Action 3 ‘Cutting-edge Digital Transformation of SMEs’

The priority of Action 3 ‘Cutting-edge Digital Transformation of SMEs’ is the upgrading of SMEs using cutting-edge technologies or advanced digital systems of the 4th Industrial Revolution and, on a supplementary basis, the meeting of needs in terms of information and communication technologies (ICT) expanding their productivity and competitiveness.
As a priority, the Action encourages the implementation of targeted investment plans involving digital transformation that contribute towards the extroverted, innovative, competitive and sustainable critical production of goods and services of higher added value.

Application opening date:
23/02/2023 at 12:00 until22.03.2024at 15:00

Minimum/maximum subsidised budget:
€200,001 up to €1,200,000

Aid intensity:
from 25% to 60%, depending on the aid scheme, the Region of Greece and the enterprise size.

Action Budget: €60,000,000
Public Expenditure is co-funded by the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national funds.

Budget allocation per regional category:

• €13,200,000 for Transition Regions: Attica and South Aegean
• €46,800,000 for Less Developed Regions: North Aegean, Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Crete, Western Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Peloponnesus, Central Greece.

Beneficiaries: small and medium-sized enterprises which, inter alia, must:

• have completed at least one (1) accounting period;
• have been active in one of the eligible activity code numbers (KAD) of the investment plan for at least one (1) year;
• have at least one (1) eligible activity code number (KAD) at the time of submission of the financing application of the investment plan included in Annex IV – ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (KADs);
• have an investment plan which exclusively concerns the eligible KADs found in Annex IV – ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (KADs)
• have at least nine (9) employee AWUs during the calendar year preceding the submission of the financing application;
• not have commenced work on the investment plan prior to submitting the aid application;
• have scored at least 70 on the digital maturity questionnaire found in this Call.

It is stressed that co-location of enterprises is not permitted, so that the equipment and/or software of the aided investment cannot be used by a different enterprise. The term “co-location” means the establishment of the aided enterprise in the same, non-discrete premises as a different enterprise. Where co-location of enterprises allowing for use of the aided investment equipment and/or software by a different enterprise is ascertained, the Inclusion Decision shall be revoked.

All the requirements for beneficiary participation are presented in detail in the Action Call.

Eligible Expenditure

• Expenditure for equipment (by way of example): procurement of advanced systems for the remote operation of facilities, automation of the various stages of the value chain (production – transport – storage), production/storage/transport using robotics systems, upgrading of internal data transfer networks, etc.
• Expenditure for software (by way of example): procurement of enhanced-intelligence applications concerning administrative and economic planning, digital security, customer and supply chain management, data analysis using artificial intelligence tools, optimisation of production, upgrading of the services provided, etc.
• Expenditure for the provision of services associated with digital upgrading (by way of example): consulting and technical support for the configuration and incorporation of new systems in the operation of SMEs, certification of systems, etc.

The date of submission of the financing application is set as the starting date for eligibility of expenditure.

Maximum duration of completion of the physical and financial scope: Eighteen (18) months from the date of issue of the Inclusion Decision.

Application Submission Procedure

Financing applications are submitted exclusively using electronic means via the Integrated State Aid Information System (OPSKE) using the standardised Financing Application Submission Form available on OPSKE (Annex I).

OPSKE User Manual Financing Application

Financing applications may be submitted only for ‘Action 1 – Basic Digital Transformation of SMEs’ or ‘Action 2 – Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs’ or ‘Action 3 – Cutting-edge Digital Transformation of SMEs’.

Financing applications will be evaluated in order of priority, in accordance with the date/time of final electronic submission to the OPSKE.

The Action will remain open until the Budget has been exhausted.

Action Communication Material

Action Infographic in PDF format