Background information

Οn September 2020, a €650 million programme co-financed from European resources (European Regional Development Fund - ERDF), supporting micro and small enterprises was activated in 13 regions affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The 13 regions are: Attica, Central Greece, Crete, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Epirus, Ionian Islands, North Aegean, Peloponnese, South Aegean, Thessaly, Western Greece, Central Greece and Western Macedonia. The public support will take the form of direct grants of working capital based on the percentage of the expenses that the beneficiaries had in 2019. The maximum percentage of the company's expenses to be subsidised is 50%. The purpose of the scheme is to support micro and small enterprises that are facing a sudden liquidity shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Content of measure

The government funding of the small and very small enterprises is accepting applications, from businesses that employ less than 50 employees.

Public funding covers Working Capital equal to 50% of the company's costs in 2019 with a minimum grant amount of €1,500 up €5,000 (which is differentiated between the regions of Greece) and a maximum of €15,000 up €50,000. The amounts on which each specific grant will be calculated shall be derived from the sum of:

• the purchasing of goods
• the buying of raw materials
• the total costs for the provision of services
• all rents paid by the company
• all employee benefits
• various operating expenses

The calculation of the corresponding working capital (public financing) is derived from the sum of the amounts declared above and the grant covers the 50%.

Also the companies submitting a proposal should:

• be active in the region concerned.
• have started operations before 1 January 2019.
• have as their main activity one of the eligible ACN codes (Activity Code Numbers).

Use of measure

There is no information. The programme is in progress.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	SMEs	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies Local / regional government	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There is no involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

According to the President of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (EEA), although the measure is positive for enhancing the liquidity of the enterprises, nevertheless the requirements of the programme do not allow to thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as self-employed persons to participate. On the other hand, the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE) strongly supports this action.

Sources

• 17 October 2020: Ο… χάρτης με τα 9+2 ΕΣΠΑ – Ποια προγράμματα «τρέχουν», ποια θα ανοίξουν (eleftherostypos.gr)
• 28 July 2021: EC: Direct grant to SMEs (ec.europa.eu)