By the end of the year, a "package" of financial tools will have been activated in cutting-edge sectors of the Greek economy, such as agri-food, tourism and the environment.

The new period for submitting applications for the NSRF action is already "running" - until December 13 "Strengthening the self-employment of higher education graduates". Graduates of higher education, who wish to create or strengthen their own business, will be able to receive funding, which can amount to up to €50,000.

Budding entrepreneurship

The second cycle of the action is expected in the near future "New entrepreneurship", which concerns the establishment of new small and very small businesses by the unemployed and by professionals who do not have a wage employment relationship. In the framework of the action, business plans with a total budget of investment amount (subsidized per person) are supported by 15,000 euros to 60,000 euros, to cover 100% equal amounts of eligible costs for a period of up to 24 months from the date of the decision to include the business plan.

The subsidy concerns the establishment of a business in the eight strategic priority sectors: Agri-Food/Food Industry, Cultural & Creative Industries (C&C), Materials/Construction, Supply Chain, Energy, Environment, ICT Information and Communication Technologies, Health-Pharmaceuticals.
Business upgrade in new markets

Also, the second cycle of the program is expected "Upgrading micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to develop their capabilities in new markets", which will support existing micro and small businesses operating in the eight strategic priority areas of EPANEK, including agri-food. The program aims to improve the quality of the offered products and services or to create new products/services, which will cover specific market needs.

Investment plans may also aim to reduce costs or increase the efficiency of operational and production processes. It is worth noting that in the first round 9,577 proposals were submitted with a total budget of 1 billion euros.
New programs

Extroversion: With particular interest, however, it is expected that the special program will be announced by the ministry "We venture out". The program, with a total budget of 30 million euros, will finance the participation of companies in international trade fairs, as well as other ways of promoting their products in international markets.

Environment: In the grant of investment projects for the business utilization of liquid, solid and gaseous waste and third-party waste, with the aim of producing and distributing raw materials and intermediate or final products and services of high added value, the action aims "Enhancement of Environmental Industry". Within the framework of the program, investment projects will be supported with a budget of investment from 250,000 euros to 2,500,000 euros, for a period of up to 36 months from the date of the decision to include the investment plan. The total budget (public expenditure) amounts to 30 million euros.

Tourism: With a budget of 120 million euros, it is expected to start in December the electronic submission of funding applications for investment projects for the creation of new very small and medium-sized tourism businesses, within the framework of the new NSRF program "Strengthening the establishment and operation of new tourism small and medium enterprises". According to the call for action, the subsidized budget of each investment will be able to range from 25,000 euros to 400,000 euros. The amount of the state subsidy per investment is determined in 45% (55% the private participation), while this percentage can even reach 50%, since in the investment plan there will be a provision for the creation of new permanent jobs.

CounS.Ep.: The Action "Entrepreneurship development of existing and newly established Social Cooperative Enterprises (Coun.S.Ep.)", with a total budget of 31 million euros, concerns the implementation of sustainable business plans by Social Cooperative Enterprises, which will be designed with their social impact in mind. Business plans may concern the acquisition of necessary equipment and/or the receipt of necessary services for the implementation of the investment plan, the targeted reinforcement of quality assurance needs of services or products provided and the covering of part of the salary costs for the creation of new jobs (including members of KOINSEP).

Over 45: The action "Leveraging Business Experience - Business Reboot" concerns the establishment of new businesses by unemployed people over the age of 45. In particular, the action provides a framework of new business opportunities to unemployed people who have previously developed business activity or have significant professional experience to do so, in order to contribute to their reintegration into the labor market, making use of the knowledge that these individuals possess. The total budget of the supported investment projects is estimated to amount to 54 million euros.