What is "Go Digital" in Thuringia and what are the goals of the program?
"Go Digital" is a program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digitization. The program is also offered and implemented in Thuringia.
The aim of "Go Digital" is to support SMEs in their digital transformation and thereby increase their competitiveness. Specifically, companies are supported in the introduction of digital technologies and processes. Advice is provided by specially trained and certified consultants who work with the company to develop suitable digitization strategies.
In Thuringia, the program is coordinated and implemented by the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Science and Digital Society. Companies can receive funding of up to 50% of the consulting costs covered by the consultants. There are various modules that can be individually combined depending on the needs of the company. These include, for example, the topics of digitization of business processes, IT security, online marketing or e-commerce.
"Go Digital" aims to enable Thuringian SMEs to face the challenges of digital transformation and increase their competitiveness.
Who can take part in the Go Digital program in Thuringia and what requirements must be met?
In principle, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all sectors in Thuringia can take part in the "Go Digital" program.
There are a few requirements that must be met in order to participate in the program:
• The company must have fewer than 100 employees.
• The annual turnover may not exceed 20 million euros or the Annual balance sheet total may not exceed 20 million euros.
• The company must have been in the market for at least one year.
• The company must have its registered office or a permanent establishment in Thuringia.
In addition, the participating companies should have an interest in introducing digital technologies and processes and be willing to invest in digital transformation.
To participate in the program, companies must apply and opt in for advice from a certified consultant. The costs for the consultation are funded at 50% by the BMWi.
How does the consultation process work as part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia?
The consultation process as part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia takes place in several steps:
• Contact and initial consultation: Companies can contact a certified consultant directly or make an inquiry via the program's website. In an initial meeting, the consultant clarifies the need and the scope of the consultation.
• Application: If the company decides to seek advice, it submits an application via the "Go Digital" online portal. The application must contain information about the company, the planned consultation and the financing.
• Selection of the consultant: The consultant is selected by the project office of "Go Digital" in Thuringia. A suitable consultant will be selected from the network of consultants who will carry out the consultation.
• Implementation of the consultation: The consultant conducts the consultation at the company's site or online. During the consultation, a digitization strategy is developed together with the company and concrete recommendations for action are given.
• Implementation of the measures: The company implements the recommended measures independently or commissions a service provider to do so.
• Final report: After the consultation, the company receives a final report that documents the results of the consultation and the recommended measures.
• Settlement: The consultant settles the consulting costs with the "Go Digital" project office. The company receives a subsidy of 50% of the consulting costs, which is paid directly to the consultant.
How long does the funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia last and what steps must be taken to receive funding?
The funding process as part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia is usually uncomplicated and takes about 4-6 weeks. Below are the main steps companies need to take in order to receive a grant:
- Application: Companies must apply for funding via the "Go Digital" online portal. The application must contain information about the company, the planned consultation and the financing.
- Selection of the consultant: The consultant is selected by the project office of "Go Digital" in Thuringia. A suitable consultant will be selected from the network of consultants who will carry out the consultation.
- Implementation of the consultation: The consultant conducts the consultation at the company's site or online. During the consultation, a digitization strategy is developed together with the company and concrete recommendations for action are given.
- Declaration of assumption of costs: Before starting the consultation, the company must sign a declaration of assumption of costs. In it, it confirms that it will pay the consulting costs in full if the funding is not approved.
- Final report: After the consultation, the company receives a final report that documents the results of the consultation and the recommended measures.
- Settlement: The consultant settles the consulting costs with the "Go Digital" project office. The company receives a subsidy of 50% of the consulting costs, which is paid directly to the consultant.
Overall, the funding process usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks if all the documents are complete and the funding is approved.
What other programs are there to promote digitization in Thuringia and how do they differ from "Go Digital"?
In addition to the "Go Digital" program, there are other programs in Thuringia to promote digitization. Some of them are:
- Thuringia Digital: The program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers and offers financial support for the implementation of digitization projects. For example, the purchase of hardware and software, the introduction of cloud solutions or the optimization of business processes can be promoted.
- Thüringen-Innovativ: The program promotes cooperation between SMEs and research institutions and thus supports innovative projects in the fields of technology and digitization.
- Thuringian digital bonus: The digital bonus is financial support for small and medium- sized companies and freelancers who want to invest in digitization measures. For example, investments in hardware and software, cloud solutions, e-commerce or online marketing can be funded.
- ThEx Digital: With ThEx Digital, the Thuringian Center for Business Start-ups and Entrepreneurship (ThEx) offers a program to promote digitization especially for start- ups and young companies. Free workshops, advice and coaching are offered to support companies in the implementation of digitization projects.
Compared to "Go Digital", the programs mentioned differ in terms of the target group, the funded measures and the funding conditions. While "Go Digital" is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized companies and supports advice on digital topics, other programs in Thuringia also promote investments in technology or innovative research projects.
What is the difference between applying for Go Digital in Thuringia and other federal states in Germany?
"Go Digital" is a nationwide funding program that is offered in all federal states. Basically, the conditions and requirements for funding in the different federal states are similar.
However, there may be differences in the funding conditions depending on the federal state, for example with regard to the maximum funding amount or the supported consulting topics.
In Thuringia, applications for the program are made via a central online portal operated by the project office in Thuringia. However, other states may have their own procedures for how to apply. In some federal states, for example, you have to contact a responsible institution such as an IHK or Chamber of Crafts directly to apply for funding.
In terms of content, the consulting services for "Go Digital" do not usually differ in the various federal states. The advice can focus on topics such as the introduction of e-commerce, the optimization of business processes or the improvement of IT security.
However, it is important to note that each state has its own eligibility requirements and these may change from time to time. Companies should therefore always check the current conditions to ensure they meet all requirements and can receive funding.
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Thuringia, Germany?
Here are some other important details about the "Go Digital" initiative in Thuringia:
• Advice on topics: "Go Digital" offers companies advice on various digitization topics, such as e-commerce, online marketing, IT security, cloud computing, business process optimization and digital infrastructure.
• Consulting firms: The consulting services within the framework of "Go Digital" are provided by recognized consulting firms that are accredited by the federal government. Companies can select a consultant themselves from the list or have a suitable consultant put in place by the "Go Digital" project office.
• Amount of funding: As part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia, companies can apply for funding of up to 50 percent of the consulting costs. The maximum amount of funding is 16,500 euros. The consulting costs are calculated on the basis of a fixed daily rate.
• Eligible companies: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft businesses with fewer than 100 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet of no more than 20 million euros are eligible.
• Application: Companies can apply for funding as part of "Go Digital" directly via the online portal of the Thuringian project office. There they must provide information about their company and the subject of the consultation and submit an offer from an accredited consulting firm.
• Project duration: The consulting service as part of "Go Digital" usually includes three to five consulting days and can be completed within six months.
• Combinability: Funding within the framework of "Go Digital" can be combined with other public funding programs as long as the maximum funding amount is not exceeded.
All in all, "Go Digital" in Thuringia offers small and medium-sized companies valuable support with digitization and can help to strengthen the competitiveness of companies.
What documents are required for submission and can applications for the "Go Digital" program in Thuringia be rejected?
The following documents are required to submit an application for funding as part of "Go Digital" in Thuringia:
1. Application for funding via the online portal of the project office. 2. Offer from an accredited consulting firm.
3. Business registration or excerpt from the commercial register.
4. Corporate Representation.
5. Annual accounts for the last two years (if available).
The project office reserves the right to reject applications for funding within the framework of "Go Digital" if the application documents are incomplete or incorrect or if the company is not eligible for funding. It can also happen that the number of applications exceeds the available funds and the funding is rejected for this reason.
It is therefore important that companies ensure that their application documentation is complete and correct before submitting the application. Businesses should also ensure they meet all requirements to be eligible.
Information about the donor "Go Digital" in Thuringia
"Go Digital" is a funding program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) in Germany, which is carried out in cooperation with the federal states. In Thuringia, the program is implemented by the Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB). TAB is a state development bank that supports companies and municipalities in Thuringia with various development programs.
The funding for "Go Digital" is provided by funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and federal funds. The amount of funding is up to 50% of the consulting costs, but no more than 16,500 euros. This means that companies that are advised as part of "Go Digital" only have to bear half of the consulting costs themselves.
The aim of the program is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digitizing their business processes and thus strengthen their competitiveness.
Sources:
https://www.innova/on-beratung-foerderung.de/INNO/Naviga/on/DE/go-digital/go-digital.html
https://seonicals.de/foerderung/
https://www.ihk.de/erfurt/service/innova/onen/foerderprogramme/go-digital-3785488
https://www.digitalagentur-thueringen.de/thueringer-digitalstrategie/
https://www.digitalmanufaktur.com/blog/finanzierung-digitalprojekte
https://www.ihk.de/gera/innova/on-umwelt/foerderung-finanzierung/foerderprogramm-go-digital-5376178
