Rychla Rada (Quick Advice)
Published on 15 November 2021
Czech Republic
Moravskoslezsko
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About this good practice
During the Corona crisis and lockdowns of the Czech Republic, many of the SMEs experienced huge trouble to deliver their commitments, payments etc. Therefore, the government of the Czech Republic came up with COVID related fundings and supports for the companies affected by the restrictions coming from the government.
Nevertheless, there were so many programmes, fundings and support possibilities that it was hard to orientate in those supports. Another problem was that some of them was possible to combine some of them was not. To help SMEs understand and draw the right funding and help The Moravian Silesian region came up with the project Rychla Rada (www.rychla-rada.cz), where regional authorities and stakeholders cooperated together to inform the SMEs about the funding and programmes created by the government.
Regional institutions were also used for promotion of the service among the SMEs. On the website there was a form which was filled by the SME and regional office shared the request or question to the right institution, which was able to answer it. During the time there were answered over 200 requests and SMS rated the service very positively.
Nevertheless, there were so many programmes, fundings and support possibilities that it was hard to orientate in those supports. Another problem was that some of them was possible to combine some of them was not. To help SMEs understand and draw the right funding and help The Moravian Silesian region came up with the project Rychla Rada (www.rychla-rada.cz), where regional authorities and stakeholders cooperated together to inform the SMEs about the funding and programmes created by the government.
Regional institutions were also used for promotion of the service among the SMEs. On the website there was a form which was filled by the SME and regional office shared the request or question to the right institution, which was able to answer it. During the time there were answered over 200 requests and SMS rated the service very positively.
Expert opinion
The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted normal business operations and SMEs who rely on in-person engagement such as in the hospitality industry, tourism, travel, and brick and mortar shops were hit particularly hard. In response, unprecedented measures such as funding to cover payroll, tax benefits, and the like, have been utilised to keep these industries afloat. However, not all SMEs are aware of what support is available and the information provided may include complex legal jargon which can be confusing to the average person. Thus, up to date information with expert consultative services to explain solutions to SMEs is vital in these uncertain times. The Rychla Rada programme is a good example of providing covid-specific information such as legal advice, tax breaks, postponing loan and mortgage repayments, employment support, and matching SMEs with the right funding or grant support. Further, receiving timely support in the form of payroll relief or postponing loan or mortgage payments, could be the difference between a company surviving or failing. This is especially important because some support measures have a deadline or a limited amount of funding, and if an SME is not aware of these crucial deadlines, they may not be able to take advantage of these company saving benefits. With Covid still creating uncertainty, such programmes are highly relevant, and could be promoted in regions around Europe.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
In addition to human resources provided by partnering organisations there were used regional funds for setting up the web page: https://rychla-rada.cz/ and promotion of the services among the companies in the region. The costs in the COVID support programmes were funded by partnering organisations.
Evidence of success
There were answered over 200 requests and questions regarding the state support for COVID. Several SMEs were helped with submitting a support request.
Potential for learning or transfer
Service such as Rychla-Rada has a huge potential for transfering into other countries because national COVID support programmes were introduced in many countries all over the world and in a such a huge number of programmes it must be difficult to orientate. SMEs are a spine of every economy and helping them to easily get the fundings and help during COVID is a key factor to keep the economy going. Service as Rychla-Rada could have been provided by every region to the local SMEs for their suppport.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Chamber of Commerce
Czech Republic
Moravskoslezsko
Contact
professor