The Ministry of Development and Investment announced that 2.5 months after the start of applications for the Basic Digital Transformation of SMEs campaign, 1,123 funding applications were submitted with a total budget of EUR 32,214,835 with a public expenditure of EUR 16,549,550 covering approximately 18% from the total share budget. In particular, as indicated in the message of the ministry, in the category of less developed regions (Northern Aegean, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Crete, Western Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Central Greece, Peloponnese) three hundred and sixty six (366) funding applications with a public expenditure of EUR 5,404,615, while the public expenditure of action for this category is EUR 70,200,000. In the category of transitional regions (Attica, South Aegean), seven hundred and fifty-seven (757) applications were submitted with a public expenditure of EUR 11,144,935, while the public expenditure for this category is EUR 19,800,000. This means that there is a budget in all regions, and especially in less developed ones, where even 10% of the available budget is not covered. So, we remind you of the main elements of the promotion for those wishing to apply. The action is part of the package of state assistance measures “Digital Transformation of SMEs”, which is being implemented as part of the “Competitiveness” program of the NSFR 2021-2027. According to the call, operating medium, small and micro enterprises can apply for equity financing. Eligible business activity categories will be identified in a detailed call to action.

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

1. Be an SME and submit a single funding application for each VAT number.

2. Actively operate on the 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 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.

2.5 months after the start of the campaign, approximately 18% of the total budget was paid.

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 strengthened budget should be between 18,000 and 30,000 euros. The percentage of assistance is determined as follows:

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

For just transition areas: 60% (just transition areas Regions: West Macedonia, North Aegean, South Aegean, Crete, Municipalities: 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.

– Software costs with estimated 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.

– Costs for provision of services related to the digital upgrade with an estimated cost: Advisory support for monitoring 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 release date of the detailed call to action (February 15, 2023) is defined as the start of cost eligibility. The maximum term for the implementation of the investment project may not exceed 9 (nine) months from the date of the decision on approval. The full text of the announcement can be found at http://21-27.antagonistikotita.gr/ Applications are accepted until the budget is exhausted.

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