SLIM partnerships 2023

• About SLIM
• Which partnerships is SLIM looking for?
• For which projects?
• How much SLIM subsidy can I apply?
• Deadline
• Conditions, points of attention and tips

About SLIM

SLIM subsidy can be applied for by SMEs, partnerships between at least two SMEs and large companies belonging to the agricultural, catering or recreational sector. An application round will start shortly for the partnership.

Which partnerships is SLIM looking for?

In order to scale up good initiatives around ‘lifelong development’, the SLIM scheme pays extra attention to partnerships. Under this arrangement, learning and development is not stimulated in one company, but in several companies at the same time. This can be in an entire region or sector. SLIM partnerships is specifically looking for (existing) consortia in SMEs and collaborations between SMEs with another organisation/institution. This organisation/institution can be a trade association, O&O fund, educational institution or an employers’ or employees’ association. In addition, partnerships with large companies are also possible. It is important that the cooperation is laid down in an agreement and that at least two SMEs must participate.

For which projects?

What is very important is that SLIM is not a “training subsidy”. This subsidy does not cover the costs of participation in courses, training or education. It does, in collaboration with other SMEs, of its own academy, learning portal or learning center. SLIM focuses specifically on the trajectory that you take as an SME to achieve structural training (or development). In SLIM, this trajectory is divided into three main categories on which a project can focus.

• The screening of a company resulting in a training or development plan that is aimed at providing insight into the training needs from the company’s perspective;
• Obtaining career or development advice for employees in the company or employees in other SMEs if there is a partnership;
• Supporting and guiding in the development or implementation of a method that stimulates employees in a company to develop knowledge, skills and professional attitude during work.

How much SLIM subsidy can I apply?

The SLIM subsidy for a SLIM partnership reimburses 60% of the project costs and can amount to a subsidy amount of €500,000 per project with a maximum of €200,000 per collaboration partner. The minimum subsidy that can be requested is € 125,000.

Deadline

SME partnerships and large companies (agriculture, hospitality or recreation sector) can apply for a SLIM subsidy from 1 June to 27 July 2023. The first come, first serve principle applies to this arrangement. This means that applications are assessed on an incoming basis until the budget is exhausted.

Conditions, points of attention and tips

Partnerships that want to apply for SLIM must take the following points into account:

• This subsidy is ideally suited for SME entrepreneurs in technology or ICT. On the one hand, because there is a great need for talented employees and technologies are becoming increasingly complex. On the other hand, because these sectors are extremely adept at jointly solving societal challenges;
• Costs and activities should be distributed somewhat evenly among the participants of the consortium. Each party must be actively involved in the implementation of at least one activity that can be found in the activity plan. The partners may not realize more than 80% of the total costs;
• The project activities should not last longer than 24 months. It must also start within three months after the subsidy has been awarded. Applicants must pre-finance the costs. The subsidy is paid out after the end of the year. However, it is possible to request an advance after 12 months;
• Start in good time with the formation of the partnership and the project orientation.

Want to make a success of your SLIM project? Hire an external advisor!

Enlist external help to implement a method through which employees can improve their skills, knowledge or professional attitude? We are in contact with advisors who can make a success of your SLIM project. An overview of our advisors can also be found in this overview.