“ESPA funds don’t just stay on paper. They reach businesses in every corner of the country, with the goal of providing support where value is actually created. Through the Competitiveness and Human Resources & Social Cohesion programs of the NSRF 2021–2027, investment projects and loans totaling more than 3 billion euros in public spending have already been approved.
At the same time, Greece is at the forefront of these developments and is participating in the European Union’s response, preparing for the future through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and the new priorities in defense.”
This was emphasized by the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis, during an event titled “State Aid with an Emphasis on SMEs and New STEP-Defense Priorities,” which took place at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) at the initiative of the General Secretariat for the Management of Sectoral Programs of the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Social Fund+ of the Ministry of Economy, Development, and Tourism.
Mr. Papathanasis announced measures to:
Supporting SMEs in strategic technologies and defense, with a total budget of 80 million euros, through two calls for proposals: one for existing businesses, with 50% funding, and one for new and start-up businesses, with funding of up to 67%.
Support for medium and large enterprises, with 120 million euros, for initial investments that generate new economic activity outside the Attica region.
In-house training through the STEP UP initiative, with a budget of 20 million euros.
The event featured a presentation of the new priorities for the “Competitiveness” and “Human Resources & Social Cohesion,” as well as the STEP–Defense initiatives for the 2021–2027 period, with an emphasis on investments and skills upgrading in strategic technologies such as digital applications, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, and dual-use technologies, as well as on specialized financing tools for small and medium-sized enterprises and defense companies.
The presentation made special mention of the impact of state aid, noting that through the “Competitiveness” program, 9 sub-actions are being implemented with 18,224 approved projects, while under the “Human Resources and Social Cohesion – Entrepreneurship 2021–2027,” 8,305 projects have been approved, and through the TEPIX III financing instrument, 11,499 loans totaling 2.91 billion euros have been granted. In total, public spending on state aid and financing instruments exceeded 3 billion euros, with significant geographical distribution across all regions of the country.
Vasilis Siadimas, Secretary-General for the Management of Sectoral Programs under the ERDF, CSF, and ETC+, emphasized that the STEP and STEP–Defense initiatives constitute a targeted framework for state aid for the 2021–2027 period, with a focus on both investment financing and skills upgrading in strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, cybersecurity, drones, and robotics, noting that: “We are creating a cohesive set of tools that enables Greek companies, particularly SMEs, to participate more actively in defense, security, and dual-use technology projects.”
The event featured opening remarks by Ioannis Bratakos, president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI); Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, secretary general of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF); Aikaterini Oikonomou, Secretary General of the Public Investment Program and the National Development Program; Vasileios Georgiadis, Deputy Administrator of the Public Investment Program; Georgios Bikas, President of the Hellenic Federation of Public Investment Agencies (EFEPAE); Ismini Papakyriou, CEO of the Hellenic Development Bank; and Dimitrios Terzis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation.
This was followed by a panel discussion titled “Supporting Businesses in the Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) and Defense & Security Sectors,” featuring Angeliki Fetsi, Head of the Managing Authority for the “Competitiveness” program, Andriana Manoli, Head of the Managing Authority for the “Human Resources & Social Cohesion” program, Georgios Sfyris, representing the Association of Greek Defense Equipment Manufacturers (SEKPY), and Dimitra Maria Giordamli, Corporate Affairs at Prisma Electronics, representing the Hellenic Aerospace, Security & Defense (EELEA). The discussion highlighted new financing opportunities for both SMEs and large companies in the defense sector, as well as the importance of dual-use technologies.