Bank Rhineland-Palatinate (ISB).
The "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate is financed by several donors. The main donors are the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is providing a total of 2.5 million euros in funding for the "Go Digital" program. The funds come from the budget of the Ministry of Economy, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is a funding program of the European Union to support projects in the regions of Europe. As part of the "Go Digital" program in Rhineland-Palatinate, funds are made available from the ERDF program "Investments in Growth and Employment".
In addition, the federal government is also involved in the promotion of digitization measures in companies with funds from the "Digital Now" program. The program is coordinated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and implemented by the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW).
Sources:
https://www.bmwk.de/Redak1on/DE/Ar1kel/Digitale-Welt/foerderprogramm-go-digital.html
https://foerdershop.de/foerderungen-rheinland-pfalz-unternehmen/
https://foerdershop.de/foerderungen-rheinland-pfalz-unternehmen/
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en?etrans=de
