The Action concerns the strengthening of tourism entrepreneurship through the creation of new micro-, small, and medium enterprises of selected tourism ACNos.
Budget: €160,000,000
The Action is co-funded by the EU European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national funds.
Eligible Enterprises
Enterprises under-establishment and newly established micro-, small, and medium enterprises expected to be active in the tourism sector, as they are defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
The term ‘newly established’ signifies enterprises that have not exceeded a 12-month period of continuous operation as of the date of announcement of the action.
The eligible Activity Code Numbers (ACNos) shall be determined in the Detailed Invitation of the Action.
Investment Plans and Funding Rates
Each investment plan may receive from €80,000 to €400,000 in funding.
The overall funding will amount to 45% of submitted expenses.
The percentage of the funding may be increased by (a) 10% if the investment is made in a remote or fire-prone or earthquake-prone or flood-prone area or on small islands; or (b) an additional 5% by achieving the employment target of at least 0.2 ALU (Annual Labour Units), in the first year after the completion of the investment.
The maximum duration of the completion of the physical and financial object of the investment plan cannot under any circumstances exceed 24 months.
Basic Participation Requirements
Potential beneficiary enterprises:
- Must invest exclusively in one Region of Greece. Plans to be implemented in the Regional Unit of Mykonos and the Regional Unit of Thira, the Municipality of Thira, with the exception of the Municipal Community of Thirassia, are excluded.
- Must be active exclusively in eligible ACNos, as defined in the Detailed Invitation expected to be issued, throughout the implementation of their investment plan. Startups must only be active in eligible ACNos of the Action.
- Must provide accurate details and location data regarding where the investment on a specific property (land, building or other kind of secluded area) will be implemented.
- Must have an approved building permit or, at least, a submitted application for it to be issued in cases of construction and completion of buildings from the date on which electronic submission commences, as set out in the call.
- Must submit a Land Use Certificate for the above investment location.
- Must submit details of their rights of use (ownership, usufruct, lease) on the property.
- Must provide evidence of their ability to cover the Private Participation at the percentage to be specified in the Detailed Invitation.
- Must meet the implementation requirements of Reg. EU 1407/2013 (De Minimis) on which the Action is based.
If the investment concerns tourist accommodations, these must have the following specific capacity and meet the following conditions:
MAIN HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels
- Ranked 4**** (four star) and above
- Capacity of twelve (12) beds or more
Hotel tourist accommodation within traditional buildings provided for in the Presidential Decree 33/1979
Organised tourist camping sites
- At least 3*** (three stars) and above
NON-MAIN HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Self-service accommodation – furnished tourist accommodations
Minimum number of residences: Three (3)
Please note: The total self-service accommodations – furnished tourist accommodations must belong to the same Electronic Register of Tourism Enterprises Mark.
Furnished rooms – apartments for rent
- Ranking of 4 or more keys
- Minimum capacity of twelve (12) beds
All requirements for participation shall be defined in the Detailed Invitation of the Action.
Categories of Eligible Costs
- Buildings, Facilities, and Surrounding Area
- Machinery – Equipment
- Digital Equipment and Software
- Other Equipment
- First-time operating aid (start-up SMEs)
- Promotion and Extroversion Costs
- Technical Studies
- Consulting Services
- Means of Transportation
- Indirect Costs (up to 7% of eligible direct costs of the investment plan)
The eligible cost categories, as well as their ceiling, will be set out in the Detailed Invitation of the Action.
The cost eligibility starting date shall be the date of the Action’s call
Submission and Evaluation of Applications for Funding
Applications for funding are submitted through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (iSAMIS). No printed supporting documents shall be submitted. The deadline and submission process, required supporting documents, obligations of the beneficiaries, as well as the other terms of implementation will be described in detail in the Detailed Invitation of the Action.
The action will be evaluated through Benchmarking.
The minimum passable score for approval of an investment plan is 60.
To see the Pre-publication of the Action, click here
