This briefing includes 2 new development programs announced on May 6th by the Region of Central Macedonia. These concern investments in newly established or to-be-established enterprises, as well as existing businesses, with investment budgets ranging from €25,000 to €500,000 and a grant rate of 50%.
Additionally, the results of the “Entrepreneurship Support Program for Unemployed Individuals Aged 30–59 with an Emphasis on Women,” managed by DYPA (formerly OAED), were recently announced (May 5th, 2025). We are currently in communication with the eligible beneficiaries to implement the next stage.
Finally, we include an informal reference to an upcoming program under the NSRF (ESPA), targeting the establishment of new and/or existing businesses by university graduates, which is part of the official planning.
Before delving into the above, we would like to inform you that as of Monday, May 12th, I will be abroad for professional obligations and will not be reachable via phone or email until May 25th.
During this period, communication will be handled by Spyros Panteloglou exclusively on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 18:00 to 21:00 at the office phone number +30 2311-288204, via email at info@darbin.gr, or in person at our office at 25 Paraskevopoulou Street, Thessaloniki, during the same days and hours.
STARTING POINT FOR INNOVATION & EXTROVERSION IN CENTRAL MACEDONIA (for new / to-be-established businesses)
This program targets new and to-be-established medium, small, and micro-enterprises operating in specific sectors of manufacturing, tourism, and service provision.
Funding applications ranging from €25,000 to €500,000 are supported, with public funding covering up to 50% of the proposed investment budget.
Grants will be awarded under the De Minimis Regulation.
The evaluation of funding applications will be competitive.
The detailed call includes comprehensive information (eligibility criteria, required documents, budgets and grant amounts, application submission, evaluation, eligible expenses, implementation monitoring procedures, long-term obligations, etc.).
Eligible Applicants:
New and to-be-established micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
“To-be-established” refers to businesses founded after the electronic submission of the funding application.
“New” refers to businesses established after January 1st, 2023.
Application Period:
From May 20th, 2025 to August 11th, 2025.
We will be able to provide detailed information about the program from Monday, May 26th, after we familiarize ourselves with all related aspects and once the usual Q&A is published by KEPA-ANEM, which will act as the Intermediate Managing Authority for this action.
Implementation Area:
Region of Central Macedonia.
Eligible Expenses:
I. Buildings, facilities, and surrounding space.
II. Purchase and installation of new, modern machinery and equipment/software essential to business operation and activity.
III. Certification of products, services, and processes in accordance with national, harmonized, or optional international standards (including non-EU destination country standards).
IV. Acquisition or exclusive licensing of registered patents from Greece or abroad / patent registration.
Additionally funded:
a) studies,
b) promotional activities,
c) transportation means,
d) consulting services,
e) participation in trade fairs,
f) indirect costs.
Budget:
€60,000,000
KEY TO PROGRESS: INNOVATION, EXTROVERSION & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL MACEDONIA (for existing businesses)
This program targets existing medium, small, and micro-enterprises active in specific sectors of manufacturing, tourism, retail/wholesale trade, and service provision.
Funding applications ranging from €25,000 to €500,000 are supported, with public funding covering up to 50% of the proposed investment budget.
Grants will be awarded under the De Minimis Regulation.
Evaluation will be competitive.
The detailed call outlines all necessary information (eligibility criteria, documentation, budgets, application procedures, evaluation process, eligible expenses, monitoring and implementation procedures, long-term obligations, etc.).
Eligible Applicants:
Existing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as defined in ANNEX VI: “SME Definition & Declaration Template” of the call.
Applicants must implement an investment plan related to a business activity (NACE code) that was significantly active during the last closed financial year (primary or highest-grossing NACE code per 2024 tax return E3), and which must be listed in ANNEX II: “Eligible Activity Sectors (NACE)” of the call.
“Existing” businesses are those established before January 1st, 2023.
Application Period:
From May 20th, 2025 to August 11th, 2025.
We will be able to provide detailed information about the program from Monday, May 26th, once we become fully acquainted with its requirements and once KEPA-ANEM publishes the related Q&A as the designated Intermediate Managing Authority.
Implementation Area:
Region of Central Macedonia.
Eligible Expenses:
I. Buildings, facilities, and surrounding space.
II. Purchase and installation of new, modern machinery and equipment/software essential to business operation and activity.
III. Certification of products, services, and processes in accordance with national, harmonized, or optional international standards (including non-EU destination country standards).
IV. Acquisition or exclusive licensing of registered patents from Greece or abroad / patent registration.
Additionally funded:
a) studies,
b) promotional activities,
c) transportation means,
d) consulting services,
e) participation in trade fairs,
f) indirect costs.
Budget:
€140,000,000
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AGED 30–59 (with emphasis on women) – via DYPA
As previously mentioned, the results of this program were recently announced, and we are currently contacting our beneficiary clients via phone and email to clearly outline the next steps.
Our office submitted 31 proposals, of which 23 were approved, 3 were approved but not funded due to scoring below the competitive threshold, and 5 were rejected for various reasons.
Our approval rate as a consultancy was 74.2%, compared to the national average of 68.5%.
Importantly, as is customary, the State increased the funding allocation significantly to prevent very low approval rates.
By Sunday, May 11th, we will submit objections for all 8 remaining cases, aiming to secure inclusion in the program even at a later stage for as many as possible.
The appeal review period is from May 15th until the end of May, followed by the final results for currently unfunded or rejected applicants.
SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR NEW & EXISTING GRADUATE PROFESSIONALS
According to the NSRF planning since September 2024, a support program was scheduled for launch during the last quarter of 2024, targeting new and existing university graduate professionals.
Unfortunately, no such call has been announced yet, though it is expected that DYPA will be the managing authority.
We are monitoring the situation closely and will inform you in detail as soon as there is an official announcement.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information regarding the above development programs.
We would be happy to assist you.