The kick-off meeting took place on Monday, 22 September 2025 at the Ministry of Digital Governance, underscoring the state’s commitment to this strategic European institution that fosters resilience, innovation, digital transformation, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s largest SME support network, comprising 450 organizations across 56 countries.
The sessions continued and concluded on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, at the premises of the National Documentation Centre (EKT), which has assumed the role of coordinator of the Greek consortium for the new 2025–2028 period, in collaboration with the PRAXI Network.
Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Christos Dermentzopoulos stated: “The Ministry of Digital Governance, in collaboration with EKT and the partners of Enterprise Europe Network Hellas, is shaping a unified ecosystem that supports innovation, digital transition, and outward-looking entrepreneurship. This empowers the Greek SMEs, connects them with European markets, and makes them more resilient and competitive internationally.”
Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis emphasized: “The Ministry of Development recognizes the crucial role of EEN as a key European mechanism supporting SMEs and actively backs the national effort to leverage the network’s capabilities. EKT’s appointment of the coordinating role reflects its longstanding expertise in supporting innovation. At the same time, the contribution of all consortium partners — Chambers, Industry Associations, Development Agencies, and Research Institutions — is decisive for the project’s success.”
Director of EKT Dr. Kyriakos Tolias outlined:“Today’s meeting is not simply the formal launch of a new program. It is a moment of collective restart — an opportunity to stand together and look ahead with planning, confidence, and a shared commitment to the needs of Greek entrepreneurship. For EKT, the EEN is not just another European program; it is an integral part of our strategy to support the Greek economy with well-documented, innovative, and effective tools.”
President of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and Director of the PRAXI Network, Professor Vassilis Charmandaris, added: “FORTH and the PRAXI Network have long-standing experience in technology transfer and in supporting entrepreneurship in Greece. It is particularly encouraging to collaborate with institutions that bring expertise and excellence, in order to provide real value to the Greek economy. Through EEN, FORTH will continue to actively contribute to enforce innovation and technological capacity in Greek enterprises.”
Additional greetings were delivered by Spyros Bekas, President of the Ioannina Chamber of Commerce, Giannis Panagiotidis, President of the Kavala Chamber of Commerce, and Giorgos Papagiannopoulos, CEO of Elevate Greece, all underlining the importance of cooperation between institutions for strengthening and further showcasing the Network.
From the European Commission side, interventions were made by Christos Skouras, Policy Officer at DG GROW, Makis Tikfesis, Project Adviser at EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency) and Muriel de Grande, Head of Sector, Enterprise Europe Network and EEN Partnerships at EISMEA. They highlighted the strong performance and achievements of the Greek consortium and outlined the goals and challenges for the new period.
The objectives and services of EEN Hellas for 2025–2028 were presented by Anastasia Sarchosoglou, EKT, coordinator of the consortium and Achilleas Barlas, PRAXI Network, coordinator of the consortium for the period 2022–2025.
Consortium members were briefed on the work plan, implementation methods, and exchanged ideas on broadening services and strengthening the network’s visibility. The working groups also presented their planned activities and discussed the next steps for the implementation of the new period’s goals.
New Period- New Structure
The consortium enters the 2025–2028 period under the coordination of EKT in partnership with the PRAXI Network — two pivotal actors in Greece’s research, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Two new organizations join the network this period:
- Elevate Greece, as a strategic partner
- Enterprise Greece S.A., as an associate partner
Together, they reinforce support for Greek SMEs and startups.
In total, 16 organizations participate in EEN Hellas, all with a strong footprint in internationalization and SME support:
- National Documentation Centre (EKT)
- PRAXI Network
- Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI)
- Athens Chamber of Small and Medium Industries (ACSMI)
- Association of Industries of Thessaly & Central Greece (AITCG)
- ANKO Western Macedonia S.A.
- Arcadia Chamber of Commerce
- Ioannina Chamber of Commerce
- Kavala Chamber of Commerce
- Heraklion Chamber of Commerce
- Small Enterprises’ Institute – GSEVEE
- EBETAM S.A. (MIRTEC S.A.)
- Hellenic Association of Enterprises (SEV)
- Association of Enterprises & Industries of Peloponnese & Western Greece (SEVPDE)
- Elevate Greece
- Associate partner: Enterprise Greece
Measurable Results - Consistent Growth
The Greek consortium of EEN Hellas has made significant contributions to the Enterprise Europe Network, achieving high performance and measurable impact.
For the period 2022–2025:
- 6,800 Greek companies received services from EEN Hellas
- 164 international business partnerships were facilitated through the consortium
- 20.3% of achievements related to companies in the digital technology sector, compared with the 17.3% average across all countries
Feedback from Enterprises
According to a survey on service quality, companies collaborating with the Network rated the Greek consortium particularly highly:
- 83% rated EEN services as high quality and tailored to their needs
- Companies that quantified the impact reported an average turnover increase of 31.7%
- 51% successfully entered new international markets, of which 88% were within the European Union
