The new phase of the Competitive Sectors Program, implemented by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology and co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, aims to increase productivity in industry and production and contribute to reducing the current account deficit. A budget of 405 million euros has been allocated for this new phase. The program, which will run until the end of 2026, is expected to develop projects focusing on transformation in the manufacturing industry, R&D and innovation, technology transfer and commercialization, and services and creative industries.
At a meeting organized by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology in Ankara to provide information about program priorities and call for proposals, participants were informed about how institutions and organizations applying for the program should proceed during the process and what to pay attention to when preparing projects.
NEW TOPICS FOR THE PROGRAM
Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry
The aim is to help transform the manufacturing industry and move it to higher levels in the global value chain. In this context, projects are expected that will contribute to increasing exports and added value, including activities such as activating shared facilities, increasing the capacity of facilities and employees, clustering, developing strategic roadmaps, and promotion.
Public institutions, development agencies, universities, and semi-public and non-profit organizations representing the business world, such as TOBB, TİM, export associations' general secretariats, and OSB and TGB managements, can apply by developing projects. Regarding financial instruments, international financial institutions, universities, non-profit business representative organizations, and public institutions can be the ultimate beneficiaries.
Services and Creative Industries
The aim is to increase the competitiveness of the tourism sector and creative industries in particular. The Services and Creative Industries field, a new concept for Turkey, is not supported in this first call for proposals. However, in subsequent call periods, projects developed in this area are expected to strengthen the links between creative industries and manufacturing, contribute to increased exports and added value, and support the transformation of the manufacturing industry.
Public institutions, development agencies, universities (accelerators), incubators, and semi-public and non-profit organizations representing the business world, such as TOBB, TİM, export associations' general secretariats, and OSB and TGB managements, can benefit from the support with the projects they develop.
Research and Development
The aim is to support the development of new and innovative products and the initial stages of the innovation process. In this context, it is expected that projects will be developed encompassing activities such as increasing the capacity of R&D centers, making existing R&D facilities operational, conducting R&D activities to produce product prototypes, providing testing and certification services for prototyped products, carrying out joint university-industry research projects, and raising awareness and developing capacity, particularly regarding social innovation.
SMEs will be able to benefit from project support from R&D and innovation-focused structures such as universities, TTOs, TGBs, technology centers, incubators, and accelerators that are research partners in the public or private sector. If a grant and competition model is implemented in the future, SMEs will be able to apply directly.
Technology Transfer and Commercialization
The goal is to support the market-close stages of the innovation process, particularly the main commercialization activities. Within this framework, projects are expected to support the establishment of innovative start-ups, the emergence of innovative entrepreneurs, faster market launch and commercialization of innovative products, and collaboration between innovative ideas and investors.
SMEs, young entrepreneurs, innovators/inventors (including social innovators), and start-ups, and/or their research partners in the public or private sector such as technology transfer offices, technology development zones, technology centers, incubators, and accelerators, will be eligible to benefit from the support as ultimate beneficiaries. SMEs, young entrepreneurs, innovators/inventors (including social innovators), and start-ups will be able to apply directly if the grant and competition model is implemented in the future.
In addition to the contribution of the projects to the objectives in the application areas, the number of SMEs that will benefit from the outputs of these projects is also among the important evaluation criteria for the projects to be supported.
Applications are made through the website.
Organizations wishing to benefit from the Competitive Sectors Programme funds must submit their applications by 5:00 PM on June 9, 2017. The deadline for submitting printed copies is June 16, 2017. Information regarding the application and project processes can be accessed at "http://rekabetcisektorler.sanayi.gov.tr/". Institutions and organizations planning to apply can submit their questions to the Programme Authority regarding the application and project development process. Questions will be answered weekly via the website. The deadline for applicants to submit questions is June 2, 2017, and the Ministry's final response date is June 5, 2017.
What is the Competitive Sectors Program?
The Competitive Sectors Programme is a program implemented by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology within the framework of the financial cooperation agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the European Union, utilizing a budget of approximately 900 million euros through various projects. Running since 2007, the program aims to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs and contribute to social and economic development in order to balance regional disparities in Türkiye.
In the first phase of the program, covering the years 2007-2013, large-scale investments were implemented in 43 provinces, from Hatay to Sinop, and from Mardin to Yozgat, with a budget of approximately 500 million euros. The Competitive Sectors Program provided financial resources to projects that met the infrastructure and technology needs of SMEs by establishing shared workshops and production facilities, increasing the added value of production through innovative technologies, improving access to finance, and developing tourism infrastructure.
This important investment program will provide hundreds of SMEs and businesses with the opportunity to improve themselves in areas such as technical infrastructure, R&D, foreign trade, marketing and business management, logistics and warehousing, thereby increasing their business and competitiveness and opening up to new markets. With increased business and competitiveness, and the creation of new job opportunities, the program aims to increase economic and social well-being in its target regions. Within the framework of the new period of EU-Turkey financial cooperation, the Competitive Sectors Program, whose target region has been expanded to include all of Turkey between 2014-2020, plans to extend development initiatives to a wider geographical area by including areas such as innovation and R&D within its scope of support.
