The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace organized on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Komotini, an information event of the General Secretariat of the NSRF of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, on the topic "STEP: Development of Critical Technologies in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace", with the participation of the General Secretary of the NSRF, Ms. Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, representatives of the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (JASPERS), the Managing Authority of the Regional Program, universities, research centers, chambers and the business community.

In her online greeting, the Secretary General of the NSRF, Ms. Pandelopoulou, congratulated the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsides, for the initiative to utilize the opportunity offered by the European framework and the mid-term review of the NSRF, with the aim of strengthening the international competitiveness of the Region. She praised the initiative of the Region to organize the first presentation of the STEP program, noting that it can serve as a model and political reference for corresponding actions in other Regions of the country. Furthermore, she underlined that this specific initiative is of particular importance for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as the Region has a strategic geographical location and significant prospects to play a crucial role in the development of critical technologies and in strengthening European competitiveness.

The Regional Governor, Mr. Christodoulos Topsidis, thanked the Secretary General of the NSRF for the cooperation and the choice of the Region as the venue for the presentation of the new STEP call, emphasizing that it is an essential development tool that supports the transition to a new productive model, based on knowledge, innovation and high added value technologies. He emphasized that Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has all the comparative advantages to play a leading role in the new European strategy for critical technologies.

Within the framework of the STEP Program, the Region is activating a new call for proposals "Supporting enterprises of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace for research and innovation in areas of Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP)" (Action RSO1.6.a), with a total budget of up to 10 million euros, for small, medium and large enterprises, enhancing investments in advanced digital technologies, clean and efficient technologies, biotechnology and defense technologies. The aim is to strengthen research and innovation, develop high-value-added products, strengthen collaborations with universities and research centers and create quality jobs.

Mr. Topsidis pointed out that the Region is utilizing every available European resource to support entrepreneurship, innovation and employment. He mentioned that in the recent calls for entrepreneurship, research and innovation, 588 investment projects were submitted, with a total requested public expenditure of 111,7 million euros and a total investment footprint, with private expenditure, of 240,6 million euros. At the same time, 300 enterprises have already been financed through RIS3 for the employment of highly qualified workers with projects amounting to 20 million euros, while for the first time a 2 million euro action is being implemented to support Social and Solidarity Economy enterprises.

In closing, Mr. Topsides called on businesses to take advantage of the new STEP invitation and to claim an active role in the new European value chains, assuring that the Region will continue to support every development initiative.

Participants were informed in detail by executives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (JASPERS) and the Managing Authority of the Regional Programme about the STEP initiative and call, received practical instructions for preparing applications, while the event concluded with thematic discussion tables.