Not a single euro of the NSRF resources has reached the pockets of final beneficiaries. Zero absorption of funds is observed in three of the four actions of EPANEK (Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation). At the same time, the four Funds created under the same programme remain dormant.

That is what Mr Kostis Hatzidakis says with a question to the Minister of Economy and Development Dimitris Papadimitriou, referring to the "accounting absorption" of funds. This has a negligible positive impact on the real economy, in fact, at a time of prolonged lack of liquidity.

Utilizing data from the relevant decisions published in Diavgeia, as well as from its websites EPAnEK and the NSFR, the Vice-President of New Democracy notes that "two years after the date of the announcement (February 2016) of the four actions to enhance entrepreneurship in the framework of EPANEK, it seems that not a single euro has yet been disbursed to three of them".

There is mobility in action: Strengthening the employment of higher education graduates. Although the final integration of beneficiaries who were provisionally integrated in October 2016 has not yet been completed. In the other three actions, the flow of resources seems to be at zero.

Programs with Zero absorption of resources

1. Young entrepreneurship On 13/2/2017, according to the relevant ministerial decision, 1,526 potential beneficiaries were provisionally included with a total subsidised budget and public expenditure of 86.1 million. euro. The budget for public expenditure has been increased from EUR 72 million to EUR 116 million. by increasing those provisionally integrated with new pre-accessions of potential beneficiaries.
2. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises in tourism: In September 2017, 1,439 potential beneficiaries were provisionally registered with a public expenditure of €79.2 million. euro. At the same time, with a recent decision of the special secretary of the NSRF, Mrs. Ε. Fotioniata increased the public expenditure of the action from EUR 90 million to EUR 110 million. euro. This increased the number of potential beneficiaries to 1,970. According to the decisions posted in Diavgeia, to date, only 114 beneficiary projects have been included out of the 1,970 public expenditure of 6.1 million euros. euro. And in this programme not a single euro has been disbursed to businesses.
3. Upgrading SMEs to enter new markets : In July 2017, 4,412 potential beneficiaries were provisionally registered with a public expenditure of €257 million. euro. Of these, only 754 projects with public expenditure of EUR 38 million were carried out. euros have been definitively included.

Dormant portfolio funds

According to the EPANEK website, four Holding Funds have been established with a total budget of € 868 million. Euro (EPANEK public expenditure): The Entrepreneurship Fund II with a budget of € 400 million and the Venture Capital Fund with EUR 200 million. the Infrastructure Fund with a budget of EUR 400 million; € (€ 200 million from EPANEK) that is expected to finance investments in the areas of energy efficiency and urban development and the Energy Saving Fund II (€ 68 million) that concerns the financing of energy upgrade investments in housing. The EUR 868 million remains dormant, with no impact on the real economy and no facility for businesses, professionals and households. In addition, some EUR 500 million have been set aside for this purpose. Euros to boost entrepreneurship are stagnating in the regions. This is because the choice of entrustment to an intermediary has not been clarified. It should be noted that some regions are ripe for tenders (e.g. Central Macedonia, according to statements by the competent regional governor).