Epicheiro Sterea (Central Greece): Subsidy of up to 75% for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

"Epicheiro Sterea"

The "Epicheiro Sterea" action (in Greek «Επιχειρώ Στερεά») is part of the Regional Programme "Central Greece" 2021-2027, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national funds.

The strategic goal of the action is to finance investment plans that fall exclusively within one of the eight sectors: 
1. Materials, Construction and Industry, 
2. Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries, 
3. Agri-food Chain, 
4. Environment and Circular Economy, 
5. Life Sciences – Health and Pharmaceuticals, 
6. Transport and Supply Chain, 
7. Sustainable Energy, 
8. Digital Technologies. 

The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and extroversion of the small and medium-sized enterprises of the Region of Central Greece, to modernise their production and operating methods through modern technology and innovation, to improve energy efficiency and apply circular economy principles, and to create new jobs. 
The evaluation is comparative, applications are submitted exclusively through OPSKE, and the investment plan must have a single character, demonstrably linked to one sector only.
 

Who It Concerns

The "Epicheiro Sterea" programme subsidises enterprises in the following sectors:

• Manufacturing: 10.xx–33.xx (food and drink, textiles, wood and paper, chemicals, plastics, metal products, electronics, machinery, vehicles, furniture etc.) — with exceptions per aid scheme
• Environment/recycling: 37, 38.11, 38.12, 38.3x, 39 (sewage treatment, waste collection/recovery)
• Construction: 41, 42, 43
• Wholesale trade: 45.1, 45.3, 46.xx
• Retail trade: 47.xx
• Transport: 49.4x, 50.xx, 52.xx (warehousing)
• Tourism/accommodation: 55.10, 55.20 (hotels, tourist accommodation, camping sites, rooms to let), with special classification requirements
• Food service: 56.10, 56.21, 56.29, 56.30
• Travel agencies: 79.11, 79.12, 79.90
• ICT: 58.xx, 61.xx, 62.xx, 63.xx
• Financial services (non-banks): certain codes in 64-66
• Health: 86.xx
• Social care: 87.30.01, 87.30.02, 87.30.03, 88.xx
• Education: 85.51, 85.52
• Culture/sport: 90.xx, 91.xx, 93.xx
• Repairs: 95.xx
• Professional services: 69.xx, 71.xx, 73.xx, 74.xx, 77.40, 81.30, 82.30, 96.23

Annex I, in the Useful Files section, covers a wide range of KAD codes, with distinctions per aid scheme. Certain sub-codes are excluded or apply to one scheme only — see Annex I of the call, in the Useful Files section, for the full detailed list.

Special requirements for tourist accommodation (KAD 55):

• Hotels: classification ≥3 stars, ≥8 beds
• Camping sites: classification ≥3 stars
• Self-catering accommodation – furnished tourist residences: a minimum of 3 residences, under the same operating licence (ESL) / Register of Tourism Enterprises (MHTE) number
• Rooms/apartments to let: ≥3 keys, ≥8 beds
• Extension of capacity or construction of new accommodation: ≥4 stars / 4 keys, ≥8 beds (except camping sites)
   

Basic conditions for participation (all must be met):

• Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
• Start of activity registered with AADE (the tax authority) before 30/06/2023
• At least 2 full closed financial years (2023 & 2024) with tax forms E3 & N filed
• In financial year 2024 they hold at least 1 eligible KAD code (main or secondary) of Annex I
• The investment plan must concern at least 1 eligible investment KAD code of Annex I
• An investment plan with a single character, exclusively in one sector of the National Smart Specialisation Strategy (ESEE)
• Subsidised budget within the limits of each aid scheme
• Proof of available capital of at least 25% of the eligible budget
• One single funding application per tax identification number (AFM)
• Implementation exclusively within the Region of Central Greece
• Lawful operation in the activity mainly carried out, with the appropriate licensing document
• It must have one of the following eligible legal forms: sole proprietorship, general partnership (O.E.), limited partnership (E.E.), limited liability company (E.P.E.), single-member E.P.E. (M.E.P.E.), société anonyme (A.E.), single-member A.E. (M.A.E.), private company (I.K.E.), single-member I.K.E. (M.I.K.E.), limited liability civil cooperative, unlimited liability civil cooperative, for-profit civil cooperative, Social Cooperative Enterprise under Law 4430/2016 (KOIN.SEP), Limited Liability Social Cooperative (KOI.S.P.E.), Pleasure Yacht Shipping Companies (N.E.P.A.), and agricultural cooperative.
   

Program Budget

The eligible budget for investment plans under the De Minimis aid scheme ranges from €30,000 to €400,000, with aid of 70%, or 75% if green expenses are included; for investment plans under the initial investment aid scheme (GBER) it ranges from €200,000 to €800,000, with aid of 50% for medium-sized and 60% for small and micro enterprises. The implementation period is 24 months from the approval of the funding application. 

The total budget of the action allows approvals of up to €16,000,000.00
 

Amount of Subsidy & Terms

The programme's subsidy is 70%, or 75% if green expenses are included, for plans that fall under the De Minimis scheme, with a project budget from €30,000 to €400,000.

For investment plans under the initial investment aid scheme (GBER) the aid is 50% for medium-sized and 60% for small and micro enterprises, and the size of the investment plan ranges from €200,000 to €800,000 

The implementation period is 24 months from the approval of the funding application. 

Expenses Subsidized

Eligible expenses are those incurred after the funding application is submitted; they are presented below:

Start date for the eligibility of expenses: the date the funding application is submitted electronically. End date of eligibility: 24 months from approval, and in any case no later than 31/12/2029.
 

Important Dates
 

• Start of submission of funding applications through OPSKE: 18/05/2026 — 13:00

• End of submission of funding applications: 18/09/2026 — 15:00

• Maximum project implementation period - 24 months from the date the final approval is notified — Up to 6 months extension (with a justified request ≥30 days before expiry)

• Absolute final date for completion and for the eligibility of expenses —  31/12/2029

• Duration of long-term obligations and of keeping supporting documents - 3 years after the last payment

Useful Files

Supporting documents for an application  to the "Epicheiro Sterea" Action (in Greek)