10-01-2025

New Program: Strengthening Digital Transformation of Cultural, Creative and Handicraft Sector Businesses

The Invitations of the Program “Strengthening the Digital Transformation of Cultural, Creative and Handicraft Sector Businesses”, which is financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0”, have been published Action with code 16293 “Culture as a Driver of Development”.

Investments target technologies and services that promote the digitalization of small and medium enterprises of the cultural, creative and craft sector, and specifically, in digital equipment, in software to support the provision of a digital product and digital display and advertising, in the digitization of the cultural product and its upgrade using digital media.

The program is divided into three individual State Support Programs-Actions, as follows:

Programme I: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation of Businesses in the Performing Arts sector”
Program II: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation of Businesses in the Book Production sector”
Program III: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation and Production Equipment of Handicraft Businesses”

Application Process

The interested who wish to participate in the Program can submit electronically the Funding Application exclusively through the Integrated Information System for State Aid Management (OPSKE), using the predefined form submission. Applications that do not include all mandatory fields of the OPSKE will not be accepted and will not proceed to the next stage.

The application submission process and the checks carried out by the Implementing Agency are specified in the Invitation for each Program.

The start date of electronic submission of funding applications to the Integrated Information System of State Aids (OPSKE) is set on Friday 10/01/2025 at 13:00. The invitations will remain open until the coverage of 120% of the available public expenditure of the Invitation and at the latest until Friday 28/02/2025 at 15:00.

The benefits for businesses

The strengthening of the digital transformation of businesses in the cultural and creative sector, through the encouragement of new/alternative models of cultural production, distribution and promotion and the support of investments for the development and diffusion of digital, foreign language and exportable cultural content.

The cultural and creative sector and the businesses operating in it face significant challenges in the post-pandemic era, as the pandemic has forced them to digitally transform in order to continue operating. At the same time, the digital transformation of the entire economy creates opportunities, but also requires adaptations to the operating models of businesses active in the cultural and creative sector.

1. Program I: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation of Performing Arts Businesses”

The purpose of Program I is to support businesses in the performing arts sector in investments in infrastructure and know-how for the development and diffusion of digital, foreign language and exportable content. The transition of the cultural and creative sector to the digital age is to cover modern challenges facing the sector and strengthen its alignment with the digital transformation of the entire economy.

The potential beneficiaries to receive financial support

Within the Program beneficiaries of the aid may be existing Small, Very Small and Individual Enterprises, as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC. Participation in the Program becomes feasible for businesses that meet the conditions for participation in Article A.3 of the KYA (GAZET B’/ 6027/01-11-2024).

Which expenses are financed

Program Budget

The budget for Program I (total Public Expenditure) amounts to six million two hundred forty-five thousand and six hundred and fifty euros (6,245,650.00 euros). Article A.6 of the General Law (Official Gazette B’/ 6027/01-11-2024). The amount of the approved applications may not exceed the Program budget, as amended from time to time.

Budget & Project Support Rate

The minimum and maximum reinforced budget of the funding application is set from 5,000.00 euros to 30,000.00 euros. The aid amounts to 70% of the subsidized budget in the form of a non-refundable grant.

See the Call for Program I, here.

Program II: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation of Businesses in the Book Production sector”

The aim of program II is to strengthen businesses in the Book Production sector, through their digital transformation. The main objectives of the program will be achieved through the promotion of digital transformation processes, which will facilitate businesses to adapt to new technological developments and the demands of the digital age. By encouraging new/alternative models, production, distribution and display of digital content, businesses in the sector are enabled to acquire alternative sources of revenue, beyond traditional revenue models. It is deemed necessary to support investments in infrastructure and know-how in order to create an environment where publishing companies can develop and disseminate digital content. Finally, the restructuring of the resources of the publishing companies is also important, with a view to increasing their efficiency through the digitization of processes.

The potential beneficiaries to receive financial support

Within the framework of the Program, beneficiaries of the aid may be existing Small, Very Small and Individual Enterprises, as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC. Participation in the Program becomes feasible for businesses that meet the conditions for participation in Article A.3 of the KYA (GAZET B’/ 6027/01-11-2024).

Which expenses are financed

Expenditure Categories 1.1 and 2 should collectively constitute at least 50% of the Subsidized Budget. The eligible actions and Expenses of this article may be specified by the Implementing Agency, in the Program Invitation of Article B.12. of KYA (Government Gazette B’/ 6027/01-11-2024).

Program Budget

The budget for Program I (total Public Expenditure) amounts to one million nine hundred and twenty one thousand seven hundred and forty euros (1,921,740.00 euro). Article A.6 of the General Law (Official Gazette B’/ 6027/01-11-2024). The amount of the approved applications may not exceed the Program budget, as amended from time to time.

Budget & Project Support Rate

The minimum and maximum enhanced budget of the funding application is set from 5,000.00 euros to 70,000.00 euros. The aid amounts to 70% of the subsidized budget in the form of a non-refundable grant.

See the Call for Program II, here.

Program III: “Funding to strengthen the Digital Transformation and Production Equipment of Handicraft businesses”

The purpose of Program III is to reinforce craft businesses operating in the pottery, textile and woodworking sectors, etc., through support investments throughout their scope of development and activity such as: equipment (main, auxiliary and digital), support of business and commercial activity through modern digital media, as well as the provision of incentives for the application of modern methods of promotion and promotion and the upgrading of the products provided by adopting international certification standards.

The potential beneficiaries to receive financial support

Which expenses are financed

Expenditure Categories 1.3 and 2 should collectively constitute at least 50% of the Subsidized Budget. The eligible actions and Expenses of this article may be specified by the Implementing Agency, in the Program Invitation of Article B.12. of KYA (Government Gazette B’/ 6027/01-11-2024).

Program Budget

The budget for Program I (total Public Expenditure) amounts to two million eight hundred thousand eighty two and six hundred ten euros (2,882,610.00 euro). Article A.6 of the General Law (Official Gazette B’/ 6027/01-11-2024). The amount of the approved applications may not exceed the Program budget, as amended from time to time.

Budget & Project Support Rate

The minimum and maximum enhanced budget of the funding application is set from 5,000.00 euros to 50,000.00 euros. The aid amounts to 70% of the subsidized budget in the form of a non-refundable grant.

See the Call for Program III, here.