The submission period for the new ESPA 2021–2027 program "Παράγουμε στην Ελλάδα" has begun, which constitutes an important funding opportunity for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in our country that are active in the manufacturing sector.
With a total budget of 50,000,000€, the action aims to enhance the sustainable development and competitiveness of SMEs, create jobs and strengthen the country's productive base.
Main characteristics of the program
The program is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises active in manufacturing and at eligible Business Activity Codes of the call.
Summary:
- Beneficiaries: Small, very small and medium sized businesses
- Subsidized budget: from 100.000€ to 400.000€
- Public funding percentage: up to 50%, with possibility of up to 55% through a fast implementation bonus
- Maximum funding limit: 200.000€ or up to 220.000€ through fast implementation bonus
- Target industry: Manufacturing/Processing Industry
The action focuses on manufacturing sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and materials, chemicals and plastics, basic metals, electronics, electrical equipment, industrial machinery, transportation equipment, food, beverages and consumer industrial products.
Applications submission period
The duration of submitting applications for funding from this specific program is approximately 2 months, with the start date for electronic submission of funding applications to the Integrated State Aid Information System on Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 15:00 and with a closing date on Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 15:00.
Main areas eligible to receive funding from the ESPA program
The call organizes eligible costs into basic categories related to the modernization of the business and the improvement of its competitiveness.
- Production modernization: Expenditure on production and mechanical equipment, means of transport & instruments
- Technological upgrade: Adoption of advanced technologies, procurement and use of software and digital systems in the production process
- Certifications and quality: Obtaining quality certifications and compliance of products and processes with international standards
- Design, display, promotion and branding: Product redesign, design/packaging improvement and branding development
- Hiring of personnel: Covering personnel salary costs
Eligible expenses and funding for quality and certification
Among the eligible funding categories, several services related to certification and regulatory compliance are listed.
Funding for product certification
Specifically, the call for action refers to the possibility of certifying and conforming products according to national, harmonized and optional standards of European countries and/or countries outside the EU. In practice, this category allows businesses to utilize consulting services and carry out quality tests and control tests on their products to ensure quality or to register specialized brands as well as relevant industrial controls.
Funding for processes and services certification
The program provides for the certification of the company’s services and procedures in accordance with national and international standards as an eligible expense. Small and medium-sized enterprises have the opportunity to utilize this expense category for the development, installation and certification of management systems in their organization, thus unlocking an asset that significantly increases their competitiveness and facilitates extroversion, cooperation with foreign companies and larger enterprises, as well as their participation in public tenders for the provision of products and services.
The most common management systems for small and medium-sized enterprises are the ISO 9001 quality management system, the ISO 14001 environmental management system and the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety system. In practice, if you aim to adopt and certify an ISO management system for your business, this specific NSRF program is a good opportunity to implement this action, at no additional cost to the business.
How many certifications can be funded by the program
For the product certification and service/process certification categories, the program provides for a specific upper limit for each business.
In particular:
- up to 3 certificates in total
- up to 3.000€ per certificate
The invitation clarifies that the first/initial certification is eligible and not the renewal of an existing certification of a company.
For the disbursement of the amount for eligible certification costs, it is necessary for the company to submit the relevant certificate, which must have been issued by an Accredited Body, as well as the results of any relevant tests and inspections.
How Ergocert can help your business as a certification body
Ergocert Hellas can support you in the technical-regulatory aspect of the investment, as we undertake the conduct of industrial audits, the certification of industrial equipment (lifting machines, air handlers, steam boilers, etc.) and the certification of ISO systems.
Our organization, after conducting the audit and following a positive evaluation, issues the Certificate or Audit Attestation and provides you with the necessary supporting documents to enable the business to disburse the amount of eligible relevant expenses.
Contact out team for any additional information.
