Expected ESPA program: Support for the establishment and operation of new SMEs
The program "Strengthening the establishment and operation of new small and medium-sized enterprises" is the third initiative in a row of the NSRF 2021-2027 and is expected to start in the 4th quarter of 2023 for the submission of applications.
It will consist of 2 sub-programs which have the below main features:
Main Features
Action "Strengthening the establishment and operation of new small and medium enterprises"
The subsidized budget of each investment project ranges from €30,000 to €400,000.
The subsidy will amount to 45% of the submitted costs and can reach up to 60% under conditions.
Newly established businesses (starting after 18/12/2022) or under-established businesses can submit.
Action "Strengthening the establishment and operation of new small and medium-sized tourism businesses"
The subsidized budget of each investment project ranges from €80,000 to €400,000.
The grant will amount to 45% of the submitted costs and can reach up to 60% under conditions.
For tourist accommodation businesses, the eligible forms of investment are the following:
- Main Tourist Accommodations: Hotels 3 stars and above (Capacity 12 to 50 beds), Hotel Tourist Accommodations within traditional buildings, Camping 3 stars and above and Youth Hostels.
- Non-Primary Tourist Accommodation: Self-catering accommodation, Tourist Enterprises. At least 3 rented rooms-apartments (4 keys or more and a minimum capacity of 12 beds).
- Tourist offices of various activities
- Alternative Forms of Tourism: Sports tourism, marine tourism, rural tourism and other alternative forms of tourism (theme parks etc.) and other business activities in the field of tourism.
The subsidy rate for both actions may be increased by:
(a) 10% if the investment is made in a remote or fire-prone or flood-prone area or small islands and
(b) an additional 5% upon reaching the employment target of at least 0.2 EME, in the first year after the completion of the investment.
Prerequisites
For inclusion in the action, medium, small, and very small businesses that are in the process of being established or are newly established without a full operating year can submit a proposal. The basic conditions for participation of the potential beneficiary businesses are the following:
- To invest exclusively in one Region.
- To operate under eligible Activity Codes (ΚΑΔ) that will be defined in the detailed invitation of the action.
- To provide accurate details and data on the location of the investment on a specific property (land, building, or any other type of independent space).
- To provide details on the ownership status of the property.
- To provide a land use certificate for the above-mentioned investment location.
- To provide evidence of securing private participation, at least 60% of the proposed subsidized budget of the investment plan.
- Not to have commenced work on the investment plan before submitting the funding application.
- If the investment concerns a tourist accommodation, it should be of a specific capacity and specifications to be determined in the detailed invitation.
- If the investment concerns furnished tourist residences, there should be at least three under the same EOT Seal/Registration Number (Tourist Business Registry).
- To comply with the terms of application of EU Reg. 1407/2013 (De Minimis).
Payment of Funding
The subsidy of interim payments will amount to 40% of the submitted expenses. An additional subsidy rate of up to 15% will be paid upon completion based on achieving goals related to the percentage of investment implementation, as well as new salaried employment hires.
The subsidy to be paid within the framework of the action is not subject to withholding or seizure in the hands of the State or third parties, deviating from any other contrary general or special provision, it is not offset with certified debts to the Tax Administration and the State in general, public law entities, local government organizations and their legal entities, insurance funds, and credit institutions, and no other special charge or equivalent fee is collected, which would result in reducing the amount owed to the beneficiaries.
Eligible Expenses
|
Expense Category |
|
|---|---|
| 1 |
Buildings, facilities, and surrounding area: Construction/extension of buildings and finishing of buildings |
| 2 |
Machinery - equipment:
|
| 3 | Initial operations support (start-up of SMEs) |
| 4 | Promotion expenses |
| 5 | Technical studies |
| 6 | Consulting services |
| 7 | Transportation means |
| 8 | Salary cost of new employees (new staff) |
| 9 | Indirect expenses |
Submission - Evaluation - Inclusion – Implementation
Applications for funding should be made exclusively electronically, without the need for physical documentation, through the State Subsidy Management System (OPSK, app.opske.gr). Details, submission method, deadline, necessary documents, beneficiaries' obligations, and other information will be announced in the detailed call. It is important to note:
- Significant changes to the main subject or location of the investment are not allowed.
- Major changes or differences in the participants and their percentages are not allowed during the project, from the time of application until the completion of the investment.
- The participation of an Individual/Legal Entity in more than one approved funding application is not allowed.
Finally, from the Ministry of Environment, it is emphasized that the evaluation of applications will be based on the order of submission (First Come First Served) and the investment programs will be evaluated until the available funds are exhausted, just like in the previous 2 ESPA programs.
Initially, there will be a check for participation requirements and then the eligible proposals will be scored based on criteria related to:
- Ensuring private participation by evaluating the availability of partners' capital.
- The experience of the business partners/shareholders in implementing the investment plan.
- The location of the investment (investments in remote areas are prioritized).
- The maturity of the investment plan regarding the required permits for the start of its implementation.
- The feasibility of the implementation timetable.
- The relevance of the investment plan to the National Strategy for Smart Specialization 2021-2027.
Resubmission
In case of rejection, the same corporate scheme, i.e., the same individuals/legal entities regardless of participation percentages, will have the right to a maximum of one resubmission.
We are at your disposal for any information or clarification you wish.