The 2.13 billion resource redirection. €2.13 billion for the benefit of society and the economy, Greece has succeeded after the formalisation of the results of the completion of the mid-term review process of the 2021-2027 programmes across Europe, announced by the European Commission’s Executive Vice President for Cohesion Policy and Reform, Rafaelle Fitto.

In particular, a total of €2.13 billion of EU funds have been redirected to Greece from the NSRF 2021- 2027 Programmes to address the new challenges set by the European Commission. Of this amount, €1.91 billion is for the introduction of new strategic priorities, while €224 million is for existing critical priorities.

The following new strategic priorities of the European Commission in critical areas have been identified as necessary to prepare Europe to become more competitive and resilient in the face of new challenges arising from contemporary geopolitical developments at the international level:

*affordable and sustainable housing.

*safe access to water and sustainable management of water resources.

*enhance competitiveness by funding critical technologies through the Strategic Technologies Platform for Europe (STEP).

*supporting defence, security and civil preparedness.

*accelerate the energy transition.

Greece, despite the advanced stage of implementation of the Programmes, has responded promptly and effectively to this challenge, achieving in almost all Programmes the objectives set by the European Commission and ensuring significant benefits for the NSRF 2021- 2027 Programmes and for the country, such as:

-extending the eligibility of expenditure of the NSRF 2021- 2027 Programmes by one year (until 2030), and

-granting additional advances of €650 million, of which €450 million has already been received by the country

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Specifically in the field of affordable and sustainable housing, Greece has designed and negotiated with the European Commission a pioneering action for subsidized financing for the renovation of private housing with a mild energy upgrade, with a total budget of around €500 million. EUR 500 million, an amount already committed for this action with allocations from 14 different NSRF 2021- 2027 programmes.

This action will finance with a subsidy starting from 70% and reaching up to 95% “closed” and “open” old houses. The action will target low and middle-income households that do not have the necessary resources to renovate and develop their property. Increased subsidy rates are foreseen for people with disabilities, people with three or more children, large families, single-parent families, young people aged 25-35, as well as for properties located in mountainous and island areas. The aim of this important action is to increase the supply of housing and to strengthen quality home ownership.

Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis said: “The announcement of the results of the mid-term review of the 2021-2027 NSRF programmes is a national success. It reflects in the most official way that systematic work produces measurable results. It certifies that the will not to waste a single euro of the resources at our disposal is being put into practice. It also signals the correctness of the Greek position on the need to secure more funds to address modern challenges such as housing, defence and strengthening competitiveness. Especially on housing, it is important that the Prime Minister’s initiative and negotiation to secure European funds to finance subsidised renovations of private houses, in combination with their energy upgrading, not only meets with a response at the top institutional level of the EU, but now constitutes a pioneering action across Europe to tackle the housing problem. With plan and determination, we are accelerating the realisation of our commitments in order to achieve the Greece that our fellow citizens deserve. I would like to congratulate the NSRF General Secretariat and all stakeholders, inside and outside the government, for their excellent work. The result is very important for today and for the future of the country.”

NESPA Secretary General Vasiliki Pantelopoulou said: “The successful completion of the mid-term review of the NSRF Programmes 2021- 2027, under the overall coordination of the General Secretariat of NSRF, marks for our country a substantial reallocation of European resources to the modern needs of the economy and society. Greece has responded promptly and effectively, ensuring the redirection of €2.13 billion to address the new challenges while ensuring significant fiscal and management benefits for the country. An important part of the review is the affordable and sustainable housing action of around €500 million, with subsidies for the renovation of private old closed and open houses, which contributes to addressing the problem of affordable housing and strengthening social cohesion.”