Improved Second Business Opportunity Program for 3,000 unemployed with emphasis on digital economy and women.

In the context of the continuous evaluation and improvement of all the programs of the Organization, the Management of OAED proceeded to the redesign of the "Second Business Opportunity Program", which had covered only 2,000 of the 5,000 available positions over a period of 22 months. The purpose of the program is to give a second chance to those who have stopped their business, to start a new business and to re-enter the labor market.

The grant lasts 12 months, with a 3-month commitment and the amount of the grant ranges from € 12,000 for an individual business, to € 24,000 for a business with three eligible partners. Upon application, after the completion of the 3-month commitment, the duration can be extended by 12 months and the total amount of the grant will range from € 20,000 to € 36,000. Specifically, with a decision on 15/12/2021 of the Board of Directors of the Organization, the following changes were approved so that the program becomes more flexible, attractive and efficient and the remaining 3,000 positions are absorbed faster:

At least 40% of positions will be filled by unemployed women

Digital economy companies will receive 40% extra points

The beneficiaries are expanded, as the period when they must have ceased their business activity has been extended by more than 2 years from 1/1 / 2012-6 / 8/2018 which was valid to 1/1 / 2012-31 / 10/2020

More flexible housing incubators (business incubators), coworkingspaces and other structures to support entrepreneurship, as well as in-house operation for digital businesses.

Disabled and female victims of gender and domestic violence will receive 60% extra points.

Beneficiaries are registered unemployed who meet all the following conditions:

have ceased business activity from 1/1/2012 to 31/10/2020
have not transferred their business or share to a company owned by spouses or persons of first or second degree kinship

Those who owe insurance contributions related to a previous business activity and have not been subject to a regulatory regime, obtain insurance information according to the provisions of article 40 of law 4578/2018, which they submit after their inclusion in the program and remain informed throughout duration of the program, provided that they are consistent with their current insurance obligations.

From the amount of the grant that the members of the program are entitled to, a percentage of 25% is withheld by OAED, which returns it to EFKA in exchange for the repayment of their debts.

Duration and amount of the grant

The duration of the grant is set at twelve (12) months. After the end of the twelve months the beneficiaries are committed to maintaining their businesses for others three (3) months.

The grant amount is defined as follows:

a) up to 12,000€ to sole proprietorships b) up to € 9,000 per partner when it is 2 and c) up to € 8,000 per partner when there are three.

Amounts per category are paid to beneficiaries at three doses as follows:

the First installment, height up to € 4,000 of the case a) and up to € 3,000 of cases b) and c) paid after the issuance of the affiliation decision,
the second dose, height up to € 4,000 of the case a) and up to € 3,000 per person of cases b) and c), is paid after the end of the first half of the year of affiliation and after at least one on-the-spot check has been carried out in the interim, during which the normal operation of the company is established and
the third dose, height up to € 4,000 of the case a), up to € 3,000 for each beneficiary of the case b) and to two thousand (2.000) Euros for each beneficiary of the case c), is paid after the end of the six-month period from the affiliation and after at least one on-the-spot check is carried out in the intermediate period, during which the normal operation of the company is ascertained.

Individual entrepreneurs / entrepreneurs (sole proprietors) and members of legal entities may apply, before the end of the three-month commitment, for an extension of the grant period for an additional twelve (12) months, which begins after the 15-month program period (grant and commitment).

The grant amount for the twelve (12) months of the extension of the program, is defined up to € 8,000 for sole proprietorships, up to € 5,000 per member for 2 members legal entities and up to € 4,000 ato be a member for 3 members of legal entities. These amounts are paid in two installments to the beneficiaries.

RATING CRITERIA

Each submission is reviewed and graded by the evaluation committee with the following criteria:

Completeness of the application
Business plan
Relevance and adequacy of the beneficiary with the proposed business activity.
Economic and technical adequacy of the business plan
Existence of networking elements
Relevance of business activity in areas identified by the Smart Skills Strategy (RIS)

ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE

Operating expenses (business premises rent, energy costs, fixed and mobile business telephony, water supply, heating, other common expenses).
Expenses for third party fees (legal, consulting, accounting support, drafting and monitoring of a business plan, vocational training costs, subscriptions to scientific journals / newspapers / databases / scientific web sites, costs of attending conferences / seminars).
Expenses for promotion, networking of the new business activity and participation in exhibitions.
Supply of consumables.
Beneficiary insurance contributions (businessman - partner).
Unpaid Insurance contributions of the beneficiary (businessman - partner).
Salary costs for new position (s).
Depreciation of fixed assets.