“Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs”: 4th decision approving evaluation results for the Action
The fourth (4th) Evaluation Results Approval Decision has been published for the Action “Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs” of the “Competitiveness” Program 2021–2027″, which includes the evaluation results for the next -in order of submission- thirty-five (35) applications, according to the date and time of their final electronic submission to OPSKE.
In particular, nine (9) funding applications with a subsidized public expenditure of 1,659,387.96 euros are approved and twenty-six (26) applications, with a total requested budget of 10,146,663.18 euros, are rejected.
The total approved projects in the Action amount to thirty (30) with a total eligible Public Expenditure of 5,095,602.4 euros and the total number of applications for which Evaluation results have been issued amount to seventy nine (79) funding applications of a total requested public expenditure 13,974,566.18 euros and a total requested budget of 30,383,420.74 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 seven (7) working days from the day after the notification of the final evaluation result, in accordance with the Decision Approving Evaluation Results, submit an administrative objection exclusively through OPSKE.
See the relevant decision here.
Advanced SME Digital Transformation
The Advanced Digital Transformation Action SMEs concerns businesses that aim to expand their digital and technological maturity with integrated investments in new ICT that will upgrade their competitiveness.
The main objective of Advanced Digital Transformation SMEs is to upgrade SMEs of Medium Digital Maturity through the use of advanced systems and technologies with which they can improve their position in international markets, to strengthen operational flexibility, to improve the production process and also to upgrade their competitiveness.
The Action encourages, as a matter of priority, the implementation of targeted digital transformation investment plans that contribute significantly to an extroverted, innovative, competitive and sustainable operation of companies producing products and providing services of higher added value.
Eligible expenses
The main categories of expenditure covered by the Action Advanced Digital Transformation of SMEs are the following:
1) Equipment Expenditures with indicative costs: Supply of sophisticated plant or personnel operation systems, production automation with robotic systems, CNC machines, 3D printers, 3D scanners, upgrade of internal data transfer networks, etc.
2) Equipment Expenditures for the Production of modern technological equipment and advanced digital systems with indicative but focused costs: Supply of advanced technological systems and mechanical equipment for the production of Industry 4.0 systems and equipment, security systems and equipment (e.g. space surveillance, cyber-protection, etc.), automation systems, robotic systems
3) Software Expenditures with indicative costs: Provision of modern applications for administrative and financial planning, digital security, customer and supply chain management, data analysis with artificial intelligence tools, production optimization, upgrading of services provided, etc.
4) Expenditures for the provision of services connected to the digital upgrade with indicative costs: Technical support for the parameterization and integration of the new systems in the operation of SMEs, system certification, etc.
Eligible expenses receive support in the form of the grant and concern:
a) Investment expenses in intangible and tangible assets (Article 14 Reg. EU 651/2014) in the following categories of Expenses:
- Equipment Expenses
- Software Expenses
b) Investment costs in intangible and tangible assets (Article 17 Reg. EU 651/2014, for the businesses of the Central, North and South Sectors of Athens) in the following categories of Expenses:
- Equipment Expenses
- Software Expenses
c) Expenses of consulting and support services (Article 18 Reg. EU 651/2014) in the following categories of Expenses:
- Expenses for Provision of Services