Introduction

With the publication of the ministerial decision titled “Determination of the details of operation and implementation of Intervention P3-73-2.3” on February 28τη, 2025, the legal framework for the highly anticipated intervention comes into effect. This decision marks the first significant step toward its implementation and paves the way for its immediate announcement, which is expected to be published very soon. The public funding allocated to beneficiaries amounts to 135.000.000€ and is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Public Investment Development Program (PIDP).

The aim of the intervention is to enhance the added value of products, address the country’s demand for high-quality processed goods, and improve the ability to enter international markets. This will be accomplished by utilizing raw materials from primary production, incorporating innovation, and developing methods and processes aimed at environmental protection to mitigate the effects of climate change. A key focus of supporting investments is ensuring job preservation and creation, contributing to social stability and economic growth at both local and national levels, while also safeguarding human health.

Eligible Businesses & Participation Conditions

The beneficiaries of the Intervention are micro, small, and large enterprises primarily engaged in the processing of agricultural products (both as raw materials and final products) that fall under Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, where the final product is agricultural. Any business that is required to maintain financial records under categories B or C is eligible, with the exception of businesses operating as partnerships, civil law companies, or joint ventures.

Eligible applications for support include those that meet the following conditions:

• Applications submitted by non-problematic enterprises
• Applications submitted by entities for which no decision has been issued regarding violations of obligations arising from their participation in previous co-financed or non-co-financed programs, and no proof of payment of the levied amount has been provided
• Applications that concern viable investments
• Applications that concern investments at the wholesale trade level
• Applications that concern investments that have not been physically completed or fully implemented before submission, regardless of whether all payments have been made by the beneficiary
• Applications for the processing of non-genetically modified products (excluding animal feed)
• Applications submitted by beneficiaries of Submeasure 4.2 of Measure 4 of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Program (RDP), provided that by the date of finalization of the support application in the iSAMIS. system, the approved eligible physical and financial content of the support application implemented by the beneficiary under Submeasure 4.2 has been completed, and the control request for the payment of the final tranche of the approved public funding has been finalized in the iSAMIS system.

Type and Amount of Support

The budget for support applications can range from 400.001€ to 5.000.000€

The support intensity is determined as follows:

• Small Aegean Islands: 75%
• Ionian Islands, Crete, Thessaly, as well as mainland areas included in the Fair Development Transition Plans (SDAM) (areas of de-lignification): 65%
• Peloponnese, Western Greece, Central Greece, Epirus, Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: 50%
• Attica Region: 40%

For investment costs aimed at reducing energy and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste, a percentage increase of the support intensity by 10% is provided, subject to conditions to be determined within the scope of the intervention.

Eligible Sectors and Actions

Applications for support are eligible if submitted by beneficiaries involved in the processing/production of agricultural products (raw materials and final products) from the following sectors: Meat (goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry, rabbits), Dairy, Eggs, Honey, Animal Feed, Cereals, Oilseed Products, Fruits and Vegetables, Wine, Vinegar, Flowers, Silk Cocoon Reeling, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Seeds & Propagation Material.

The Intervention finances the establishment, modernization, expansion, relocation, merger, and management of by-products in agricultural product production and storage units, taking into account the Common Market Organization and other developmental programs. In modernization of inorganic complementary animal feed units, capacity expansion cannot exceed 20%, and registration or approval under Ministerial Decision 340668/2008 is required. Relocations and mergers must be accompanied by modernization, and beneficiaries relocating must definitively cease the operation of their old facilities.

Selection Criteria

Investment projects will be selected based on specific criteria aimed at promoting sustainable development, regional cohesion, and transition to a greener economy. The key principles and priorities include:

• Regional Support: Priority will be given to businesses operating in mainland areas included in the Fair Development Transition Plans (SDAM), areas affected by natural disasters due to climate change (floods, wildfires), and island areas with populations of up to 3,100 inhabitants.
• Sustainability and Environmental Protection:
• Processing of raw materials from contract farming.
• Reduction of carbon footprint and promotion of climate neutrality.
• Production of quality products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
• Contribution to environmental protection through energy conservation and use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
• Water conservation.
• Innovation and Competitiveness: Priority will be given to businesses that implement innovative solutions and integrate new technologies into their operations. Additionally, the evaluation process will assess the investment plan’s level of readiness for immediate implementation, ensuring that projects are well-structured and feasible. A key focus will also be on the extent to which the investment contributes to business growth beyond domestic markets, with an emphasis on enhancing international presence and increasing export activity.
• Social Impact and Employment: Ensuring job retention and fostering employment growth, particularly in regions with high unemployment rates. Aligning investments with labor market demands to create sustainable job opportunities, while reinforcing workforce expansion in key strategic sectors.
• Business Size

Eligible Expenses

1. Acquisition of Real Estate (land or buildings): The cost of acquiring land cannot exceed 10% of the total eligible budget of the support application.
2. Development of the surrounding area of the plot where the support application will be implemented.
3. Construction of new or improvement of existing building infrastructures.
4. Procurement, transportation, and installation of:
5. Processing, packaging, and cooling equipment / laboratory equipment necessary for the operation of the unit.
6. Renewable energy production equipment for the business’s energy needs (not as a standalone action but as part of the overall production investment).
7. Water-saving equipment (not as a standalone action but as part of the overall production investment).
8. Energy-saving equipment (not as a standalone action but as part of the overall production investment).
9. Waste treatment equipment (not as a standalone action but as part of the overall production investment).
10. Office and computer equipment, including telephone installations, intercom systems, computers, peripheral devices, photocopiers, facility security systems, fire protection and firefighting systems, etc.
11. Procurement of external transport means: Specifically, new vehicles for the transportation of special-type products, which, according to national legislation, are considered necessary for the operation of the investment to ensure the quality and hygiene of the product (both raw material and finished product/by-products). Examples include: trucks, bulk flour transport silos, isothermal tankers for milk transportation to packaging/processing sites, tankers for transporting olive pit waste and liquid waste from olive mills, refrigerated vehicles for wholesale product transport, vehicles for transporting animal by-products to inactivation units, in compliance with applicable legislation.
12. Procurement of internal transport means required for the investment, such as forklifts, hoists, etc.
13. Connection to electricity, water, telephone, and geothermal networks, provided these are done within the boundaries of the plot.
14. Acquisition of quality assurance certificates from relevant organizations (such as ISO, HACCP, BRC Global Standards, IFS Food Standard, GLOBALG.A.P.) applied at all stages of the food chain, from farm to shelf, ensuring the quality and safety of the food consumed by the consumer.
15. General expenses related to the facilities and equipment of the unit, such as fees for architects, engineers, and consultants, fees for advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility study costs.
16. Intangible expenses such as the acquisition or development of software, obtaining patents, licenses, intellectual property rights, trademarks, and creating a recognizable product label/brand, conducting market research to shape the product image.

The total of the general and intangible expenses does not exceed 10% of the requested budget. The consultant’s fee for drafting and monitoring the application is determined as a percentage of the budget, with maximum limits of 3% for amounts between 400.001€ and 2.000.000€ and 2% for the additional amount from 2.000.001€ to 5.000.000€

Submission and Evaluation of Funding Applications

Support applications are submitted electronically via the Integrated Information System for State Aid (iSAMIS) at www.opske.gr. Selection and inclusion of beneficiaries are based on comparative evaluation and scoring of each application. Applications that meet the eligibility criteria are scored according to the selection criteria set out in the intervention’s regulatory framework and ranked in strictly descending order. Applications that receive a score greater than or equal to the threshold for each category will be selected for support until the available funds are exhausted.

For further details on this specific program, other available funding opportunities, or any support related to the planning and implementation of your investment projects, please do not hesitate to contact us at 231 0 552000 or 210 9580000, or via email at [email protected].