The Government is putting in place a fund of €500k to support small businesses improve operational efficiencies and productivity. This additional funding will be made available to the Local Enterprise Offices to pilot a competitive fund to incentivize domestically focused small businesses examine their current operations to identify opportunities to address productivity gaps.
Enterprises employing less than 50 across all sectors, retail, tourism providers, childcare, freight etc. can apply for one of 200 productivity vouchers valued at €2,500. These vouchers can be used to engage qualified practitioners or undertake capability development to improve existing operations through:
- Adoption of lean practices and principles
- Identification of cost reduction initiatives
- Identification of Green practices
- Introduction of waste reducing plans
- Enhancing customer experience
- Enhancing performance management
The pilot scheme was launched at the SME and Entrepreneurship Strategy Conference by Deputy Pat Breen, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection on Friday July 12. The scheme will close for applications on November 22nd. For more information, please visit https://www.productivitychallenge.ie/