Invitalia’s internationalisation voucher scheme is aimed at micro and small enterprises (MSEs) looking to expand or consolidate their presence in foreign markets; specifically, applications are restricted to manufacturing MSEs (Ateco code C) with a registered office in Italy, including those organised as business networks.

The call for applications aims to fund costs incurred for consultancy services provided by Temporary Export Managers (TEMs) with digital expertise, who are temporarily integrated into the company and registered on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official list.

Services must be provided under a management consultancy contract with a duration of 12 months for MSEs and 24 months for business networks.

The TEM consultancy must be aimed at supporting internationalisation processes through various activities:

• analysis and research on foreign markets
• identification and acquisition of new clients
• assistance with internationalisation contracts
• increasing presence on e-commerce platforms
• integration of online marketing channels
• advanced management of logistics flows

The value of the 2021 internationalisation voucher – which is granted under the “de minimis” regime – is as follows:

• €20,000 for MSEs, based on a consultancy contract of at least €30,000 (excluding VAT);
• €40,000 for business networks: in this case, the consultancy contract must be worth at least €60,000 (excluding VAT).

An additional contribution of €10,000 may be added to these amounts upon achieving specific results in terms of foreign sales volumes. To access the voucher, companies must also attach the internationalisation project for which the contribution is requested to their application.

The financial allocation for the call is €50 million.

Companies may apply for the voucher via the online platform to be indicated by Invitalia. The procedure will be divided into two distinct phases:

1st phase: from 10:00 on 9 March to 17:00 on 22 March 2021 the window will be open for completing the application (including digital signature and system upload);

2nd phase: from 10:00 on 25 March to 17:00 on 15 April 2021, excluding public holidays and weekends, during which the application may be submitted by providing the application ID and the preparation code received in the previous phase. The time of arrival, as shown on the relevant receipt, will determine the chronological order for admission to the grants.

Following this, by 15 May the MAECI will grant the contributions based on the chronological order of receipt of applications, and only successful companies will be able to consult the list of TEMs, which will have been published by the Ministry in the meantime, to select their chosen consultant.

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