Boosting Trade through EU Standards Alignment - LOT 1

QUESTION 1 – IMPACT OF THE PROJECT 

Please complete Annex 3 - Project Results and explain the impact of the project considering each of the 4 points below.

1.1 Please describe the expected results of your project, including the overall impact and key changes in your business. In your response:

• Briefly describe your current business (baseline) relevant to the project, including core activities, main products/services, target customers and markets, and any key constraints (e.g. capacity, certification, market access);
• Explain the overall impact of the project (e.g. on competitiveness, market access, and growth);
• Describe the main outcomes (what will change in your business as a result of the project?);
• Ensure your results are specific, measurable, and clearly linked to the project activities;
• Demonstrate how the project contributes to improved competitiveness, alignment with EU standards, and access to the Green Line, wider EU or other markets.

1.2 Please provide further details on how your project will enhance the competitiveness of your business. In your response:

• Describe and explain how competitiveness will be enhanced (e.g. through innovation, product quality, business processes, digitalisation, operational efficiency, sustainability/green transition etc);
• Quantifiable targets and improvements must be evidenced (e.g. increased production capacity, reduced costs, improved processing time, reduced waste, improved marketing etc) and how these will enhance competitiveness.

1.3 Please explain how your project supports alignment with EU standards e.g. implementation of EU policies, strategies, regulatory requirements, best practise, product standards, upgraded systems or certification processes. In your response:

• Specify which EU standards, regulations, certifications, or best practices are relevant to your project (e.g. CE marking, sector-specific requirements, EU regulations or other);
• Describe the specific actions you will take to achieve or improve compliance (e.g. certification processes, system upgrades, process improvements);
• Explain how these actions will strengthen your business and support access to Green Line Trade and/or EU markets.

1.4 Please explain the project’s contribution to the overall objectives of the grant scheme. In your response:

• Explain clearly how your project contributes to the objectives of this Grant Scheme, namely supporting SMEs and microbusinesses align with EU standards and improve innovation and competitiveness in order to create pathways and capacity to trade across the Green Line and/or wider EU market.
• Please indicate which of the following specific objectives your project addresses and how:
• Improve product quality and business value through alignment with EU standards for products and business processes;
• Promote innovative business practices and processes that enhance capacity and competitiveness for trade;
• Support the digitalisation and green transition of SMEs to foster sustainable growth and increased market access.

 
1200 words max

QUESTION 2 – TRADE POTENTIAL 

2.1 Please clearly describe your existing and/or potential market positioning, including your target customers and target markets. In your response:

• Define your main target customer groups (e.g. distributors, retailers, contractors, end users);
• Specify your target markets (Green Line Trade, EU countries, other markets)
• Explain why these markets have been targeted;
• Describe your competitive advantage (e.g. price, quality, customer base, certification, delivery, innovation);
• Indicate whether you are currently active in these markets or planning to enter them through this project.

2.2 Please explain how your project will support access to, expansion in, or readiness for trade across the Green Line and/or the wider EU market. In your response:

• Describe how the project will improve your ability to trade (e.g. compliance with EU standards, increased capacity, improved quality, digitalisation);
• Clarify whether the impact is direct (e.g. enabling immediate trade) or indirect (e.g. improving readiness for future trade);
• Identify your current barriers to trade and explain how the project will address them;
• Clearly link your project activities to expected improvements in Green Line Trade and/or EU market access.

 2.3 Please present your projected trade outcomes and explain the basis for your sales forecasts. In your response:

• Provide your current sales baseline, breaking down by Green Line Trade, wider EU market and other markets;
• Present your sales forecasts for the next two years;
• Explain the key assumptions underlying these projections (e.g. production capacity, demand, number of clients, pricing);
• Support your projections with relevant evidence (e.g. past sales data, contracts, market research);
• Ensure your projections are realistic and clearly linked to the project activities.

 

800 words maximum

QUESTION 3 – OPERATIONAL AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAPACITY 

3.1  Please provide the list of key activities and indicative timeliness for completion for each activity. Please complete Annex 2 - Activity Plan.

• The activities proposed should be appropriate and practical to enable the changes, impact and results outlined in Annex 1 to be achieved.
• Present a clear and realistic timeline of activities.
• Ensure activities are logically sequenced and feasible within the timeframe.
• Link activities directly to project objectives and outputs.

3.2  Please outline the team who will be managing this project and outline previous relevant project management skills and experience.

• Describe key team members and their roles.
• Highlight relevant experience (technical, managerial, project-related).
• Demonstrate ability to deliver and manage the project effectively.

 3.3  Please outline any risks and challenges the project anticipates facing and how these will be managed.

• Identify main risks (e.g. delays, supply issues, financial constraints).
• Explain practical mitigation measures.
• Show awareness of risks and preparedness to manage them.

 

800 words maximum

QUESTION 4 – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND VALUE FOR MONEY 

4.1 Please complete Annex 1 - Estimated Budget. 

• Please provide a detailed breakdown by activity and item, the overall total costs of the project and the grant amount being sought. 

4.2 Please outline how the grant budget will be managed and monitored in terms of cashflow.

•  Please explain how you will plan, track, and manage project-related payments during implementation. In your response, describe how you will ensure that sufficient funds are available when needed, including the applicant’s own contribution where relevant, and how you will monitor spending against the approved budget. 

4.3 Demonstrate value for money of the grant amount being requested relative to the impact and changes the grant will achieve. 

•  Explain why the cost is reasonable compared to the improvements your project will achieve. 
   

500 words max

QUESTION 5 – SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT 

 5.1 Explain how the action will be sustainable upon completion of the project including the longer-term impact of the grant and any follow up activities planned upon completion of the project to continue trade.

•  In your reply please include how you will continue using the improvements made through the project, and how they will help your business grow, keep customers, or increase/ sustain trade in the future.

300 words maximum

QUESTION 6 – PRIOR EU-FUNDED SUPPORT