According to the latest update of the call schedule under the “COMPETITIVENESS” Program of the NSRF 2021–2027, as well as the related pre-publication, the official call for the action “Extroversion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises” is expected to be issued within the second quarter of the year. The action targets existing enterprises across the entire Greek territory.
Purpose of the Action
The purpose is to encourage investment projects aimed at leveraging and developing modern technologies, upgrading produced products and/or provided services, and enhancing overall business activities with a view to improving competitiveness and extroversion. The goal is the integration of enterprises into international value chains and the strengthening of the global presence of their products, including through participation in trade fairs organized outside of Greece, in the EU and third countries.
Budget and Funding
The total budget amounts to 200.000.000€, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Hellenic Republic.
Eligible Beneficiaries
Potential beneficiaries are existing very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises operating in the Manufacturing sector and related services. Eligible entities must meet the criteria defined in the Detailed Call for Proposals, which will also determine the corresponding Activity Code Numbers (KAD/NACE).
Investment Plan Budget
According to the pre-publication, the minimum budget of each investment plan is €80,000. In case the investment exceeds the upper funding limit, the excess amount will be considered private participation and will not be subsidized, although the total investment plan (including the excess amount) will be subject to evaluation and monitoring.
The maximum grant amount may not exceed the enterprise’s turnover for the last three fiscal years, with an upper limit of 200.000€.
Implementation Duration
The maximum implementation duration of the investment plans is 24 months from the date of the Inclusion Decision.
Eligibility Criteria
The main eligibility requirements for potential beneficiary enterprises are:
- Investments must be made in only one region.
- They must have at least two completed fiscal years.
- They must be substantially active in an eligible KAD before the submission of the funding application.
- They must have an export activity of at least 2% of turnover or intend to develop exports during the project’s implementation period.
- They must employ at least one Annual Work Unit (AWU) of salaried personnel during the previous year.
- Must not have commenced operations for the investment plan before the submission of the funding application.
- Operate exclusively as corporate/commercial enterprises.
- They must comply with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 (OJ EL L12.2023) of 13th December 2023 (De Minimis), on which this Action is based.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs under this action include:
- Payroll costs for newly hired personnel
- Expenditures for production and mechanical equipment
- Costs for environmental protection equipment
- Service provision costs, e.g., consulting services, product/process development studies, service certifications, etc.
- Software procurement expenses
- Marketing, promotion, and networking costs
Support rates
The support rate is defined as follows:
| INTENSITY OF AID BASED ON EU REGULATION 2023/2831 (DE MINIMIS) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regions | (1) Public Funding for Small, Very Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises | (2) Private Participation (%) of column (1) | (3) Additional Public Funding (20%) of column (1) (with at least 20% increase in exports) | (4) Private Participation (%) of column (3) |
| For all regions of the country | 40% | 60% | 60% | 40% |
The grant percentage may increase by up to 20% upon the inclusion of the investment plan in the action. This will be awarded at each certification stage of the physical and financial scope, based on the export target committed to by the enterprise.
Specifically, for enterprises with existing export activity:
- Increase of 2–4%: +5%
- Increase of 4–6%: +10%
- Increase of 6–8%: +15%
- Increase >8%: +20%
For enterprises without export activity:
- Increase of 0–3%: +5%
- Increase of 3–5%: +10%
- Increase of 5–7%: +15%
- Increase >7%: +20%
Submission of Funding Applications
Funding applications will be submitted exclusively online through the Integrated Information System for State Aid Management (OPSKE), without the need for a physical file of supporting documents. The evaluation process will be comparative.
This Action presents a significant opportunity for Greek businesses to enhance their competitiveness, upgrade their products and services, and enter international markets. Through this funding, businesses can achieve strategic growth, aiming to increase their international presence and strengthen their export orientation.
The Detailed Call will provide further information regarding the deadlines and method of submission, required documentation, beneficiary obligations, and all other implementation terms.
Read more
New Action “Extroversion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”
Stavros Nikas
Economist
ΙΩΝΙΚΗ Finance
According to the latest update of the call schedule under the “COMPETITIVENESS” Program of the NSRF 2021–2027, as well as the related pre-publication, the official call for the action “Extroversion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises” is expected to be issued within the second quarter of the year. The action targets existing enterprises across the entire Greek territory.
Purpose of the Action
The purpose is to encourage investment projects aimed at leveraging and developing modern technologies, upgrading produced products and/or provided services, and enhancing overall business activities with a view to improving competitiveness and extroversion. The goal is the integration of enterprises into international value chains and the strengthening of the global presence of their products, including through participation in trade fairs organized outside of Greece, in the EU and third countries.
Budget and Funding
The total budget amounts to 200.000.000€, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Hellenic Republic.
Eligible Beneficiaries
Potential beneficiaries are existing very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises operating in the Manufacturing sector and related services. Eligible entities must meet the criteria defined in the Detailed Call for Proposals, which will also determine the corresponding Activity Code Numbers (KAD/NACE).
Investment Plan Budget
According to the pre-publication, the minimum budget of each investment plan is €80,000. In case the investment exceeds the upper funding limit, the excess amount will be considered private participation and will not be subsidized, although the total investment plan (including the excess amount) will be subject to evaluation and monitoring.
The maximum grant amount may not exceed the enterprise’s turnover for the last three fiscal years, with an upper limit of 200.000€.
Implementation Duration
The maximum implementation duration of the investment plans is 24 months from the date of the Inclusion Decision.
Eligibility Criteria
The main eligibility requirements for potential beneficiary enterprises are:
- Investments must be made in only one region.
- They must have at least two completed fiscal years.
- They must be substantially active in an eligible KAD before the submission of the funding application.
- They must have an export activity of at least 2% of turnover or intend to develop exports during the project’s implementation period.
- They must employ at least one Annual Work Unit (AWU) of salaried personnel during the previous year.
- Must not have commenced operations for the investment plan before the submission of the funding application.
- Operate exclusively as corporate/commercial enterprises.
- They must comply with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 (OJ EL L12.2023) of 13th December 2023 (De Minimis), on which this Action is based.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs under this action include:
- Payroll costs for newly hired personnel
- Expenditures for production and mechanical equipment
- Costs for environmental protection equipment
- Service provision costs, e.g., consulting services, product/process development studies, service certifications, etc.
- Software procurement expenses
- Marketing, promotion, and networking costs
Support rates
The support rate is defined as follows:
| INTENSITY OF AID BASED ON EU REGULATION 2023/2831 (DE MINIMIS) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regions | (1) Public Funding for Small, Very Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises | (2) Private Participation (%) of column (1) | (3) Additional Public Funding (20%) of column (1) (with at least 20% increase in exports) | (4) Private Participation (%) of column (3) |
| For all regions of the country | 40% | 60% | 60% | 40% |
The grant percentage may increase by up to 20% upon the inclusion of the investment plan in the action. This will be awarded at each certification stage of the physical and financial scope, based on the export target committed to by the enterprise.
Specifically, for enterprises with existing export activity:
- Increase of 2–4%: +5%
- Increase of 4–6%: +10%
- Increase of 6–8%: +15%
- Increase >8%: +20%
For enterprises without export activity:
- Increase of 0–3%: +5%
- Increase of 3–5%: +10%
- Increase of 5–7%: +15%
- Increase >7%: +20%
Submission of Funding Applications
Funding applications will be submitted exclusively online through the Integrated Information System for State Aid Management (OPSKE), without the need for a physical file of supporting documents. The evaluation process will be comparative.
This Action presents a significant opportunity for Greek businesses to enhance their competitiveness, upgrade their products and services, and enter international markets. Through this funding, businesses can achieve strategic growth, aiming to increase their international presence and strengthen their export orientation.
The Detailed Call will provide further information regarding the deadlines and method of submission, required documentation, beneficiary obligations, and all other implementation terms.
Read more
