“Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs”: 9th Decision Approving Evaluation Results for the Action

The ninth (9th) Evaluation Results Approval Decision has been published for the Action “Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs” of the Program “Competitiveness 2021/27”, which includes the evaluation results for the following -in order of submission- forty one (41) applications, according to the date and time of their final electronic submission to OPSKE.

In particular, twenty-nine (29) funding applications with a subsidized public expenditure of 5,079,256.61 euros are approved and twelve (12) applications, with a total requested budget of 4,006,987.06 euros with a requested public expenditure 1,901,795.45 euros are rejected.

The total approved projects in the Action amount to one hundred and fourteen (114) with a total eligible public expenditure of 18,456,525.73 euros and the total of applications, for which evaluation results have been issued, amount to two hundred and nineteen (219) funding applications for a total requested public expenditure of 36,420,209.16 euros and a total requested budget of 78,468,247.43 euros.

The start of eligibility of operations is the date of submission of the funding application.

The beneficiaries are informed electronically, at the electronic contact address (email) stated in the submission form, through the Integrated Information System of State Aids (IPSKE).

The interested parties may, within an exclusive period of ten (10) working days from the day after the notification of the final evaluation result, in accordance with the Decision on the Approval of Evaluation Results, submit an administrative objection (an open appeal within the meaning of Article 25 of Law 2690/1999) exclusively through OPSKE.

See the relevant Decision here.

Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs

The Advanced Digital Transformation ActionSMEsconcerns businesses that aim to expand their digital and technological maturity with integrated investments in new ICT that will upgrade their competitiveness.

The main objective of Advanced Digital TransformationSMEs is the upgrading of Medium Digital Maturity SMEs through the utilization of advanced systems and technologies with which they can improve their position in international markets, strengthen operational flexibility, improve the production process and also upgrade their competitiveness.

The Action encourages, as a matter of priority, the implementation of targeted digital transformation investment plans that contribute significantly to an extroverted, innovative, competitive and sustainable operation of companies producing products and providing services with higher added value.

Eligible expenses

The main expenditure categories covered by the Action Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs are as follows:

1) Equipment Expenditures with indicative costs: Supply of sophisticated systems for operating facilities or personnel, automation of production with robotic systems, CNC machines, 3D printers, 3D scanners, upgrade of internal data transfer networks, etc.

2) Equipment Expenditures for the Production of modern technological equipment and advanced digital systems with indicative but focused costs: Supply of advanced technological systems and engineering equipment for the production of Industry 4.0 systems and equipment, security systems and equipment (e.g. space surveillance, cyber-protection, etc.), automation systems, robotic systems

3) Software Expenditures with indicative costs: Provision of modern applications of administrative and financial planning, digital security, customer and supply chain management, data analysis with artificial intelligence tools, production optimization, upgrading of services provided, etc.

4) Expenditures for the provision of services linked to the digital upgrade with indicative costs: Technical support for the parameterization and integration of the new systems in the operation of SMEs, system certification, etc.

Eligible expenses receive support in the form of the grant and concern:

a) Investment costs in intangible and tangible assets (Article 14 Reg. EU 651/2014) in the following categories of Expenses:

• Equipment Expenses
• Software Expenses

b)Investment costs in intangible and tangible assets (Article 17 Reg. EU 651/2014, for the businesses of the Central, North and South Sectors of Athens) in the following categories of Expenses:

• Equipment Expenses
• Software Expenses

c) Expenses for consulting and support services (Article 18 Reg. EU 651/2014) in the following categories of Expenses:

• Expenses for Provision of Services