SEECO GRANT Program Application Procedures

What is the difference between SEECO Project 'Incubation Program' and 'Acceleration Program'?

Incubation Grant Program; It targets beneficiaries who do not yet have a business/company and who will establish a new business. It provides training, grants and mentoring support for women and young people with business ideas to start a business. Acceleration Grant Program; It includes training, grants and mentoring support for the growth of existing businesses that have been generating income for at least 12 months as of 07 March 2024.

Are there any sector restrictions for project applications?

There is no sector limitation. (Applications can be made from sectors other than the areas specified in the 4.4. Ineligible Activities section of the application guide).

Are there any limitations on business ideas to be accepted?

The design and implementation of the business idea must include a social benefit. During the evaluation process, the feasibility of the business idea, the competencies of the entrepreneur candidate and/or his/her team, value proposition, sustainability proposal, etc. will be evaluated. (Applications can be made from sectors other than the areas specified in the 4.4. Ineligible Activities section of the application guide).

Who will be the responsible person for the applications to be made on behalf of the cooperative?

The Chairman of the Board of Directors will be responsible.

I have a business idea and I want to implement it, how much grant can I get?

After applying to the incubation program and attending the trainings, you need to prepare your business and procurement plan under the guidance of our experts. You can receive grants between 3.000 and 10.000 Euros in line with your activities.

Can I submit more than one application?

More than one application cannot be submitted.

I have a business and I want to develop it, how much grant can I get?

After applying to the acceleration program and attending the trainings, you need to prepare your business and procurement plan under the guidance of our experts. You can receive grants between 3.000 and 25.000 Euros in line with your activities.

The program states that women entrepreneurship is a priority, can men also apply to the program?

Women of all ages can apply for the SEECO grant program. It is planned to award 70% of the grants to women entrepreneurs and business owners. 30% of the grants are planned to be awarded to young people aged 18-29. However, a limited number of male entrepreneurs and male-owned businesses that benefit women (e.g. women's employment) will be supported.

Can you make an exception for Male Incubation and Acceleration candidates who exceed the age criteria?

It will also be possible to consider applications from a limited number of men who have a business idea that benefits women (e.g. women's employment). Likewise, it will also be possible to consider applications from small businesses/cooperatives/NGOs (NGOs with an economic entity) that are owned or partnered by men and benefit women (e.g. women's employment).

Would an enterprise operating in partnership with a woman entrepreneur and a man aged +29 be considered an eligible applicant for the accelerator program? Or will it be considered if it is an "enterprise that aims to benefit women"?

Businesses with the following qualifications as specified in section 4.1. Eligibility of Applicants in the grant application guide are eligible applicants: Established by women and young people aged 18-29 from host and guest communities who have completed the SEECO Project training and coaching process; * Small businesses/cooperatives/NGOs (NGOs with an economic entity) that have been generating income for at least 12 months up to the date of the announcement of the program, have a legal record of activity, and can submit a tax return -Small businesses/cooperatives/NGOs with a male owner or partner that benefit women (e.g. women's employment) (CSOs with an economic enterprise)

We would like to apply to your grant program on behalf of our business. We have a total of 40 female employees in our two companies. The partners of our company are men and their ages are 50 and 56. Can we apply for your grant program?

"Small businesses/cooperatives/NGOs (NGOs with an economic enterprise) whose owner or partner is male and which benefit women (e.g. women's employment)" as stated in section 4.1. Eligibility of Applicants in the grant application guidelines are eligible applicants.

I opened my business less than a year ago, can I apply for an accelerator program?

No, if you are applying to the accelerator program to grow your existing company, your company must have been in operation for at least 12 months and generated revenue during that time.

How will the process work after applying to the program?

If you are accepted to the training program, you will be required to attend a 3-day training. Then you will prepare and present a business plan and procurement plan with coaching support. As a result of the evaluation, a contract will be signed between those who are entitled to receive grants and Çukurova Development Agency. The project implementation process will continue with the mentoring program to be implemented in line with the needs of your initiative.

Will everyone who participates in the training receive a grant?

No, in order to be eligible for the grant, 70% of the trainings must be attended. Candidates who meet this requirement will prepare and submit their business plan and procurement plans at the end of the training. These files will be evaluated by the beneficiary selection committee and the selected participants will be eligible for the grant.

I want to apply for the accelerator program, but since I am very busy, can someone else attend the training on my behalf?

It is possible for the business owner/partner or authorized manager of your company applying for the acceleration program, preferably with a signature circular, to participate in the trainings.

Where and how do I send my business plan?

The "Business Plan" package to be prepared after the training and coaching support will be uploaded to the system electronically via https://www.seecocukurova.com website. Applicants who are entitled to receive a grant may request the originals of the files uploaded to the system by Çukurova Development Agency as an annex to the grant agreement.

Is the grant repayable?

The financial support to be provided under the SEECO Project is in the form of a grant, not a loan, and is non-refundable. During the project implementation period and after the grant payment, each entrepreneur and / or entrepreneur candidate must actively use the materials, machinery, equipment, etc. purchased within the scope of the project; keep the project documents and keep them ready for the controls to be made by the Agency. In this process, if it is determined that the grant is used inappropriately for the stated purposes, Çukurova Development Agency reserves the right to withdraw the grant.

Will applicants also have to contribute financially?

Co-financing is not requested. VAT should be covered by the applicant as it is not included in eligible costs.

Can I use my own budget as co-financing if there is a purchase over the grant amount?

It is possible that the total budget amount in the procurement plan to be submitted with the business plan may exceed the grant upper limits (10.000-25.000 Euro). The budget amount exceeding the grant amount must be covered from the applicant's personal resources. For example; let's assume that the amount requested by the applicant in the business plan is a machine worth 30.000 Euros, the grant amount that the applicant can receive will not exceed the upper limits. The difference between the requested budget amount and the grant amount is expected to be covered by the applicant as co-financing.

Can an application be made for a workplace that is already receiving support from another project/organization (e.g. KOSGEB)?

Yes, it is possible for the same workplace to receive support from different programs or organizations. A business can receive different types of support through different programs or organizations. For example, a business can benefit from one support program from an organization such as KOSGEB, while at the same time receiving support from another organization or program. However, these supports should generally not cover the same costs or expenditures of the same project. That is, it is not possible for the same good or service to be financed by two different programs or organizations at the same time.

I am active in the livestock sector, can I apply to the SEECO project and benefit from financial support?

Within the scope of the SEECO project, support for the purchase of livestock or plant seeds, fertilizers, etc. cannot be provided, but support can be provided for the purchase of machinery-equipment necessary for meat-dairy processing or the processing and sale of agricultural products.

What are the cost items you support?

As specified in section 4.2 Eligible Direct Costs of the Guidelines; - Costs of purchasing new equipment and machinery/equipment provided that they are affordable at market prices and necessary for the implementation of the project, - Consumables/raw material costs, provided that they do not exceed 5% of the total budget accepted in the project, - Costs arising from small-scale renovations required within the scope of the project (not exceeding 30% of the total budget accepted under the grant) - Costs of procurement of services (design, marketing, training, membership, etc.) within the scope of the project and in line with the work to be realized - It is recommended not to exceed 25% during implementation. - Establishment costs are eligible costs within the scope of the project.

What are the cost items you do not support?

As specified in section 4.5 Ineligible Costs of the Guide; - Special needs and uses of the grant beneficiary outside the scope of the project - Preparations and practices before project implementation - Items funded under different programs/projects - Payables and interest - Value Added Tax (VAT) - Purchase of land or buildings other than small workshops or workshops - Second hand equipment - Employment expenses and staff salaries (all kinds of personnel expenses) - Purchase of automobiles, motorcycles, minibuses, buses, vans, pickup trucks, off-road vehicles, panel vans, trucks, except for the purchase of electric vehicles and spare parts expenses - Office Rent and related general expenses (electricity, water, internet, natural gas, etc.) - Other rental costs - Prices for the purchase of live animals - Expenditures that are not supported by the necessary documents related to the purchase, - Items already financed from another source, - Expenditures incurred outside the procurement period are not eligible costs.

Can I buy raw materials for production with the grant?

Consumables/raw material costs are eligible costs, provided that they do not exceed 5% of the total budget accepted in the project.

Can a business that has been operating for more than one year but is not registered apply for acceleration support?

Businesses applying for the Accelerator Program must have been legally registered for at least one year as of March 7, 2024.

For a person who had an existing business in the past but it closed down, does it have to have been a certain period of time since the business closed down in order to apply for the SEECO Project?

No.

Can a person open a business in his/her own name and employ his/her spouse?

The real person applying to the Incubation Program is expected to prepare a business plan and establish their own business. After the business is established, he/she can employ his/her spouse.

Can those who migrated due to the earthquake but whose residence is still in the provinces in the earthquake zone apply from a province other than their residence? Is it acceptable to change the place of residence to Adana or Mersin after the application?

Grant applicants must reside in Adana and Mersin as of the date of business plan submission.

Will a work permit be required for members of the Guest Community under Temporary Protection who want to benefit from incubation grants?

Visiting community members residing in Adana and Mersin who meet the legal requirements are eligible applicants.

Is the application of foreign women/young foreigners who have obtained a long-term residence permit for reasons such as acquiring property or starting a business and who want to expand their business an eligible application?

Appropriate

Will the documents required for some business lines (certificate of mastery, etc.) be requested during the grant application? If so, will the project provide technical support in obtaining them?

The documents required for the activities undertaken under the business plan must be submitted until the contract is signed.

Application Type

Frequently Asked Questions About Incubation and Acceleration Application