Trading Online Voucher Scheme – up to €2,500 grant available
Grow your business online with help through the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you.
It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 50% from the business along with training and advice to help your business trade online. Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity by up to 50% can make this investment very affordable for many small businesses out there.
Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office in the delivery of this scheme puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business. The training sessions cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business.
Businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.
Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers. The voucher can also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online.
The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:
- Limited or no e-commerce presence;
- 10 or less employees;
- Turnover less than €2m;
- Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 Months**;
- Business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom they make their application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.
Previous voucher recipients may apply for a second voucher. Previous voucher recipients cannot apply for a second voucher before they have submitted their final claim for their first voucher.
**applicant business must provide clear proof of trading for a minimum of 6 months to their Local Enterprise Office
Eligibility Criteria
- Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (net of VAT)
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
- 'Own Labour' is not an eligible expense
- Only 'third-party' costs will be considered
- All 'third party'/supplier Invoices must contain comprehensive business details, incl. Tax & Business registration information
Eligible Projects
- Small businesses based in Co. Monaghan who have a limited online trading presence
- Small businesses who employ less than 10 people
- Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than €2m
- Small businesses must be registered and trading for at least 6 months
Ineligible Projects
- Companies with charitable status
- Commercial semi-state companies
- 'Not for profit' organisations
- Trade associations
- Business / company representation bodies, e.g., Chambers of Commerce
- Professional service businesses, specialising in I.T.-related activities, who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems
- Conferences & Seminars
- Projects contrary to Public Policy
- Projects which are already eligible for assistance from other State Agencies / EU funded Operational Programmes which may result in duplication of support
- Projects with in excess of 10 employees
- Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding without the requirement of assistance from the Online Trading Vouchers Scheme
- Projects essentially deemed to be comprising importation and/or distribution
- Please note that businesses classified under certain NACE codes have been deemed ineligible for the scheme. A full list of these businesses is available below.
What the Vouchers can be used for
- IT consultation
- Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
- Implementation of online payments or booking systems
- Purchase of internet-related software
- Purchase of online advertising ( this purchase cannot make up more than 30% of approved Voucher costs & can only be drawn down in one payment phase )
- Developing an app or multi-platform webpages
- Implementing a digital marketing strategy, i.e., Social Media Marketing
- Consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy
- Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity
What the Vouchers cannot be used for
- Development of brochure websites
- Purchase of non-internet related software
- Anything other than online trading related activity
Trading Online Workshops
In order to submit an online application you must first attend a 'Trading Online Workshop'.
Trading Online Workshops are available in the North East Region every month and Monaghan based businesses are eligible to attend workshops hosted by other Local Enterprise Offices. Your application will not be reviewed until you have attended training, so please book yourself on the first available course to be reviewed as soon as possible.
To check available ‘Trading Online Workshops’ with Monaghan LEO please click here
To check available 'Trading Online Workshop' from Louth LEO, please click here
To check available ‘Trading Online Workshops’ with Cavan LEO please click here
It may possible to attend a webinar or training session hosted by another region. Nationwide courses can be viewed here
How to apply
Trading Online Voucher Application Form must be completed online.
You will be asked to complete the online application form and upload copies for the 3 quotes you have received for the proposed work on your website. If you have any questions, please email ssherry2@monaghancoco.ie
Ineligible Businesses as Defined by NACE Code
Description of NACE Code Categories under which some sub-categories are excluded from TOVs | NACE Code Reference for the sub-categories | Detailed Descriptions of the Excluded Businesses ineligible for a TOV |
|---|
Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products | C(26.1 – 26.4) | 2611 Manufacture of electronic components2612 Manufacture of loaded electronic boards2620 Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment2630 Manufacture of communication equipment2640 Manufacture of consumer electronics |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | G(46.5.0 – 46.5.2, 47.4.0 - 47.4.3, 47.9.0 – 47.9.9) | 4651 Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software4652 Wholesale of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts4741 Retail sale of computers, peripheral units and software in specialised stores4742 Retail sale of telecommunications equipment in specialised stores4743 Retail sale of audio and video equipment in specialised stores4791 Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet4799 Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets |
Air Transport | H(51) | 5110 Passenger air transport5121 Freight air transport5122 Space transport |
Information and communications | J(58 – 63) | 5811 Book publishing5812 Publishing of directories and mailing lists5813 Publishing of newspapers5814 Publishing of journals and periodicals5819 Other publishing activities5821 Publishing of computer games5829 Other software publishing5911 Motion picture, video and television programme production activities5912 Motion picture, video and television programme post-production activities5913 Motion picture, video and television programme distribution activities5914 Motion picture projection activities5920 Sound recording and music publishing activities6010 Radio broadcasting6020 Television programming and broadcasting activities6110 Wired telecommunications activities6120 Wireless telecommunications activities6130 Satellite telecommunications activities6190 Other telecommunications activities6201 Computer programming activities6202 Computer consultancy activities6203 Computer facilities management activities6209 Other information technology and computer service activities6311 Data processing, hosting and related activities6312 Web portals6391 News agency activities6399 Other information service activities n.e.c. |
Financial and insurance activities | K(64 -66) | 6411 Central banking6419 Other monetary intermediation6420 Activities of holding companies6430 Trusts, funds and similar financial entities6491 Financial leasing6492 Other credit granting6499 Other financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding n.e.c.6511 Life insurance6512 Non-life insurance6520 Reinsurance6530 Pension funding6611 Administration of financial markets6612 Security and commodity contracts brokerage6619 Other activities auxiliary to financial services, except insurance and pension funding6621 Risk and damage evaluation6622 Activities of insurance agents and brokers6629 Other activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding6630 Fund management activities |
Real estate activities | L(68) | 6810 Buying and selling of own real estate6820 Renting and operating of own or leased real estate6831 Real estate agencies6832 Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis |
Professional, scientific and technical activities | M(73) | 7311 Advertising agencies7312 Media representation7320 Market research and public opinion polling |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | O(84) | 8411 General public administration activities8412 Regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security8413 Regulation of and contribution to more efficient operation of businesses8421 Foreign affairs8422 Defence activities8423 Justice and judicial activities8424 Public order and safety activities8425 Fire service activities8430 Compulsory social security activities |
Education | P(85) | 8510 Pre-primary education8520 Primary education8531 General secondary education8532 Technical and vocational secondary education8541 Post-secondary non-tertiary education8542 Tertiary education8551 Sports and recreation education8552 Cultural education8553 Driving school activities8559 Other education n.e.c.8560 Educational support activities |
Arts, Entertainment and recreation | R(91 – 92, 93.2.0 – 93.2.9) | 9101 Library and archives activities9102 Museums activities9103 Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions9104 Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activities9200 Gambling and betting activities9321 Activities of amusement parks and theme parks9329 Other amusement and recreation activities |
Other activities | S(94) | 9411 Activities of business and employers membership organisations9412 Activities of professional membership organisations9420 Activities of trade unions9491 Activities of religious organisations9492 Activities of political organisations9499 Activities of other membership organisations n.e.c. |
