With the impressive participation of 1,301 small and very small enterprises of various legal forms, the application process for the productive investment support program, with a total budget of €120.2 million, has been completed. «Attiki On – Activating Business – Strength in Development – Support for Entrepreneurship,» which is being implemented as part of the «Attica» Program 2021-2027.
Already, 406 investment projects, with a total budget of €38 million, have been approved, with the beneficiary companies moving directly into the implementation phase. The action is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national resources, with ELANET (EFEPAE) as the intermediate managing body and fully secured financing for the approved investment projects.
By the end of January 2026, the evaluation will be completed and the overall results of the approvals will be published, so that the available budget can be fully activated for the benefit of small and micro-enterprises in the Athens Basin.
Speed, transparency, and parallel evaluation
The speed with which all phases of the program proceeded is particularly important. From the publication of the call for proposals to the present day, the procedures for submission, eligibility checks, evaluation, and issuance of integration decisions have been carried out in parallel, with the aim of not wasting valuable time for companies investing in modernization and adaptation.
The Region of Attica, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy and Finance and the relevant authorities, has ensured a framework for operation with clear criteria, transparency, and rapid processing, so that the program will have an immediate impact on the real economy, with new investments, new jobs, and upgrading the productive base of Attica.
Strong participation of manufacturing – Support for small and micro enterprises
Based on the data available to date, it appears that:
– 53% of applications come from very small enterprises (up to 9 employees),
– while 47% concerns small enterprises (more than 9 employees).
With regard to business activity:
– 63% of applications were submitted by manufacturing companies,
– 30% from general service companies (research and development, transportation, industrial design, etc.),
– while 7% concerns tourism businesses.
These figures confirm that the Attiki On program responds to the real needs of Attica's productive fabric, placing emphasis where the heart of small and micro-enterprises beats.
Alliance with Chambers of Commerce and productive bodies
The invitation from Attiki On was the result of systematic, substantive consultation with the largest chambers of commerce and productive bodies in Attica, which began in early March. The initiative was designed to respond to the real needs of the market, with simple, transparent, and accessible procedures, with the available budget being used where it is really needed, i.e., in small and very small production units.
This close cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce and productive bodies will continue in the next phase of implementation, with the aim of ensuring the timely and efficient implementation of investment plans and the maximum possible utilization of the resources of the «Attica» Program 2021-2027.
It is worth noting that, in this regard, the Region has already published a call for proposals for the support and subsidization of social enterprises (K.A.L.O.) in Attica, with a total budget of €5 million from European Social Fund (ESF+) resources, while calls for proposals for the following actions are in the planning stage for the first half of 2026From the European Social Fund (ESF+), while calls for the following actions are in the planning process for the first half of 2026:
─«Research and Innovation Partnerships in Attica,»,
─«Creation of new jobs (NJE) for unemployed people in RIS3 strategy companies» and
─«Supporting business adaptation to integrate technologies that promote digital transformation»
Following the completion of the submission of proposals by businesses, the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, stated:
«Attiki On“ proves that when there is planning, consistency, and cooperation, we can move quickly and, above all, effectively. When we presented it, we committed that it would not be just another program on paper, but a tool that would reach small and very small businesses in Attica directly and safely. Today, within a few months, we already have 1,301 applications, 406 approved investment projects, and an evaluation process that is progressing in record time, with all phases running in parallel.
Funding is fully secured, the first companies are already starting to implement their investment plans, and by the end of January we will have the overall results of the approvals.We are investing in innovation, resilience, extroversion, and sustainable development, supporting companies in modernizing, reducing their environmental footprint, and creating new, high-quality jobs.
Supporting business in Attica is not simply a regional strategy. It is a national necessity. Attica generates almost half of the country's GDP and the highest level of employment, accounting for over 50% of business activity. If Attica moves forward, the whole of Greece moves forward. With planning, consistency, and cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce and productive bodies, we are putting this strategy into practice—giving real power to growth and substantial support to entrepreneurship. We remain steadfastly committed to healthy entrepreneurship, so that we can be useful and support in every way the struggle for the growth and prosperity of our country.
