Announcement of the Program Action 2 “Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs”
The Package of Actions “Digital Transformation of SMEs” was announced, with a budget of €300,000,000, which aims to address the lag of Greek businesses in the adoption and integration of modern digital technologies in their production activity.The Bundle is divided into three Actions:Action 1 – Basic Digital Transformation of SMEs: concerns businesses, which have not yet integrated important information and telecommunications technologies (ICT) in their operation and aims to cover basic deficiencies in applications and equipment.Aid rate: from 50% to 60% It concerns business plans with a budget from €18,000 to €30,000.Action 2 – Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs: concerns businesses that aim to expand their digital and technological maturity with integrated investments in new ICT that will upgrade their competitiveness.Aid rate: from 10% to 50% Applies to business plans with a budget from €50,0000 to €650,0000. Action 3 – Leading SME Digital Transformation: concerns businesses that have already integrated ICT in many of their operations and now seek to implement integrated investments in cutting-edge technologies or 4th industrial revolution solutions.Aid rate: from 25% to 60% Applies to business plans with a budget from €200,001 to €1,200,000. The Action Package “Digital Transformation of SMEs” is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by national resources.Action 2 “Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs” Priority of Action 2 “Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs” is the upgrading of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Medium Digital Maturity, through the utilization of advanced systems and technologies, with which they can improve their position in international markets, to strengthen operational flexibility, to improve the production process, but also to upgrade their competitiveness.Start of Submission of Applications: 23/02/2023 and time 12:00 Minimum / maximum subsidized budget: €50,000 to €650,000Aid rate: from 10% to 50% depending on the region, the size of the business and the eligible expenditure.Action Budget: €150,000,000The Public Expenditure is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by National Participation.Budget Allocation by Category of Regions: €33,000,000 for the Regions in Transition: Attica and South Aegean €117,000,000 for the Least Developed Regions: Northern Aegean, Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Crete, Western Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Central Greece Beneficiaries Existing very small, small and medium enterprises, which, among other things, should:Have closed at least one (1) full administrative use. To be active in one of the eligible KAD of the investment plan for at least one (1) year. To have at least one (1) eligible KAD activity, when submitting the application for financing the investment plan. The investment should exclusively concern CDS contained in Annex XI – ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (CDS). To have at least five (5) EMEs of dependent work during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application. Work on the investment project has not started before the submission of the aid application. To collect at least a grade of 80 in the digital maturity questionnaire of this Call. It is pointed out that the co-location of companies is not allowed, so that it is not possible to use the equipment and/or the software of the supported investment by another company. The term co-location means the establishment of the aided enterprise in the same, non-distinct space with another enterprise. In the event that co-location of companies is found where it is possible to use the equipment of the supported investment by another company, the inclusion decision will be revoked.Eligible Expenditures Equipment Expenditures (indicative): Supply of sophisticated plant or staff operation systems, production automation with robotic systems, upgrading of internal data transfer networks, etc. Equipment Expenditures for the production of modern technological equipment and advanced digital systems with indicative but focused costs (indicative): Supply of advanced technological systems and mechanical equipment for the production of Industry 4.0 systems and equipment, security systems and equipment (e.g. site surveillance, cyber -protection, etc.), automation systems, robotic systems, etc. Software Expenses (indicative): Provision of modern applications for administrative and financial planning, digital security, customer and supply chain management, data analysis with artificial intelligence tools, optimization of production, upgrading of services provided, etc. Maximum duration of completion of physical and financial object: Fifteen (15) months, from the date of issuance of the Incorporation Decision. Expenses for the provision of services related to the digital upgrade (indicative): Technical support for the configuration and integration of the new systems in the operation of SMEs, system certification, etc. The start date of expenditure eligibility is defined as the date of submission of the funding application.Application Procedure The Funding Application is submitted electronically exclusively through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (IPSKE) using the Funding Application Submission Form standardized in OPSKE.Submitting a funding request is allowed either only in “Action 1 – Basic Digital Transformation of SMEs”, or only in “Action 2 – Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs”, or only in “Action 3 – Cutting Edge Digital Transformation of SMEs”.Funding applications will be evaluated in order of priority, according to the date and time of final electronic submission to OPSKE.The Action will remain open until the Budget is exhausted.Application area: Greece Submission period: From February 23, 2023 until the budget is exhausted
