The Public Employment Service of Greece is preparing the launch of a new financial support program with a total budget of €37 million,aimed at supporting unemployed young people aged 18–29 who wish to establish and operate new small and medium-sized enterprises.The official call for applications is expected by the end of January 2026, while the exact opening and closing dates for submissions will be announced through the formal public call..

What the Program Includes

The program aims to:

• promote self-employment among young people,

• support the creation of sustainable new businesses,

• place particular emphasis on unemployed women, and

• encourage entrepreneurial activities in the digital and green economy sectors.

The duration of the program is 12 months, with a total grant of €17,500 per business, paid in three installments based on the operation and sustainability of the enterprise:

• 1st installment: €4,700 upon commencement of business activity

• 2nd installment: €6,400 after six months of operation, subject to on-site verification

• 3rd installment: €6,400 after twelve months of continuous operation, following a second verification

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Eligible applicants are individuals who:

• are unemployed and aged between 18 and 29,,

• are officially registered as unemployed with the Greek Public Employment Service,

• are not employed, not enrolled in education, and not participating in training programs, and

• submit a business plan as part of their funding application.

Funding Framework

The program is co-financed by the Greek State and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), under the framework of the 2021–2027 National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF / ESPA).

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How AFS Can Support You

AFS AFS provides comprehensive consulting services throughout the entire process, including:

• preparation of business plans tailored to the program requirements,

• guidance on the completion and submission of the application through the official state aid platform, ,

• full management of the application file, and,

• ongoing monitoring of the project until the final grant installment is received.

With extensive experience in grant programs and business support schemes, the AFS team helps applicants maximize their chances of approval and effectively leverage the funding to successfully launch and grow their business.