Founding Bonus in the Lower Saxony Master Crafts Trades
Funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the master crafts sector in Lower Saxony to create permanent, full-time jobs subject to social security contributions. One-time grant of €10,000.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The program supports SMEs in the Lower Saxony master crafts sector in founding, business succession, or active participation, with the aim of creating permanent, full-time jobs subject to social security contributions, thereby sustainably securing the economic foundation of the enterprises and strengthening their market position.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses for newly hired full-time employees subject to social security contributions
Non-eligible expenses
- Personnel who have already been employed in the company in the last 12 months
- Marginal employment relationships
- Employment contracts prior to approval
- Employment of transferring sole proprietors
- Personnel for whom integration subsidies from the Federal Employment Agency are used
Eligible to apply
- Founders
Funding requirements
- SMEs in the craft sector according to the Crafts Code
- Founding, takeover, or active participation within the last 3.5 years
- Business premises and workplaces must be located in Lower Saxony
- Proof of registration in the crafts register and master craftsman certificate
- Permanent full-time employment (at least 35 hours/week)
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Documents required for application
- SME certificate from a tax advisor/auditor
- Proof of registration in the craft register or directory
- Copy of master craftsman certificate
- Business registration
- Excerpt from the commercial register
- List of shareholders or partnership agreement
- De minimis declaration with certificate
- Declaration on electronic record keeping
- Declaration of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Description
The Founding Grant for Master Craftsmen in Lower Saxony is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the crafts sector based in Lower Saxony, which have been founded, taken over, or have acquired at least a 25% stake in the business within the last 3.5 years. The objective is the sustainable strengthening of the economic base and market position of these businesses by creating permanent, full-time jobs subject to social security contributions (at least 35 hours/week). Only personnel expenses for new employees who have not been employed by the company in the last 12 months are eligible for funding. The grant is provided as a non-repayable one-time subsidy amounting to €10,000 per business. Applicant SMEs must submit their registration in the crafts roll, the master craftsman’s certificate, the business registration, and proof of the business premises in Lower Saxony.
The project must not exceed a maximum duration of 18 months; the application must be submitted at any time before the start of the project. The following documents are required for the application: SME certification by a tax advisor or auditor, copies of the business registration, commercial register excerpt, list/contract of shareholders, De-minimis declaration with certification, as well as declarations on electronic record-keeping and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. A consulting service by the Investment and Development Bank of Lower Saxony (NBank) is recommended to prepare the proof of use based on the expenditure reimbursement principle. The program is co-financed by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Construction and Digitalization and implemented by NBank. The grant aims to create new full-time positions that contribute to the long-term stabilization and expansion of the regional crafts sector.
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