The event entitled ‘State aid with a focus on SMEs and new STEP – Defence priorities’ held at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), on the initiative of the General Secretariat for the Management of ERDF, CF and ESF+ Sectoral Programmes of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance was brought to a successful conclusion. The Alternate Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis referred to NSRF support for businesses throughout the country, underscoring Greece’s leading role in strategic technologies for Europe (STEP) and the new priorities for defence.
He also announced Actions for:
– strengthening SMEs in strategic technologies and defence, with a total budget of €80 million, through two calls: one for existing enterprises, with 50% aid, and one for newly established ones, with up to 67% aid.
– support for medium-sized and large enterprises, with €120 million for initial investments that will create new economic activity outside Attica, and
– in-house training through “STEP UP”, with a budget of €20 million.
Presented at the event were the new priorities of the ‘Competitiveness’ and ‘Human Resources & Social Cohesion’ programmes, as well as the STEP–Defence interventions for 2021-2027, with emphasis on investments and upgrading skills in strategic technologies, such as digital applications, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones and dual-use technologies, as well as specific funding tools for small and medium-sized enterprises and defence enterprises.
During the presentation, particular focus was placed on the State aid footprint through the “Competitiveness” Programme, where 9 sub-actions with 18,224 approved projects are being implemented. Additionally, 8,305 projects have been approved as part of the ‘Human Resources and Social Cohesion – Entrepreneurship’ Programme 2021-2027 while 11,499 loans totalling €2.91 billion were granted through the TEPIX III funding tool. Public expenditure on state aid and funding tools exceeded €3 billion in total, exhibiting significant dispersal throughout Greece.
The Secretary General for the Management of ERDF, CF and ESF+ Sectoral Programmes, Vasilis Siadimas, noted that STEP and STEP–Defence interventions constitute a targeted state aid framework for 2021-2027, with emphasis on both funding investments and upgrading skills in strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, cybersecurity, drones, and robotics, underscoring that “we are creating a cohesive toolkit that allows Greek enterprises, especially SMEs, to participate more actively in defence, security and dual-use technology projects”.
Opening remarks at the event were delivered by Ioannis Bratakos, President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, NSRF Secretary General, Aikaterini Oikonomou, Secretary General of the Public Investment and National Development Programmes, Vasileios Georgiadis, deputy director of the Public Employment Service, Georgios Bikas, President of the Intermediary Body of Operational Programmes for Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship, Ismini Papakyrillou, Managing Director of the Hellenic Development Bank and Dimitrios Terzis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation.
The opening remarks were followed by a thematic discussion panel entitled ‘Bolstering enterprises in the Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) and Defence sectors’ with the participation of Angeliki Fetsi, Head of the Managing Authority for the ‘Competitiveness’ Programme, Andriana Manoli, Head of the Managing Authority for the ‘Human Resources & Social Cohesion’ Programme, Georgios Sfyris as a representative of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Materiel Association (SEKPY) and Dimitra Maria Giordamli, Corporate Affairs of Prisma Electronics as a representative of the Hellenic Aerospace, Security & Defence Companies Association (EEELEAA). The discussion focused on the new opportunities for funding for both SMEs and large enterprises active in the defence sector, as well as on the importance of dual-use technologies.
Press Release from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance
