1. Best Practices Presentation SEPVE The Programme is co-funded by the European Union (ERDF) and National Funds of Greece and Bulgaria

2.  Introduction  Methodology  Presenting Best Practices  Locating Best Practices  Best Practices of Programmes  Best Practices of Projects

3. Exchange of best practices is a very important technique in all Territorial Cooperation projects. It is cornerstone for the transfer of know-how among partners. SEPVE as all project partners, was required to present Best Practices (BPs), in its field of expertise and especially has to present BPs on usage of ICT tools in SME operation

4.  The elaboration of this deliverable was based on the common methodology realized in the framework of this project.  Specific criteria were followed according to the methodology: ◦ The ICT tools used are “best sellers” in their field ◦ The technology used is “cutting edge” ◦ The ICT tools used provided solutions in specific fields, thus contributing to the efficient operation of the organization

5. Best practices of programmes:  Budget and financing,  Type & number of beneficiaries,  Types of projects financed,  Special characteristics,  Results

6. Best practices of projects:  Cost of project, sources of financing,  Beneficiary,  Description of the investment,  Special characteristics,  Benefits for the beneficiary and economy in general (local, regional or national)

7. 1. Research among SEPVE’s members for good projects which have implemented in various fields of SME operation 2. Research on International bibliography for mainstream ICT tools 3. Research (on site & internet) on Managing Authorities (MAs) and Intermediate Bodies (IBs) dealing with the management of EU funded Programs focusing on the adoption of ICT tools by SMEs Specifically, OP “Information Society” during the period of 3 rd CSF (2000-2006) and OP “Digital Convergence” during the period of NSRF (2007-2013) can be good sources for finding best practices.

8.  “Digi-Mobile”  “Digi-Content”  “Digi-Retail”  “Digi-Lodge”  “E-Security”  “Egnatia Informatics”  “Digital Future”

9.  The action supported Greek enterprises to develop Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in order to exploit innovative applications on “smart” mobile devices and tablet PCs, and to make good use of the international potential and gain access to new target groups. It is funded by the intermediate body “Digital Aid S.A.” within the framework of the “ Digital Convergence” Operational Programme (OP-DC) of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007 – 2013 (NRSF 2007 – 2013).  The total aid allocated for the action was 15.000.000€ for all Greek regions.  Many Greek companies, benefited by the programme, already provide integrated services : ◦ Hotel mobile applications ◦ E-shop mobile applications ◦ News mobile applications ◦ Food delivery mobile applications, and ◦ Custom mobile applications

10.  The action supported Greek enterprises to develop Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in order to implement investment plans on digital broadband content. It is funded by the intermediate body “Digital Aid S.A.” within the framework of the “ Digital Convergence” Operational Programme (OP-DC) of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007 – 2013 (NRSF 2007 – 2013).  The total aid allocated for the action was 40.000.000€ for all Greek regions.  Indicative examples of approved investment plans: educational books distribution via smart phones & internet, digital promotion of cultural content via smart phones & social media, newspapers and books disposal via specialized smart phones and tablet-PCs applications, broadband services on visual content distribution, on demand.  Till 16/09/2011 “Digital Governance S.A.” approved 213 investment plans throughout Greece, which have been evaluated successfully.

11.  The action supported Greek retail enterprises to develop Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in order to implement investment plans on general digital investments and so they can make good use of new technology tools for their development and cope with the negative effects of the current financial crisis and with any consumer’s behavioral changes because of it. It is funded by the intermediate body “Digital Aid S.A.” within the framework of the “ Digital Convergence” Operational Programme (OP-DC) of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007 – 2013 (NRSF 2007 – 2013).  The total aid allocated for the action was 100.000.000€ for all Greek regions.  1.683 investment plans were approved under the action reaching the total budget of € 76,73 mil

12.  The action supports Greek hotel sector to develop Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), in order to establish promotion websites and online reservation systems. It is funded by the intermediate body “Digital Aid S.A.” within the framework of the “ Digital Convergence” Operational Programme (OP-DC) of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007 – 2013 (NRSF 2007 – 2013).  The total aid allocated for the action was 75.000.000€ for all Greek regions.  The total submission were 2.829 from which 2.143 were approved with total investment amount about € 32,19 mil

13.  The action supported businesses to develop Information and Communication Technologies, in order to implement internet security investments. It was funded by the intermediate body “Digital Aid S.A.” within the framework of the “ Digital Convergence” Operational Programme (OP-DC) of the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007 – 2013  The total budget for the action “E-Security” was € 15.000.000 for all Greek regions  E-Security supported 664 enterprises develop investment plans on internet safety amounting to € 14,7 mil., 553 enterprises fully completed their investments and 92% of them have already received the total requested aid

14.  “Egnatia Informatics” was an initiative developed by the “Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern Greece” (SEPVE) to the “Ministry of Finance” and the “Regional Administrations” of Northern Greece, in 2001. The action targeted to enhance the Northern Greek SME Information Technology Companies, located across the historical “Egnatia Highway”, in order to remain competitive and promote new technologies and sustainable growth in the wider region.  The action “Egnatia Informatics” benefited enterprises belonging to the ICT sector with public aid from which 30% came from National Funds and the rest 70% from ERDF. The total initial available public aid was set to € 4.5 mil.  Companies’ participation in the action “Egnatia Informatics” was wide and exceeded the initial expectations. This fact resulted to refinance and expand the budget of the action three times following SEPVE’s indications, in order to meet the needs of the market

15.  “Digital Future” was an action designated to enhance SMEs in Greece develop ICT investments. The action was funded by the Information Society Operational Program (OP-IS) under the objective 3.2. “Enhance Greek enterprises enter digital economy. The aim was to promote the use of ICT in Greek enterprises (especially SMEs), to develop new digital products – services and to develop digital content for high-speed networks.  Initially, the total budget for the action “Digital Future” was set to € 16.000.000  786 investment plan proposals were accepted to participate in the action “Digital Future”, from 941 that were submitted initially.

16.  SMEs beneficiaries of funding programmes

17. Investment description Funding program:Companies’ Extroversion – Competitiveness Investment implementation Length: 07/09/2011-07/03/2013 Total budget:€ 105.047,00 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 36.766,45 (35%) Investment description Funding program: Digital Future - Information Society Operational Program Investment implementation length: 27/12/2007-27/12/2008 Total budget:€ 102.573,50 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 46.158,08 (45%) infrastructure, equipment, applications, services and promotional actions

18.  SMEs beneficiaries of funding programmes Investment description Funding program:Entrepreneurship & Competitiveness Investment plan title: The manufacturing process under current circumstances Investment implementation Length: 01/09/2011 - Today Total budget:€ 105.047,00 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 36.766,45 (35%) Investment description Funding program:E-security Investment plan title: Development of a Customer service management platform Investment implementation Length: 21/01/2009 - today Total budget:€ 50.000,00 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 24.000,00 (50%) Development of software, Interactive information services, Online applications & services

19.  SMEs beneficiaries of funding programmes Investment description Funding program:FP7 - ICT 2011 Investment plan title: Dexterous Assembler Robot Working with embodied Intelligence (DARWIN) Investment implementation Length: 4 years Total budget:€ 434.000 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 326.000 (75%) Investment description Funding program:Egnatia Informatics Investment plan title: Combined innovation/ entrepreneurship development Investment implementation Length: 10/03/2009 – 30/06/2010 Total budget:€ 152.948,32 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 76.474,16 (50%) Development of a software framework and methodologies of artificial intelligence, able to assemble unidentified parts and items Development of an innovative Management Control System

20.  SMEs beneficiaries of funding programmes Investment description Funding program:E-services Investment implementation length: 4/12/2008-2009 Total budget:€ 38.100,00 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 22.860,00 (60%) Investment description Funding program:Egatia Informatics Investment implementation length: 11/3/2008-6/3/2009 Total budget:€ 132.950,00 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 66.475,00 (50%) Active learning service, Application Platform, equipment & building infrastructures, promotional actions

21.  SMEs beneficiaries of funding programmes Investment description Funding program:E-services Investment plan title: Development of an integrated agricultural practice solution platform Investment implementation Length: 3/01/2009 – 1/04/2009 Total budget:€ 30.740 Amount of aid (percentage):€ 28.100 (60%) Development of Quality System services on agricultural production & Interactive information services on food safety

22. Thank you for your attention!