The ESIF ERDF Guarantee Fund is an important financial tool for boosting the competitiveness and innovation of small and medium-sized businesses, job creation and business recovery. The aim of the Fund is to improve the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to investment financing, providing protection against possible losses through the guarantee of the European Investment Fund (EIF).

Budget

The guarantee capital of the Fund amounts to 100 million euros and with the leverage of the bank it will create portfolios of loans of Small and Medium Enterprises of over 500 million euros worth.  

The resources of the Fund are co-financed by National Resources and the European Union and in particular by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020.

Borrowers

New and existing SMEs of all sectors of the economy operating in Greece are eligible under the condition of compliance with the terms of the de minimis Regulation EU 1407/2013.

Types of Loans

New guaranteed, favorable investment loans as well as new special purpose working capital loans with the purpose of business development, low interest rate, reduced collateral and longer repayment period, which will allow Greek small and medium-sized enterprises to make investments that will enhance their competitiveness.

Maximum loan amount

The maximum loan amount is 1,875,000 euros, depending on the repayment period and subject to compliance with the terms of application of EU Regulation 1407/2013 de minimis.

The loans will be available for disbursement until 31.12.2023.

Guarantee Coverage

The guarantee covers 80% of the losses of each loan, with a maximum of 25% to cover the losses in the entire portfolio of each bank. The maximum warranty period is 10 years.

Fund Manager

The management of the ESIF ERDF Guarantee Fund is assigned to the European Investment Fund (EIF).

Submission

The requests of the companies are first submitted in the electronic platform www.ependyseis.gr After the finalization of the submission the unique code for each request is received. The prospective borrowers then submit their funding applications and physical file for evaluation to the cooperating Banks.

Cooperating banks

• Piraeus Bank
• National Banκ of Greece 
• Eurobank
• Attica Bank
• ProCredit Bank

Information:

• In the cooperating Banks: Piraeus Bank, National Banκ of Greece, Eurobank, Attica Bank, ProCredit Bank

• On the websites: www.antagonistikotita.gr, www.espa.gr

• At the EPAnEK Information Office: 8 Dragatsaniou Street, in the center of Athens.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10.00 am. to 2.00 pm.

Information by calling   801 11 36 300, from a household line, with a local phone charge,  from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm

Email: infoepan@mou.gr