Funding to support a further 1,000 small/micro businesses along with training to a further 2,000 to develop their online capabilities in 2019 under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS), has been announced.
The scheme supports small/micro businesses in developing their ecommerce capabilities through the provision of training, advice and grant assistance of up to €2,500 (subject to match funding).
Since launching in 2014, over 5,000 businesses have been granted funding and 12,000 supported with training through the scheme.
In 2019, the government will support over 1,000 businesses with funding and over 2,000 businesses with training as part of the Scheme.
Launching the funding announcement, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. said: “There is a digital revolution taking place which is transforming how businesses are interacting with their customers. We must support small businesses in keeping pace with this rapidly changing environment.
“Irish consumers spent approximately €7.8bn online in 2018, with this figure expected to exceed €10bn by 2020. It is of critical importance that small Irish businesses are well positioned to take a share of this market.
“The Trading Online Voucher Scheme provides much needed support in this regard and I am delighted that at least 3,000 small businesses will avail of it in 2019”.
GEOBLOCKING
Online sales of products across Europe are growing by 22% per year.
MEP Clune said: “At the European Parliament recently we met to take stock of the progress made in breaking down the barriers to e-commerce in the EU and discuss next opportunities and challenges. As of 3rd December, Europeans have been able to shop online without unjustified geoblocking wherever they are in the EU. Citizens will be able to compare parcel delivery costs more easily and benefit from more affordable prices for cross-border parcel delivery.”
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland via their national Local Enterprise Office network.
Application to the scheme is through the Local Enterprise Office (and www.localenterprise.ie) urther information is available now on the Department’s website (www.dccae.gov.ie/tradingonlinevoucher) and from every Local Enterprise Office.
