From the Program “Competitiveness” of the National Financial Markets Service for 2021-2027, it was announced the announcement 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:

Action 1 – SME Core Digital Transformation: Relates to businesses that have not yet integrated important information and telecommunications technologies (ICTs) into their operations, and aims to address key application and hardware deficiencies. (Budget for Action 1: €90,000,000)

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. (Budget for Action 2: €150,000,000)

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. (Budget for action 3: 60,000,000 euros)

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

According to the announcement, existing medium, small and very small 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. Be an SME and submit a single funding application for each VAT number.

2. Be active in Greece and invest exclusively in one Region Category (with the same aid intensity).

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 three dependent 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.

As stated in the published data, the increased budget should be between 18,000 and 30,000 euros. The percentage of assistance is determined as follows:

For all regions of the country outside the fair transition zones: 50%

For fair transit areas: 60%

The just transition zones are the regions of Western Macedonia, the North Aegean, the South Aegean, Crete and the municipalities of Megapolis, Gortynia, 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) closed management periods preceding the year of the funding application, with a maximum cap of €30,000.

The main costs covered by the share relate to:

– Estimated cost of equipment: Procurement 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 (e.g. ERP, WMS, KPI, EDI, BMPS, etc.), image processing, 3D models and CAD, digital security, customer and supply chain management, production optimization, etc.

– Expenses for the provision of services related to the digital upgrade.

The release date of the detailed call to action (February 15, 2023) is defined as the start of cost eligibility. The maximum duration of the investment project implementation may not exceed 9 (nine) months from the date of issue of the Approval Decision. The full text of the announcement can be found at http://21-27.antagonistikotita.gr/. Applications are accepted from February 23, 2023 until the budget is exhausted.

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