“Believing in our commitment to the further strengthening of small and medium enterprises and the creation of more jobs, we are proceeding with new actions concerning the transition areas, for the timely preparation of these enterprises”, noted the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis.

The aim of the Actions pre-published by the Administrative Authority of the “Just Development Transition” Program 2021-2027 is to support the transformation and strengthening of the competitiveness of existing businesses, as well as the establishment and attraction of new businesses that create jobs in the areas affected by the effects of delignitization.

The aid rate for all investment projects and for all costs included in it amounts to 70%. The investment projects will concern a subsidized budget from 20,000 euros to 100,000 euros.

The eligible costs of the Actions include, among others: buildings, facilities and surrounding space, equipment & electric means of transport, product certification, digital equipment & software, marketing costs, personnel costs as well as costs for improving energy efficiency and energy saving.

The Actions are:

• “Strengthening of Existing SMEs in the areas of the Territorial Plans of Just Transition of the Region of Western Macedonia & Megalopolis”, with a budget of 30,000,000 euros and beneficiaries existing Medium, Small and Very Small businesses.

• “Establishment of Businesses & Strengthening of New SMEs in the areas of the Territorial Plans of the Just Transition of the Region of Western Macedonia & Megalopolis”, with a budget of 20,000,000 euros and beneficiaries New Existing Medium, Small and Very Small Businesses and Businesses Under Establishment.

Under recommendation, means the companies that will submit the start of operations to the competent D.O.Y. after the online submission of the funding application. As new existing, we mean businesses that have started operations and have less than two full closed management years by the date of online submission of the funding application.

The aid will be allocated within the framework of Regulation (EU) no. 1407/2013 of the Commission of 18 December 2013 regarding the application of articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to aid of minor importance (De Minimis).

The pre-publications were posted on the websites of EYDAM www.eydam.gr, of ESPA 2021-2027 www.espa.gr and of EFEPAE www.efepae.gr and its partners with Geographical Competence for the areas of Territorial Just Transition Plans, specifically: a) for the Region of Western Macedonia KEPA-ANEM www.kepa-anem.gr b) for the municipalities of the Peloponnese Region Management of European Programs www.diaxeiristiki.gr.

On the above websites, there will be continuous updates on the Detailed Calls for Actions (as well as all the accompanying documents) as well as on the start time for submitting applications.