Launched in 2010, Europe 2020 is the European Union’s (EU) ten year growth and jobs strategy.

The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) support the  implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy and help reduce the varying levels of development in regions across the EU. The five ESI Funds are: The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

The ESIF operate under a common framework and deliver funds in Greece through the Partnership Agreement 2014-2020 and its Operational Programmes. In order to maximise the ESIF’s impact, eleven thematic objectives are outlined for generating smart, sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent.

Other EU Funding Instruments
Besides the ESIF, there are other EU instruments / funding programmes available, also contributing to the Thematic Objectives. These instruments can complement or be combined with the stream of funds from the ESIF. They can offer financial support in different forms and incentives, such as grants, prizes, contracts, repayable assistance and financial instruments.

In essence these are other EU Funds, the majority of which are centrally managed and allocated through calls for proposals submitted directly to the European Commission or its Executive Agencies.

The EU funding instruments (EU Funds) with a strong potential for synergies with the ESIF are the following:

• Horizon 2020 is the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation divided into three pillars corresponding to its main priorities: Excellent Science, Industrial Leadership, Societal Challenges. More information on the EU website.
  
  
• The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) finances projects which fill the missing links in Europe’s energy, transport and digital backbone. More information here.
  
  
• Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEsI). It will support SMEs in four areas: Access to finance, access to markets, support to entrepreneurs, better conditions for business creation & growth. More information on the EU website.
  Published calls for tender and calls for proposals related to COSME can be accessed on the Participants Portal.  Moreover, enterprises can address to the Enterprise Europe Network - Hellas.
  
  
• LIFE programme is the only EU instrument focused on the environment and climate change. More information on the EU website.
  
  
• Creative Europe programme supports the cultural and creative sectors. More information on the EU website.
  
  
• The EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) is a financing instrument for promoting quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions. More information on the EU website.
  
  
• The Erasmus+ programme supports education, training, youth and sport initiatives for the period 2014-2020. Specifically it offers opportunities to over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad. More information on the EU website.
  
  
• The EU Health Programme ensures that human health is protected as part of all EU policies, and works with Member States to support them in improving public health and preventing human illness and risks to physical and mental health. More information on the EU website.

 
For more information see also the EU publication Guidance For Beneficiaries of European Structural and Investment Funds and related EU instruments (PDF - 968 Kb)