The NSFR Competitiveness Program for 2021-2027 announced the preliminary publication of a package of state assistance measures “Digital Transformation of SMEs”. Actions with a total budget of 300,000,000 euros are aimed at closing the backlog of Greek enterprises in the implementation and integration of modern digital technologies in their production activities, as well as meeting the target needs of SMEs depending on their existing digital and technological maturity, as well as their various investment needs , namely:

• Measure 1 – SME Core Digital Transformation: concerns businesses that have not yet integrated important information and telecommunications technologies (ICTs) into their operations and aims to address key application and equipment deficiencies.

• Action 2 – Enhanced Digital Transformation of SMEs: concerns businesses seeking to increase their digital and technological maturity through comprehensive investments in new ICTs that will increase their competitiveness.

• Action 3 – Digital Transformation of Leading SMEs: for businesses that have already integrated ICT into many of their operations and are now looking to make comprehensive investments in advanced technologies or fourth industrial revolution solutions.

Today we will introduce the key elements of Action 1, Core Digital Transformation.

Eligible enterprises – participation conditions. According to the preliminary publication, operating medium, small and micro enterprises can apply for equity financing. Eligible business activity categories will be defined in a detailed call to action.

The main conditions for the participation of companies applying for financing are as follows:

1. Submit a single funding application for each VAT number.

2. Actively operate on Greek territory and invest exclusively in one category of the region (with the same intensity of assistance).

3. Keep simple or double digit books and have at least one (1) full closed administrative form.

4. Be active in a qualifying KAD investment plan for at least one (1) year.

5. The investment plan deals exclusively with eligible activities.

6. Have at least five full-time or part-time EMEs during the calendar year prior to applying for funding.

7. Carry out activities legally, as an enterprise of a corporate/commercial nature, having an appropriate, in accordance with applicable law, license to carry out activities.

8. Not be in the stage of bankruptcy, liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings.

9. That the physical investee was not completed or was not fully realized prior to the submission of the funding application.

Budget and duration of projects. As stated in the published data, the minimum and maximum total supported budget for a funding application is set at between €18,000 and €30,000. The maximum duration for the completion of the physical and financial facility will be specified in the detailed call to action, but is not expected to exceed nine (9) months from the date of issuance of the approval decision.

Help rate. For all regions of the country that are not included in the regions of a just transition 50%.

For clear transition zones 60%. (The areas of just transition are the regions: Western Macedonia, North Aegean, South Aegean, Crete and municipalities: Megapolis, Hortynia, Tripoli, Oichalia).

Please note that the grant budget of a funding application cannot exceed three times the maximum turnover achieved in one of the three (or less, if the company does not have three) management periods preceding the year of the funding application, with a maximum amount of EUR 30,000.

Permissible expenses. The main costs covered by the share relate to:

• Estimated cost of equipment: Provision of digital office equipment, upgrading of internal data networks, interaction with employees, customers or suppliers, etc.

• Estimated software costs: Provision of core business resources and process management applications (eg ERP, WMS, KPI, EDI, BMPS, etc.), imaging, 3D models and CAD, digital security, customer and supply chain management, manufacturing. optimization, etc.

• Estimated cost of providing digital upgrade services: Advisory support to monitor the implementation of the investment plan, technical support for the implementation of the investment plan, installation or configuration of applications included in the funding application.

The date of publication of the detailed call to action is defined as the start of eligibility.

The procedure for submitting and evaluating applications for funding will be determined by the publication of a detailed program announcement.

The full text of the preliminary publication can be found at http://21-27.antagonistikotita.gr/.

* Ms. Mary Paspalari is the Managing Director of AMBIO SA.