New business funding opportunities in Karditsa and Thessaliotida, Greece, are available through the LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida Local Development Programme 2023–2027, under its first call for private investment, training and cooperation projects.
The call has a total public funding allocation of €2,954,400, with grant rates varying according to the relevant sub-intervention. Different subsidy rates apply to business investments, while higher funding rates are available for specific training and cooperation initiatives.
Η πρόσκληση διαθέτει συνολική δημόσια δαπάνη 2.954.400 ευρώ, ενώ τα ποσοστά ενίσχυσης διαμορφώνονται ανάλογα με την υποπαρέμβαση. Για τις βασικές επιχειρηματικές επενδύσεις προβλέπονται διαφορετικά ποσοστά επιχορήγησης, ενώ υψηλότερα ποσοστά ισχύουν για συγκεκριμένες δράσεις.
Application deadline: 15 December 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (Greek local time).
Which Areas Are Eligible for LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida Funding?
The programme covers the entire Karditsa Regional Unit, excluding the area within the approved town plan of the Municipal Community of Karditsa.
It also includes the Thessaliotida Municipal Unit of the Municipality of Domokos.
The eligible territory includes designated areas within the municipalities of Karditsa, Palamas, Sofades, Mouzaki, Lake Plastiras and Argithea, in accordance with the geographical boundaries established in the call.
Before preparing an investment proposal, applicants must confirm that the exact project location falls within the eligible intervention area.
Which Businesses Are Eligible?
The LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida 2026 programme supports a range of investment activities designed to strengthen the local economy and encourage business development.
The main eligible sectors include:
- Agricultural product processing, including the establishment or modernisation of production facilities.
- Non-agricultural product processing, subject to the eligible activities specified in the call.
- Forestry-related businesses, including eligible investments in forestry processing facilities.
- Crafts and small-scale manufacturing, including the production of goods following initial processing.
- TourismTourism businesses, subject to specific eligibility requirements and geographical restrictions.
- Service-sector businesses, depending on their activity and the applicable sub-intervention.
- Energy and water efficiency, bioeconomy and circular economy investments..
Eligibility depends on the company's business activity classification (KAD), the proposed investment, its location and the specific requirements of the relevant sub-intervention.
What Are the Available Grant Rates?
Grant rates vary depending on the type of investment, business size, project location and applicable state aid framework.
Indicatively:
- 65% for agricultural product processing, non-agricultural product processing and forestry-related processing investments.
- 60% ή 65%depending on the applicable conditions, for certain crafts, small-scale manufacturing and post-primary-processing activities.
- Έως 80% for eligible energy and water efficiency, bioeconomy and circular economy investments.
- 90%–100% for certain cooperation initiatives and 100% for eligible training activities.
Important: Grant rates of 90% and 100% do not generally apply to the establishment or modernisation of commercial businesses. They are available under specific sub-interventions with different objectives and eligibility conditions.
The applicable grant rate for each business investment is determined after assessing the relevant sub-intervention and the proposed project.
What Is the Maximum Eligible Investment Budget?
The maximum eligible investment budget depends on the project category.
For most business investments aimed at strengthening the local economy, the eligible project budget can reach 300.000 ευρώ.
For agricultural product processing investments, the maximum eligible budget can reach 400.000 ευρώ.
For projects consisting exclusively of intangible activities, the maximum eligible budget is 20.000 ευρώ.
These figures represent the maximum eligible investment budgets, not the grant amounts businesses will receive.
The actual public grant is calculated based on the applicable funding rate and the project's approved eligible expenditure.
Which Investment Costs Are Eligible?
The LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida programme can support projects involving the establishment of new businesses, the expansion of existing operations and the modernisation of production facilities and commercial premises.
Depending on the relevant sub-intervention, eligible expenditure may include:
- Construction work, building improvements and the adaptation of business premises.
- Purchase and installation of production machinery and equipment..
- Other professional equipment required for business operations.
- Energy efficiency improvements and water-saving measures.
- Technical studies and other eligible professional services related to the investment.
- Additional expenditure expressly permitted under the relevant sub-intervention.
Each proposed cost must meet the eligibility requirements and conditions set out in the official call.
How Is the Available Funding Allocated?
The programme's total public funding allocation of €2,954,400 is distributed across different investment categories.
For the main business-related activities, the indicative allocations are:
- 842.400 € for agricultural product processing facilities.
- 572.000 € for non-agricultural product processing facilities.
- 143.000 € for forestry-related processing facilities.
- 429.000 € is allocated to crafts, handicrafts and the production of goods following primary processing.
- 364.000 € for tourism businesses.
- 208.000 € for service-sector businesses.
- 200.000 € for energy and water efficiency, bioeconomy and circular economy investments.
Additional resources are allocated to eligible training and cooperation initiatives.
Please note: These amounts represent public funding allocations for each sub-intervention. They are not the maximum grant amounts available to an individual business.
What About Tourism Investments?
The LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida programme includes a dedicated sub-intervention supporting eligible tourism businesses.
However, tourism investments are subject to specific geographical and operational requirements.
The establishment of new tourist accommodation facilities is permitted only in mountainous areas, in accordance with the Local Development Programme., σύμφωνα με τους όρους του Τοπικού Προγράμματος.
Investors considering tourism-related projects should therefore verify the exact investment location, the proposed activity and the relevant eligibility requirements before preparing an application.
Who Can Apply for LEADER Funding?
Depending on the sub-intervention, eligible applicants may include individuals, existing or newly established legal entities, and eligible private-sector organisations.
The programme may therefore support both the establishment of new business activities and the development or modernisation of existing businesses, where permitted by the applicable sub-intervention.
Eligibility is assessed against the specific conditions of the call and the characteristics of each investment proposal.
What Are the Main Eligibility Requirements?
Both the applicant and the proposed investment must satisfy the eligibility criteria of the relevant sub-intervention.
Key requirements include:
- The company's business activity and applicable Greek business activity code (KAD).
- The exact location of the investment.
- The nature and eligible budget of the proposed project.
- Required permits, approvals and technical studies.
- The applicant's ability to secure the necessary private contribution.
- A complete investment proposal with all required supporting documents.
Investment proposals are evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding approval.
When Is the Application Deadline?
The electronic application period is scheduled as follows:
Applications open: 15 September 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Greek local time).
Application deadline: 15 December 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (Greek local time).
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Integrated State Aid Information System (OPSKE), together with all required supporting documents and investment details.
Early preparation is essential, particularly for projects requiring technical studies, regulatory approvals or additional documentation.
Why Is Early Preparation Important?
Preparing a successful LEADER funding application involves more than completing an online form.
An initial eligibility assessment, a properly structured investment budget, the collection of supporting documentation and the preparation of a complete investment file are essential steps in the application process.
For projects involving construction work, machinery, technical studies or licensing requirements, preparation should begin well ahead of the submission deadline.
A structured approach allows businesses to identify potential issues early and submit a complete, well-documented investment proposal.
AFS HANDLES YOUR APPLICATION!
AFS – Athens Financial Services provides comprehensive support to businesses and investors seeking to benefit from the LEADER Karditsa – Thessaliotida 2023–2027 funding programme.managing the application process from the initial eligibility assessment through submission and support during project implementation.
Our services include:
- Eligibility assessment of your business and proposed investment.
- Preparation and organisation of the application dossier, in line with the programme's requirements.
- Submission of the funding application through the designated online system.
- Ongoing guidance and support during project implementation.
Our goal is to help businesses understand their funding options, meet the programme's requirements and move forward with a well-prepared investment proposal.
Are you planning a new investment or looking to expand your business in Karditsa or Thessaliotida, Greece?
Don't miss the opportunity to explore the funding available for your project. Contact AFS to assess whether your investment may qualify for LEADER Imathia funding.
Application deadline: 15 December 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (Greek local time).
Contact us:
📞 210 831 7702
Alternatively, complete our contact form, and a member of the AFS team will get back to you.
