The call for proposals for the action "Enhancement of Existing Enterprises with Priority in RIS3 Strategy Sectors in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace" has been published.

The call defines the eligibility conditions and the scoring criteria for evaluating investment plans. Priority will be given to businesses employing at least two staff members, having profitable financial results in previous years, and securing their private contribution to the investment.

The submission period for applications under this action begins on 10/02/2025 and ends two months later on 10/04/2025.

Interested parties should immediately start their preparations by gathering all necessary supporting documents and supplier quotes. Specifically, according to the call, two quotes from two independent suppliers are required for each expense exceeding a net value of €35,000.

It is reminded that the purpose of this action is to support initiatives of existing micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh), which are substantially active, meaning they had during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application a primary NACE code or a NACE code generating the highest revenue in the RIS3 strategy sectors:

1. materials, construction, and industry,
2. tourism, culture and creative industries,
3. agrifood chain,
4. environment and circular economy,
5. life sciences, health, pharmaceuticals,
6. transport and logistics chain,
7. sustainable energy,
8. digital technologies,

The total available public expenditure amounts to €30,000,000.

1. Terms and Conditions for Participation

Enterprises wishing to submit their investment plans for funding must meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least two (2) full fiscal years completed prior to the date of electronic submission of the funding application.
  • Operate within Greek territory, and the project must be implemented exclusively within the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
  • Qualify as a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
  • Be substantially active in RIS3 strategy sectors, i.e., have a primary NACE code or generate the largest revenue in eligible activity sectors in the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application.
  • The investment plan must relate to at least one of the eligible NACE codes of the action.
  • Submit a single funding application per tax identification number (TIN).
  • Demonstrate the availability of at least 60% of the required private contribution for the investment plan.

Additionally, enterprises can choose between two aid schemes: Regulation EU 651/2014 (GBER) or Regulation EU 2831/2023 (OJ EL L 15.12.2023) (De minimis). Under GBER, investment plans with budgets ranging from €300,000 to €1,000,000 are eligible, while under Regulation EU 2831/2023, plans with budgets between €70,000 and €600,000 are eligible.

2. Eligible costs

  • Personnel Costs

Eligible up to 20% of the subsidized budget and up to €45,000 for 1 to 3 FTEs under Regulation EU 2831/2023 (De minimis).

  • Costs of Equipment and transport means

This specific category is eligible under both aid schemes, and the percentages of the subsidized budget vary depending on the type of expenditure. Indicatively, productive and mechanical equipment can reach up to 100%, while expenses for vehicles are covered up to 40% and up to a maximum of €50,000.

  • Costs for Land, Buildings, Facilities & Surroundings

Construction expenses can reach up to 60% of the budget.

  • Expenses for Provision of Services

This includes branding, certification of services and procedures, software installation and customization, SaaS procurement, application submission costs, and monitoring of the investment plan.

  • Expenditure Software

Covers software procurement and licensing (licenses) up to 30% of the budget.

  • Expenditure Projection, Promotion & Networking

Eligible expenses include website creation or upgrades and participation in trade fairs.

  • Indirect Costs

Mandatory under Regulation EU 2831/2023 (De minimis).

3. Aid intensity

The subsidy rate is set at 50% of the subsidized budget in all cases.

4. Eligibility Start Date for Expenses

According to the draft invitation made public for consultation, the eligibility of expenses starts from the date of electronic submission of the funding application. The deadline for eligible expenses is the final completion date of the project, i.e., twenty-four (24) months from the issuance of the Decision of Approval of Evaluation Results.

5. Application Submission Start Date

The application submission process will begin on 10/02/2025 and end on 10/04/2025, and it will be carried out through the Integrated State Aid Information System. The implementation period is up to 24 months from the inclusion decision, and interested parties must submit their applications electronically, providing all the necessary documents and information for the evaluation of their investment plans.

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Enhancement of Existing Enterprises with Priority in RIS3 Strategy Sectors in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Stavros Nikas
Economist
ΙΩΝΙΚΗ Finance

The call for proposals for the action "Enhancement of Existing Enterprises with Priority in RIS3 Strategy Sectors in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace" has been published.

The call defines the eligibility conditions and the scoring criteria for evaluating investment plans. Priority will be given to businesses employing at least two staff members, having profitable financial results in previous years, and securing their private contribution to the investment.

The submission period for applications under this action begins on 10/02/2025 and ends two months later on 10/04/2025.

Interested parties should immediately start their preparations by gathering all necessary supporting documents and supplier quotes. Specifically, according to the call, two quotes from two independent suppliers are required for each expense exceeding a net value of €35,000.

It is reminded that the purpose of this action is to support initiatives of existing micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh), which are substantially active, meaning they had during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application a primary NACE code or a NACE code generating the highest revenue in the RIS3 strategy sectors:

1. materials, construction, and industry,
2. tourism, culture and creative industries,
3. agrifood chain,
4. environment and circular economy,
5. life sciences, health, pharmaceuticals,
6. transport and logistics chain,
7. sustainable energy,
8. digital technologies,

The total available public expenditure amounts to €30,000,000.

1. Terms and Conditions for Participation

Enterprises wishing to submit their investment plans for funding must meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least two (2) full fiscal years completed prior to the date of electronic submission of the funding application.
  • Operate within Greek territory, and the project must be implemented exclusively within the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
  • Qualify as a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
  • Be substantially active in RIS3 strategy sectors, i.e., have a primary NACE code or generate the largest revenue in eligible activity sectors in the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application.
  • The investment plan must relate to at least one of the eligible NACE codes of the action.
  • Submit a single funding application per tax identification number (TIN).
  • Demonstrate the availability of at least 60% of the required private contribution for the investment plan.

Additionally, enterprises can choose between two aid schemes: Regulation EU 651/2014 (GBER) or Regulation EU 2831/2023 (OJ EL L 15.12.2023) (De minimis). Under GBER, investment plans with budgets ranging from €300,000 to €1,000,000 are eligible, while under Regulation EU 2831/2023, plans with budgets between €70,000 and €600,000 are eligible.

2. Eligible costs

  • Personnel Costs

Eligible up to 20% of the subsidized budget and up to €45,000 for 1 to 3 FTEs under Regulation EU 2831/2023 (De minimis).

  • Costs of Equipment and transport means

This specific category is eligible under both aid schemes, and the percentages of the subsidized budget vary depending on the type of expenditure. Indicatively, productive and mechanical equipment can reach up to 100%, while expenses for vehicles are covered up to 40% and up to a maximum of €50,000.

  • Costs for Land, Buildings, Facilities & Surroundings

Construction expenses can reach up to 60% of the budget.

  • Expenses for Provision of Services

This includes branding, certification of services and procedures, software installation and customization, SaaS procurement, application submission costs, and monitoring of the investment plan.

  • Expenditure Software

Covers software procurement and licensing (licenses) up to 30% of the budget.

  • Expenditure Projection, Promotion & Networking

Eligible expenses include website creation or upgrades and participation in trade fairs.

  • Indirect Costs

Mandatory under Regulation EU 2831/2023 (De minimis).

3. Aid intensity

The subsidy rate is set at 50% of the subsidized budget in all cases.

4. Eligibility Start Date for Expenses

According to the draft invitation made public for consultation, the eligibility of expenses starts from the date of electronic submission of the funding application. The deadline for eligible expenses is the final completion date of the project, i.e., twenty-four (24) months from the issuance of the Decision of Approval of Evaluation Results.

5. Application Submission Start Date

The application submission process will begin on 10/02/2025 and end on 10/04/2025, and it will be carried out through the Integrated State Aid Information System. The implementation period is up to 24 months from the inclusion decision, and interested parties must submit their applications electronically, providing all the necessary documents and information for the evaluation of their investment plans.

Read more