Funding program for the creation of new infant care departments
The program’s objective is the creation of new early childhood care centers or the addition of new places in existing care centers, aiming to create an additional 20,000 new places for infants and children from 2 months to 2.5 years old.
More specifically, the program concerns the financial support of public enterprises and public sector entities, municipalities, as well as private individuals for the creation of new nursery schools or new sections in existing ones for the period up to the first quarter of 2026.
Potential Beneficiaries
- Existing businesses that, before the date of electronic submission of the funding application, operate in the following Activities:
- 88.91 Activities of infant and child care centers. It is clarified that the following subcategories are not eligible:
- 88.91.1 Daycare services for children
- 88.91.11 Daycare services for children, except those concerning children with disabilities
- 88.91.12 Daycare services for children and youth with disabilities
- 88.91.13 Babysitting services for young children
- New businesses established after the program’s publication and before the submission of the funding application, with a primary activity of an eligible KAD code.
Basic Participation Requirements
- There must be a valid operating license in accordance with current legislation and the activity carried out, in the case of an existing structure.
- In the case of a new structure, a preliminary lease agreement for 3 years or a property ownership contract is required.
- Only one (1) and unique investment proposal can be submitted per Tax Identification Number (TIN) for the entire duration of the present call.
- The participant must have or commit by a solemn declaration that by the completion of the investment plan, provisions will be made for access for people with disabilities (PWD).
- There must be ownership, usage concession, lease, or lawful establishment of usufruct rights over the property for 3 years from the start date of application submission, along with a declaration from the property owner confirming knowledge and consent for the submission of the proposal by the prospective beneficiary.
- The building(s) included in the investment plan must legally exist.
- The participant must prove possession of at least 25% of the required private participation for the proposed investment plan, which in any case shall not constitute state aid.
- The business cannot be housed in the beneficiary’s residence.
Subsidy Rate
The aid intensity is 50% of the budget.
The public aid cannot exceed the amount of €300,000 (including VAT).
Eligible Expenses
Implementation Duration
The implementation of the investment plans by the Beneficiaries must be completed by 28/02/2026.
** It is emphasized that the new infant places at the Childcare Center must be maintained for at least three (3) years after the completion of the investment plan.
Application Period
The submission of applications is from 13/01/2025 at 12:00 p.m. until the available budget is exhausted.