Where should business seek money from the National Recovery Plan (NRP)?

This key question requires distinction between two perspectives – that of the Beneficiary and that of its Counterparty.

Beneficiary’s perspective – because it is the entity to which the money from the NRP funds goes directly. The money will then be allocated by the Beneficiary for the implementation of the intended projects. This is an important perspective for business, as it allows business to make investments to improve their operations in the market.

Counterparty’s perspective – because without its participation, the NRP funds cannot be absorbed. It is the Counterparty that de facto executes the project for which the Beneficiary has obtained funds. Indirectly, it is the final recipient of the NRP funds. Hence, it is crucial to facilitate Counterparty’s access to undertakings implemented with NRP funds. This is an important perspective for business representatives, because in this way the NRP funds will be effectively absorbed and will strengthen the local economy.

Beneficiary

To successfully obtain funding from the National Recovery Plan, it is essential to understand the basics about the program.

Referring to previous posts by Hoogels, entities interested in receiving EU funds should:

• define the intended project;
• analyze the NRP Document and the regulations for the Investment in terms of the intended project;
• verify that the Investment and the conditions (criteria) for its implementation correspond to the situation of the interested entity;
• submit an application to the Responsible Institution.

This procedure is being facilitated by Responsible Institutions, which publish announcements of calls for proposals for a specific Investment implemented under the NRP. Along with the announcement of calls for proposals, the Responsible Institution presents general information on the Investment and its detailed terms and conditions (e.g., subsidy regulations, application template, subsidy agreement template).

Announcements of calls for proposals are generally published on the websites dedicated to the NRP program and the websites of individual Responsible Institutions. Calls for proposals should be looked for primarily on the websites:

https://www.gov.pl/web/planodbudowy/nabory

https://www.funduszeeuropejskie.gov.pl/strony/o-funduszach/fundusze-na-lata-2021-2027/krajowy-plan-odbudowy/nabory-wnioskow/

https://www.cupt.gov.pl/konkursy/aktualnie-trwajace/

Counterparty

The activities of a Counterparty who wants to participate in projects subsidized by NRP funds should be focused on different goals. This is because Counterparty needs to determine which entities have obtained funding and successfully compete for a contract for the realization of the project.

Firstly – in terms of projects implemented by public finance sector units, information about projects will be revealed to the market through the channels known so far, i.e. through tendering platforms.

In addition, potential Counterparties can monitor reports from Responsible Institutions and media information about the conclusion of funding agreements. In this way, Counterparties will gain the time advantage of obtaining information about funding at an earlier stage of NRP process.

See, e.g.:

https://www.gov.pl/web/planodbudowy/najwieksi-beneficjenci-kpo

Secondly – in terms of projects implemented by private entities, the way to obtain information about the funds-flow from the NRP to specific entities is significantly hindered. Private entities (Beneficiaries) will conclude contracts with contractors/suppliers (Counterparties) for the realization of the project using the freedom of contracting.

It is worth considering, for example, submitting requests to Responsible Institutions for public information on Beneficiaries who have obtained funding.

It is also possible for Counterparties to take the initiative. Under this model, a Counterparty could encourage and support a potential Beneficiary to apply for funding. E.g., by concluding contracts executed under the condition of obtaining NPO funding. Such contracts, however, should provide for securing the interests of both parties.

From the perspective of a potential Counterparty – regardless of the category of Beneficiaries (public or private entities) – it will also be prudent to familiarize themselves with the Investments envisaged in the NRP, as well as the amount of funds allocated for their implementation. This is the way business representatives to develop a business plan that takes into account the impact of NRP on the market conditions in which they operate.