The Enterprise Support Mechanism offers a series of free services to businesses that will join the action
Business information services
Information services refer to value-added support services provided through in-depth information to any enterprise or potential entrepreneur and in general to any interested party addressed to the Enterprise Support Mechanism of the JTD regions.
The offices of the Mechanism will have a sufficient number of staff responsible for the reception of interested enterprises/investors. They will be available during the entire operating hours of the Mechanism (public reception hours), i.e. from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on working days (Monday - Friday). When receiving entrepreneurs and communicating with them, the staff will ensure:
- The prompt provision of information on how the Support Mechanism operates and the services provided, in particular:
- Information Material on all horizontal services.
- Information Material for the whole range of personalised counselling services.
- The provision of guidance and instructions on the ESM web portal and on the appropriate information material according to the needs of each enterprise.
- The immediate provision of appropriate information material and relevant tools to businesses visiting the ESM premises according to their specific needs.
- The continuous monitoring and immediate response to enterprises that have contacted the Support Mechanism.
In order to provide horizontal support to interested companies in developing a new business idea or in improving/changing the existing business activity, the Contractor will offer the following:
- Provision of industry and competition data: Sectoral market data and competition insights from the studies to be carried out by the Enterprise Support Mechanism will be provided, as appropriate.
- Other information material: Lists of competent services/agencies for the handling of various administrative matters of enterprises, Lists of collective bodies, Lists of domestic potential partners/customers/suppliers for specific target markets
- Information material on business support schemes and actions in force
- Information material on alternative financing instruments
- Information on other entrepreneurship support structures developed and operating in the area of interest
In order to monitor the implementation of the Just Transition Development, a series of studies and surveys will be carried out on the situation and developments in the business environment of the areas of interest of the Enterprise Mechanism in the Regions of Western Macedonia and Peloponnese, with emphasis on the areas of the Just Transition.
The information material available will be categorised as follows:
- issues of business activity and developments in the local economy
- summary reports on field surveys concerning the needs of existing enterprises and entrepreneurship opportunities in the JDT regions
- specific entrepreneurship issues in the JDT regions
Part of the information material will be based on the ad hoc studies to be carried out in the framework of the project, and in addition, summary guides on various entrepreneurship issues will be provided.
Towards the development of networking and cooperation actions among enterprises that will come into contact with the Mechanism, it is crucial to understand the benefits to enterprises and the role of partnerships and networking. In this context, particular emphasis will be placed on information and awareness-raising actions for the business community through:
- Dissemination of information through the Enterprise Support Mechanism website
- Provision of information material on the opportunities and benefits of partnerships
- Provision of information material for the development of exports
The provision of information to interested enterprises and potential investors in the Just Transition Development areas will be provided through training programmes under the auspices of the Business Support Mechanism. Indicatively, open online seminars will be provided through the Mechanism to stakeholders on the synthesis of key concepts and the general content of the horizontal services provided.
To download the relevant material / tools click here
Personalised advisory services
The personalised services will relate to standard services to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, extroversion and networking and integration of enterprises in value chains and will be specific to each enterprise concerned, following a study of its specific characteristics and features.
The Business Plan is the guide - roadmap of a business and describes specific actions to achieve defined business objectives, taking into account the financial performance of a business.
The specialized consultants of the ESM in direct cooperation with the company will prepare a comprehensive business plan tailored to the needs and objectives of the beneficiary company (e.g. development of a new product, use for obtaining a loan, new investment, etc.), in order to define the business directions and the strategic axes of operation on which the company will move in the near future.
Have you already developed your business plan? The business plan evaluation action concerns enterprises that have already developed a business plan and the Mechanism is invited to provide evaluation services and suggestions for improvement. The staff of the Mechanism in cooperation with the enterprise will evaluate the business plan focusing on issues such as completeness, maturity, realism of implementation, innovative character, exploitation of comparative advantages, while taking into account the objective of the business plan."
Do you want to know better the characteristics of the market in which you operate or want to operate? ESM will provide you with specialized information on the conditions, developments and trends of the market of interest.
Do you want to increase your sales or strengthen your market position? ESM Consultants will develop a marketing plan for your business taking into account the specific needs and objectives of your business.
Is your business facing operational or organizational problems? ESM's experienced Consultants will support and guide you to adopt a new, improved, functional and organizational structure or redesign the existing one to effectively adapt to changes in both the internal environment of the business and the general economic and business environment.
Do you consider that your business is not sufficiently extroverted or you want to reach a new target market? With the offered services your company will be able to form new partnerships, to search for customers and to understand the requirements both in terms of processes and the required certifications of specific target markets."
This action is expected to enable the networking of an interested company through contacts with other companies, using digital technology to provide solutions in cases where the absence of face-to-face and close commercial contacts may hinder potential synergies. This action also includes proposals for synergies (value chains, clusters, etc.).
For those businesses that meet the requirements and are selected for support, a diagnostic needs assessment will be carried out in order to finalise the services they will receive on the basis of their application for support and their actual needs.
As part of the support, interviews and cooperation meetings will be held with representatives and executives of the enterprise and data and additional information will be sought from the enterprise itself.
The services are provided as indirect support under the de minimis regulation (aid of "minor importance"). De minimis aid refers to small amounts of state aid granted to economic operators (businesses) that do not need to be notified to the European Commission by EU member states. The maximum amount is €300,000 per business over a period of three years.
Submission of an application
The Enterprise Support Mechanism announces the launch of the action for the provision of personalized Consulting Services to businesses in the eligible areas (Region of Western Macedonia, in Megalopolis and the Municipalities of Tripoli, Gortynia and Oichalia). All enterprises, regardless of sector or economic activity, can participate in the action, provided that:
- They are active or intend to become active in the eligible areas of the JTD
- They have not received de minimis aid exceeding EUR 300 000 in the last three years.
To view the Call for Proposals click here
