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Electronic system for SME grant applications "AYAE"
Published on 13 January 2022
Spain
Castilla y León
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
One of the main problems addressed was improving relationship with the beneficiaries facilitating their access to documentation, as well as the internal management of their files.
It is a web tool specifically designed for sustainable energy regional grants; indeed, “AYAE” is the acronym of the Spanish name of the tool “Ayudas de Ahorro y Eficiencia Energética” (saving and energy efficiency grants):
- Any call regarding sustainable energy, such as energy efficiency in companies, renewable energies, building retrofitting, eco-mobility, etc., can be manage by this tool (easily adaptable to each call).
AYAE calculates the percentage of financial subsidy on the basis of the energy consumption data entered by the applicants, depending on the requirements set out by each call.
Allows the SME to easily make a calculation of the potential subsidy before submitting the application of energy efficiency improvement.
The main stakeholders are the applicants who receive the aid, but also the department of the Public Administration that runs the grants and the IT Department of the Regional Administration as well, in charge of the programming the initial web tool and the following versions.
It is a web tool specifically designed for sustainable energy regional grants; indeed, “AYAE” is the acronym of the Spanish name of the tool “Ayudas de Ahorro y Eficiencia Energética” (saving and energy efficiency grants):
- Any call regarding sustainable energy, such as energy efficiency in companies, renewable energies, building retrofitting, eco-mobility, etc., can be manage by this tool (easily adaptable to each call).
AYAE calculates the percentage of financial subsidy on the basis of the energy consumption data entered by the applicants, depending on the requirements set out by each call.
Allows the SME to easily make a calculation of the potential subsidy before submitting the application of energy efficiency improvement.
The main stakeholders are the applicants who receive the aid, but also the department of the Public Administration that runs the grants and the IT Department of the Regional Administration as well, in charge of the programming the initial web tool and the following versions.
Expert opinion
There are significant funds available for supporting SMEs in the low-carbon transition, but in setting up support schemes, public authorities need to consider the ease of application to encourage applications. SMEs often have limited resources, and this includes both time and expertise. Having a single web portal through which to submit applications, which can also calculate subsidies is efficient and clear. This practice is a good example of a submission platform that works for both applicants and administrations, having also a significant reduction to administrative costs for a small investment.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Tool set up: 2 experts on energy efficiency and IT staff: 3 people (project manager, analyst and software developer).
Tool maintenance: 1 expert on energy efficiency and IT staff: 1 project analyst and 1 software developer. External assistance (programming, web designing): 5.000 €/year.
Tool maintenance: 1 expert on energy efficiency and IT staff: 1 project analyst and 1 software developer. External assistance (programming, web designing): 5.000 €/year.
Evidence of success
AYAE processing is more agile, secure, direct and available 24/7. It offers benefits in terms of reduced processing times and costs. According to a comparative study with the previous system, done by the Energy Agency, files’ administrative resolution, on average, in 30 days (reduction of 150 days). Significant cost savings in processing for both SMEs and the Administration, reducing up to 82% the costs associated with grant application, processing, resolution, justification and payment.
Potential for learning or transfer
Potential elements to be transfer:
- The flow diagram of the tool, its structure and screen design and a very hands-on user’s manual.
- How the applicants can easily report the foreseen energy reduction, which is used by the Administration for the calculation of the grant.
- Applicants can access the web tool and pre-calculate the potential subsidy based on their project's investment and energy savings data.
- The flow diagram of the tool, its structure and screen design and a very hands-on user’s manual.
- How the applicants can easily report the foreseen energy reduction, which is used by the Administration for the calculation of the grant.
- Applicants can access the web tool and pre-calculate the potential subsidy based on their project's investment and energy savings data.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Regional Government of Castilla Y León
Spain
Castilla y León