“Digital Transformation of Leading SMEs”: 7th decision approving results – Amendment after consideration of objections to the action

Digital Edge Transformation of SME

Published the seventh (7th) Evaluation Results Approval Decision – Amendment after consideration of objections for Action «Digital Edge Transformation SMEs“ of the Program “Competitiveness 2021/27“, according to which thirty-four (34) objections were considered of which five (5) related to approved funding applications and twenty-nine (29) in rejected funding applications. In particular, eighteen (18) funding applications change their status and become approved, with a public expenditure of 7,128,697.76 euros. In one (1) already approved funding application, the budget is increased with an increase in public expenditure by 172,550.00 euros. Eleven (11) funding applications remain rejected.

With the Decision, the total approved projects in the Action amount to sixty-eight (68) with a total eligible public expenditure of 29,664,658.86 euros. The total number of applications for which evaluation results have been issued in the Action amount to one hundred and twenty one (121), for the total number of applications submitted to the Action, a total requested budget of 98,247,158.60 euros and requested public expenditure 47,239,152.31 euros.

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

The interested may, within an exclusive period of ten (10) working days from the day after the notification of the final assessment result, in accordance with the Decision Approving Evaluation Results, submit an administrative appeal (an appeal within the meaning of article 25 of law 2690/1999) exclusively through WHEREAS.

See the relevant Decision here.

Action “Digital Transformation of SMEs”

Priority of the Action “Digital Transformation of Leading SMEs” is the upgrading of SMEs with edge technologies or with esophisticated 4th generation digital systems industrial revolution and additionally the coverage of particular needs in information and communication technologies (ICT) that expand their productivity and competitiveness.

The Action encourages, as a matter of priority, the implementation of targeted digital transformation investment projects that contribute to an outgoing, innovative, competitive and sustainable critical production of products and services of higher added value.

Boost Rate

From 25% to 60% depending on the aid regime, the Region of the country and the size of the business.

Action Budget

The budget of the Action amounts to 60,000,000 euro.

The Public Expenditure is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and by National Participation.

Budget Allocation by Region category

  • 13,200,000 euros for the Regions in Transition: Attica and South Aegean
    46,800,000 euros for the Less Developed Regions: Northern Aegean, Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Crete, Western Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Central Greece.

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are small and medium enterprises, which among others should:

  • To 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 project, included in Appendix IV – ELIGIBLE
    ACTIVITIES (KAD)
  • The investment plan should concern exclusively the eligible KAD of Annex IV – ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES (KAD)
  • To have at least nine (9) EMEs of dependent work during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application.
  • Works on the investment project have not started before the submission of the aid application.
  • Gain a minimum score of 70 on the invitation’s digital maturity questionnaire.

It should be noted that co-location of companies is not allowed, so that it is not possible to use the equipment and/or software of the supported investment by another company. The term co-location means the installation 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 and/or software of the supported investment by another company, the Inclusion Decision will be revoked.

Eligible Expenses

  • Equipment Expenses (indicative): Supply of sophisticated systems for remote operation of facilities, automation of the various stages of the value chain (production – transport – storage), production / storage / transport with robotic systems, upgrading of internal data transfer networks, etc.
  • Software Expenses (indicative): Supply of applications of increased intelligence of 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.
  • Expenses for the provision of services related to the digital upgrade (indicative): Consulting and technical support for the configuration and integration of the new systems in the operation of SMEs, system certification, etc.

The date of submission of the funding application is defined as the start date of expenditure eligibility.

Maximum duration of completion of physical and financial object: Eighteen (18) months, from the date of issuance of the Decision Approving Evaluation Results.

See more information about the action here.