Servicestøtte

Servicestøtte ("service support") is a grant scheme administered by KOMPETANSESENTER FOR DISTRIKTSUTVIKLING (Distriktssenteret / KDU) as part of the MERKUR programme. The scheme is aimed at local rural shops ("nærbutikkar") that participate in the programme: the page states "Nærbutikkar som deltek i Merkur-programmet kan søkje om servicestøtte." (Local shops that take part in the Merkur programme can apply for service support.)

Funding amount. The page states the maximum award: "Maksimalt støttebeløp er 150 000 kroner pr. år, eksklusiv meirverdiavgift." (The maximum support amount is 150,000 kroner per year, excluding value-added tax.)

Payment structure. Disbursement is split into two parts: "75 % av støttebeløpet blir betalt ut ved tilsagn. 25 % blir betalt ut etter sluttrapportering." (75% of the support amount is paid out on award/commitment. 25% is paid out after final reporting.)

Application process and timing. Applications are submitted through the Regionalforvaltning portal. The page states the form is published each spring: "Søknadsskjema for servicestøtte lagt ut i Regionalforvaltning 1. mai." (The application form for service support is posted in Regionalforvaltning on 1 May.) There is no fixed application deadline: "Det er ikkje søknadsfrist for denne støtteordninga." (There is no application deadline for this support scheme.) Processing time is stated as: "Det tek vanlegvis 6-8 veker å behandle søknaden din." (It usually takes 6–8 weeks to process your application.)

Eligibility. The page sets out requirements including: a minimum distance of 20 km to the nearest alternative grocery shopping, or no permanent road access, or being the sole grocer on an island; an annual turnover under 5 million NOK (excluding VAT, fuel, animal feed and fertiliser); being open year-round with a minimum of three weekdays per week in the low season; and offering at least three additional services beyond grocery sales (such as post, bank, café, fuel).

Coverage. The support is directed at development and operational costs for maintaining small shops as local service centres, including minor investments that support the scheme's objectives.

Contact. The page lists: "post@kdu.no | 481 68 280 | Skolegata 22, 7713 Steinkjer".