Microsoft held events in Patras, Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Athens, where it informed more than 1,000 partners and market players about the Recovery and Resilience Fund's programme for the digital transformation of SMEs. The events were held as part of the "Gr for Growth" initiative. A program that promotes technology as a catalyst for the competitiveness of Greek businesses. Through the events, the importance of digitalization for Greek small and medium-sized enterprises was highlighted. The solutions subsidized by the Recovery Fund program were also presented.

The Recovery Fund programme for the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises totalling 445 million euros and includes

• 180 million euros for digital tools
• 100 mill. euros for the development of digital solutions
• 165 million for digital transactions

The programme guide is expected to be published by the end of May. Interested SMEs interested in acquiring the digital tools will be able to submit applications for membership, as of June 15, 2022.

In particular, through the action of the "Digital Tools for SMEs" programme, small and medium-sized enterprises can acquire standardised digital products and services available on the market:

• to improve their productivity
• modernize their operation
• upgrade the way of communication, collaboration and remote work
• digitize their processes
• increase, overall, the level of security of their data and digital functions

Amount of subsidy

The amount of eligible costs to be financed by the Programme is staggered according to the size of the company. The maximum expenditure is twenty thousand euros (20,000 euros). The subsidy rate is 70%, so the maximum subsidy is fourteen thousand euros (14,000 euros).

According to a recent survey by Focus Bari (April 2022), 81% of small and medium-sized enterprises employing up to 10 employees and 67% of businesses employing between 11 and 250 employees are interested in the Program and the solutions it subsidizes. 59% of SMEs surveyed responded that they would use the program's subsidy for to acquire Microsoft 365, its cloud collaboration package Microsoft, containing the applications

• Office
• Outlook
• PowerPoint
• Excel
• Word
• security services
• cloud space for users' files
• the upgraded Teams service

As part of Microsoft's information events, company executives and government representatives discussed with IT companies the prerequisites and procedures for joining the Program, as well as Microsoft's solutions and cloud products that create value for small and medium-sized businesses.

Theodosis Michalopoulos, General Manager of MicrosoftGreece, Cyprus, Malta

"This year, Microsoft celebrates 30 years in the country, where it continues to operate with a vision to make Greece synonymous with growth, driven by technology. The "Gr for Growth" initiative accelerates the digitization of the private and public sectors, contributes to sustainable development with cutting-edge technologies, trains 100,000 citizens, employees and professionals in new digital skills, certifies a large part of them in the use of Microsoft technologies and creates more and better new jobs. We are, together with our partners, next to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the Greek economy, to support them in their digital journey, in order to remain competitive, but also to make the most of the benefits offered today by technology".

Thanos Dimas, advisor to the Minister of Digital Governance

«Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Greek and European economy. In the face of the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution, digital transformation is a one-way street for SMEsto continue to innovate and generate added value for the people involved in them and for the country as a whole. Moreover, the fact that all EU countries have included a similar program in their own plans for the utilization of the Recovery and Resilience Fund proves both the correctness of the targeting, as well as the need for this program to be implemented quickly and effectively. By supporting as the Ministry of Digital Governance the transition of SMEs to the digital age, we reduce their gap from large companies, strengthen their position in the market and create multiple epicenters for the development of innovation ecosystems".

Albertos Bourlas, business partner manager at MicrosoftGreece, Cyprus and Malta

"The Programme is a unique opportunity for the small and medium-sized enterprise market that represents 57% of the Greek economy. Microsoft products are the 1^st choice for these businesses. Together with our partners, we must immediately inform our customers and help them benefit from the Program, to accelerate their digital journey."