From the summer, the new cycle of the “Digital tools for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)” program will start “running” support for individual businesses, which have been established since January 1, 2024. The program in question is one of the three programs of the “Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Enterprises” action implemented by the Ministry of Digital Governance through the Information Society within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

As he emphasizes in APE BEE the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou “SMEs primarily support Greek business and from this point of view we could say that they hold the “key” to development. It is, therefore, a primary concern of the Government, not just to not be left behind by the digital age, but to manage to win the bet of their successful transition to the new digital age. Only in this way will they be able to be competitive in a particularly demanding technological environment. In this direction, we utilize significant resources of the Recovery Fund. Already from the 1st cycle of the “Digital Transformation of SMEs” action that we implement through the KtP, we have helped a significant number of businesses to acquire the appropriate digital tools. In the 2nd cycle our goal is to digitally strengthen an even larger number, also strengthening individual businesses. We support healthy entrepreneurship, we provide the necessary support and the appropriate digital tools, so that the Greek economy is digitally transformed and can “flourish”.

To whom is the second cycle addressed?

The beneficiaries of the Program will basically cover the eligibility criteria of the first cycle, with some important differences, such as:

  • Businesses that do not employ workers will also be strengthened.
  • In order to cover the eligibility regarding the activity of each business, the KAD with the highest gross revenue will be additionally taken into account.
  • The companies, which may be financed, should have been founded/incorporated before 01.01.2024.

Eligible costs will include combined solutions, where they will include equipment and software and/or services.

It is worth mentioning that in the first cycle of the program in question, which has already been completed, 45,509 beneficiaries were supported with a total amount of the grant that reached 92,990,407.56 euros, i.e. 78.37% of the total approved public expenditure. In particular, 7 out of 10 businesses employing between 1 and 5 staff were supported, while more than 60% of the aid amount was given to businesses employing between 10 and 250 people. About 70% of the public expenditure was absorbed by the beneficiaries in applications to improve the operation of businesses.

What is the “Digital Tools for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)” program

Let us remind you that the “Digital Tools SME” program is about supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in a wide range of sectors of the economy with a budget that reaches 135,000,000 euros and is addressed to approximately 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by providing checks (vouchers) for the acquisition, through purchase or lease, of new digital products and services. In particular, they enable:

  • modernize their productive, commercial and administrative function,
  • upgrade the way of communication and collaboration and introduce new forms of hybrid work (hybrid workplace),
  • digitize electronic transactions with customers and partners, including e-commerce,
  • increase the level of security and trust in electronic transactions, through the use of new digital products and services.