By decision of Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, the In-company Training for Employees in Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) and the Defence and Security Sectors (Defence) scheme was published, with total public expenditure of €20,000,000, under the “Competitiveness” Programme, NSRF 2021-2027.
Existing businesses employing 100 or more people can take part in the scheme, provided they have an eligible primary or secondary activity code (KAD) and operate in, or can demonstrate a clear business and strategic focus on, Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) or Defence and Security (Defence).
The scheme will support applications for business plans with grant-eligible budgets of between €150,000 and €1,200,000 for STEP/Defence activities.
Public funding covers 50% of these costs, while the amount of aid ranges from €75,000 to €600,000.
Eligible training may cover digital and advanced technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies and biotechnologies, as well as health technologies, defence technologies, cyber defence, information security, defence and space systems, dual-use technologies, certification and defence support.
The scheme aims to strengthen the growth prospects of the Greek economy and the country’s international profile, foster innovation, help businesses adapt to technological developments and support them in developing specialist skills in sectors shaping the future of the European economy and Europe’s strategic autonomy, while creating new specialist jobs.
As noted, the funding will serve as an incentive for businesses that invest systematically in their workforce, enabling them to introduce or expand training activities in these new sectors, provided they increase or maintain their total training expenditure.
An essential application document is the Business Training Plan (ΕΣΚ), which must set out the business’s links to Strategic Technologies for Europe or Defence and Security, analyse employees’ skills needs and how they relate to production and technology operations, and include an overall training plan, expected results and indicators.
Funding applications will be assessed directly, in order of receipt (First In – First Out), until the available budget for each regional category and priority is exhausted, and no later than 31 December 2026.
The call for applications was published on the DIAVGEIA platform and is available on the websites of the Special Management Authority (EYD) of the “Competitiveness” Programme, the NSRF and theEFEPAE.
Detailed information is available from the Information Office of the Special Management Authority (EYD) of the “Competitiveness” Programme on 801 11 36 300 or by email at [email protected], and from EFEPAE on 210 6985210 or by email at [email protected], as well as from EFEPAE’s partners.
Approved projects are funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) of the European Union and national funding.