Greece: €20 million from the NSRF for training workers in defence and STEP technologies, and which companies can take part

An action with total public expenditure of €20 million for in-company training of employees in Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) and in the fields of defence and security is being published by decision of Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, under the “Competitiveness” programme of the 2021-2027 National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF, known in Greece as ESPA), according to a ministry announcement on Wednesday, October 14.

Who can take part

Existing companies that employ 100 or more people, hold an eligible main or secondary activity code (KAD) and are active in, or demonstrate a clear operational and strategic orientation toward, STEP technologies or defence and security can participate.

Funding

Business plans with a subsidised budget of €150,000 to €1,200,000 are supported. Public funding covers 50% of costs, with the aid ranging from €75,000 to €600,000.

Eligible training

Eligible training subjects can concern digital and deep technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies, biotechnologies and health technologies. The defence strand includes defence technologies, cyber defence, information security, defence and space systems, dual-use technologies, certifications and defence support.

According to the ministry, the funding is an incentive for companies that invest systematically in their human resources, so that they introduce or strengthen training activities in the new sectors. A key condition is that they increase or maintain their total spending on training. The stated aim is for companies to develop specialised skills in fields that shape the future of the European economy and Europe’s strategic autonomy, while creating new specialised jobs.

How to apply

A Business Training Plan (ΕΣΚ) is a required supporting document for submission. It must demonstrate the company’s relevance to STEP technologies or to defence and security, analyse employees’ skills needs and their link to the production and technological operation, and include an overall training plan with expected results and indicators.

Applications are evaluated on a first-in, first-out basis, until the budget is exhausted per region category and priority, and up to December 31, 2026. The call has been posted on the Diavgeia transparency portal and on the websites of the “Competitiveness” programme, the NSRF and the Special Service for the Management of Programmes (ΕΦΕΠΑΕ). The projects are funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and by national resources.

The action comes at a time when the Greek defence industry is opening up to international cooperation, such as the prospect of co-producing the LORA missile with IAI and the joint production of defence systems with Germany that Dendias and Pistorius discussed.