Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)- funding for SMEs

On March 1, 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/795 of the European Parliament and the Council entered into force, establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), further elaborated upon through the accompanying Guidance Note. 

The STEP platform is a dedicated online resource providing access to European and national funding programs. It aims to offer continuous updates and combined funding opportunities for innovative technological solutions that foster the creation of European value chains. Through this initiative, STEP supports investments that strengthen industrial development and value chains, reduce the Union’s strategic dependencies, bolster sovereignty and economic security, and address labor and skills shortages in critical sectors.  

These efforts contribute to improving the Union’s long-term competitiveness and resilience. 

Primary Objectives of STEP 

1. Support the development or production of critical technologies within the Union and secure or enhance the corresponding value chains. 

1. Address workforce and skills shortages, essential for all types of high-quality jobs, to support the primary objective. 

Key Focus Areas of STEP 

STEP provides support for the development and production of critical technologies across three main domains: 

• Innovation in digital and advanced technologies, 

• Clean and resource-efficient technologies, 

• Biotechnologies. 

Additionally, STEP backs technologies aligned with the objectives of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). 

Comprehensive Funding Scope 

STEP funding encompasses various stages of business development, from applied research to the production of specialized manufacturing equipment. It caters to both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations. Regional aid provisions include additional financial incentives (STEP bonus) ranging from 5% to 10%, depending on the region where the investment is implemented. 

Funding Criteria under STEP 

Article 2, paragraph 2 of the STEP regulation defines critical technologies as those that meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Introduce an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the internal market. 

• Contribute to reducing or preventing the Union’s strategic dependencies. 

EU Programs and Funds Supporting STEP 

The implementation of STEP is linked to 11 EU programs and funds: 

1. Digital Europe Programme, 

1. European Defense Fund, 

1. EU4Health, 

1. Horizon Europe, 

1. Innovation Fund, 

1. InvestEU, 

1. Recovery and Resilience Facility, 

1. Cohesion Fund, 

1. European Regional Development Fund, 

1. European Social Fund+ (ESF+), 

1. Just Transition Fund. 

The “STEP Seal of Sovereignty” 

The “STEP Seal of Sovereignty” is awarded to projects submitted under five “direct management” programs by the European Commission (Horizon Europe, Innovation Fund, European Defense Fund, Digital Europe Programme, EU4Health) that achieved high scores during the selection process. Such projects: 

• Either secure European funding and, with the “Seal,” gain access to additional funding through national programs, 

• Or fail to secure funding due to resource exhaustion but, with the “Seal,” receive privileged and streamlined access to financing through specific calls under the 2021–2027 national funding programs. 

The STEP Seal serves as a label designed to enhance the visibility of high-quality projects eligible for funding. This recognition is exclusively granted by the European Commission through specific STEP calls issued under five directly managed programs: the Innovation Fund, Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme, EU4Health, and the European Defence Fund. 

Projects are automatically awarded the STEP Seal if they meet the minimum quality standards of the respective calls (including eligibility, exclusion, and award criteria) and align with STEP’s overarching objectives. 

Details of projects granted the STEP Seal will be published on the STEP Portal, which is managed and regularly updated by the European Commission. These projects will also be consistently communicated to STEP National Contact Points. The validity of the STEP Seal extends for the entire duration of the project, unless the project does not commence within five years of receiving the award or is relocated outside the EU. 

STEP Seal – Brochure for STEP National Contact Points and Managing Authorities  concerning certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/795 establishing  the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) [Source: Link] 

STEP’s Impact on Cohesion Policy 

A key feature of STEP is the financial incentives aimed at orienting cohesion policy funds toward investments in critical technologies. This approach supports all Member States in building their capacities and fosters a level playing field for investments in critical technologies across the single market. Consequently, STEP represents a significant opportunity for transforming production models, enabling Greek enterprises to innovate and become integral components of the competitive European Union value chains. 

Invitation to Greek SMEs and Large Companies to Outline Their Needs Until 2027 

The development of four dedicated STEP questionnaires focusing the three STEP technological areas and additionally the Critical Raw Materials needs, has been carried out by the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance and EIT Manufacturing South East (EITM SE), who serves as a consultant on the project.  

Additionally, the scope of the electronic questionnaire is dual: 

• To informing Greek SMEs and Large Companies about the new European platform S.T.E.P. and stimulate interest in European funding opportunities. 

• Recording their interest, by providing valuable data that will support the revision of related co-funded programs for the period 2021–2027 and guide the selection of appropriate actions (e.g., initiatives in research and development, the production of cutting-edge equipment, and training or upskilling in advanced technologies). 

The questionnaires are available for fulfillment until Friday, 22nd of November 2024 in the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) Website: STEP Questionnaires