11 | Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme
3.2 Stream 2 – Article 27 GBER – Aid for Innovation Clusters Article 27 GBER provides for investment and/or operating aid for innovation clusters as summarised: ώ Aid for innovation clusters shall be compatible with the internal market within the meaning of Article 107(3) of the Treaty and shall be exempted from the notification requirement of Article 108(3) of the Treaty, provided that the conditions laid down in this Article and in Chapter I of the GBER are fulfilled. ώ Operating aid can be granted to the operator of the innovation cluster (DAC or CLG). The operator, when different from the owner, can either have a legal personality or be a consortium of undertakings without a separate legal personality. Where the operator is not also the owner, separate accounting for the costs and revenues of ownership, operation and use of the cluster is required. ώ Access to the cluster’s premises, facilities and activities shall be open to several users and be granted on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis. ώ Fees charged for the use of the cluster and participating in cluster activities shall correspond to the market price or reflect costs including a reasonable margin. ώ Operating aid may be granted for the operation of innovation clusters. It shall not exceed 10 years. ώ The eligible costs of operating aid for innovation clusters shall be the personnel and administrative costs (including overhead costs) relating to: » animation of the cluster to facilitate collaboration, information sharing and the provision or channelling of specialised and customised business support services » marketing of the cluster to increase participation of new undertakings or organisations and to increase visibility » management of the cluster’s facilities; organisation of training programmes, workshops and conferences to support knowledge sharing and networking and transnational cooperation. ώ The aid intensity of operating aid shall not exceed 50 % of the total eligible costs during the period over which the aid is granted.
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