The aid program “International eTrade“is aimed at the international promotion of companies in digital channels (web, ecommerce, blogging, social networks, email, online advertising, affiliation).
Theobjective is to help you sell products or services in a new country, develop sales to countries where you already have a presence or export through digital channels, with a direct grant of €6,000. The call for ACCIÓ International eTrade Coupons will open on May 30, 2024.
Here we share with you some of the frequently asked questions about International eTrade coupons. Alternatively, you can contact us directly to book a free to book a free 15-minute consultation with Eric Onidi, an accredited consultant.
Frequently asked questions about the International eTrade Coupons 2024 call for applications
If my company has exported more than 25% of its turnover in the year prior to the application, can I apply for the International eTrade Coupon?
Yes, the International eTrade Coupon does not require an export maximum or minimum, unlike the Export Initiation Coupons, which require that the company exports no more than 25% of its turnover.
Can micro-enterprises or self-employed people apply for the International eTrade Coupon?
Yes. For the purposes of these bases, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined according to what is established in Annex 1 of Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 of the Commission, of June 17, 2014, in which microenterprises are included. Therefore, microenterprises can apply for this aid. The self-employed are considered small and medium-sized enterprises.
When can I consult the documentation to apply for the International eTrade Coupon (the technical report)?
All the documentation required to submit the application will be available when the call for applications opens. For any questions about the different sections of these documents, please contact the International Growth and eTrade team (internationaletrade@correu.accio.gencat.cat).
If my company’s website is only available in Spanish and/or Catalan, since my clients are located in Spanish-speaking countries such as Latin America, can I apply for the International eTrade Coupon?
Yes, it is a mandatory requirement. The company’s website must be, at least, in a foreign language.
I have a website abroad and I would like to bring it to Catalonia and Spain. Is it possible?
The beneficiary companies of the coupons must be companies with an operational establishment in Catalonia. On the other hand, the objective of the International eTrade Coupon is to promote the internationalization of Catalan companies through digital channels. If you wish to bring a foreign business to Catalonia, you should consult the services available for foreign investors in ACCIÓ’s foreign investment area: https://catalonia.com/invest-in-catalonia/.
Last year we received the Internationalization Cup (eTrade). Is there another line to carry out the actions resulting from the advice of the International eTrade Coupon? Would it be through another coupon?
Yes, during this year there will be a grant for the realization of International Promotion Activities to cover part of the international promotion expenses, which include digital actions as well as physical actions such as visits to trade fairs or other promotional events.
This year will it be possible to request the payment for the implementation of the International eTrade Coupon, that is, as a second part of the coupon? When does eTrade 2 open?
There is no link between the International eTrade Coupons and the line of Grants for projects to carry out international promotion activities. A company can apply for any of these grants without the need to apply for the other.
The line of subsidies for projects to carry out international promotion activities is not part of the competitiveness coupons (https://www.accio.gencat.cat/ca/serveis/internacionalitzacio/expansio-i-vendesinternacionals/international-etrade/#ajuts). The coupons are grants for the assessment of the applicant companies. The subsidy for the realization of international promotion activities covers part of the execution of international promotion expenses, both digital (web programming, marketing campaigns, hiring of digital communication agencies, presence in marketplaces, advertising in search engines or social networks, among others) and physical (participation in trade fairs or product homologation).
If last year you were a beneficiary of the aid for the realization of international promotion activities, can we enter this year within the International eTrade Cup?
Yes, the companies that were beneficiaries of the grant “for the realization of international promotion activities” in 2023 can apply for an International eTrade cup in 2024, since there is no link between the two grants.
Is it possible to claim International eTrade coupons if the supplier is not registered in the “International Digital Business” category?
No. Consultants must be accredited by ACCIÓ in the area of international digital business expertise on the date prior to the application.
This year is an extensive IPP document not required?
No. This call has simplified the documentation required for the application, merging the two documents of technical report and PPI. In the technical report you will find different sections to list this information.
If we were granted the eTrade 2022 coupon, can we claim the International eTrade 2024 coupon? Can the IPP refer to the same markets
described in 2022? Or would it be necessary to define new markets for the new coupon?
Yes, in the case of International eTrade Coupons, you have to leave one year between calls to be able to apply again for this grant. The markets may be the same or different depending on the needs of the applicant company. In the technical memorandum you will find different sections to list this information. It is not so much an international promotion plan, but a selection of target markets.
If I have created a new company for the export of my products and the last fiscal year is less than 100,000 € can I claim the aid?
No. The companies benefiting from the coupons must exceed this minimum turnover of €100,000 in the fiscal year 2023.
The company that can take advantage of this coupon must have a minimum of online sales both nationally and internationally in order to qualify?
No. The company must have a minimum turnover of 100.000 € globally, without distinction between online and offline channels.
If you still have doubts, book your free 15 minutes consultancy with Eric Onidi, ACCIÓ’s accredited advisor.