“Save – Business”: The platform for submitting declarations is open from today

Starting today, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, applications can be submitted for inclusion in the “Ecoconomi – Empiriso” program under the name “Improving energy efficiency enterprises of the tertiary sector, budget 176.75 million euros, financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

The relevant announcement for the launch of the program was signed by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Thodoros Skylakakis, the Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis and the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Ms. Alexandra Sdoukou.
The purpose of the program is the energy upgrade of buildings and non-buildings facilities existing businesses–very small, small, medium, large and very large – of the Greek Territory, who are active in eligible Activity Code Numbers (KAD) from the branches of commerce, of services, of focus, of bakery and confectionery production, as well as tourism.

It is also noted that the businesses in question should have a Greek VAT number and be active on the date of submission of the application for participation.

Especially for tourist businesses, the right to participate has those, according to the operating sign or the notification submitted, that have a capacity that does not exceed 200 beds.

The subsidized budget –public expenditure and private participation, excluding VAT– of each investment proposal of a potential aid beneficiary cannot exceed 500,000 euros for the tourism sector and correspondingly cannot exceed 250,000 euros for the trade and services sector.

The benefiting companies will receive support for the implementation of interventions, concerning:

  • energy upgrading of building envelope (e.g. thermal insulation, installation of shading systems)
  • energy saving in space heating systems (replacement of boilers with heat pumps) and space cooling systems (replacement of coolers)
  • space ventilation
  • hot domestic water
  • replacement of energy-consuming equipment related to the production process of the services provided (e.g. ovens, refrigerators), etc.

The percentage of support for eligible expenses can reach up to 65% and depends on the type of expenses, as well as the size of the business.

Applications for funding under the program “Improving the energy efficiency of tertiary sector enterprises” are submitted through the electronic platform: https://exoikonomo-epixeiro2023.gov.gr/ until 3-31-2024. The method of immediate evaluation (First in-First out) is applied to the program.

In fact to inform the public, for the better and timely preparation of those interested, the program was pre-published, on 14.2.2024, on the official websites of the ministries National Economy and Finance and Environment and Energy.

This initiative is implemented within the framework of the action: “Saving – Doing Business”, with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.