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New ideas - Greece

Updated 12/2011

Legal requirements

Innovation is generally described as the "use of knowledge to produce and supply new products or services sought by consumers". Innovation is not limited to technology but applies to issues such as development and promotion of products and services, as well as to organisation, administration, and day-to-day management (non-technological innovation).

Technological innovation must be accompanied by changes and appropriate adaptation to your company's administration, processes, strategic planning, and organisational structure.

The General Secretariat for Research and Technology   (GSRT), provides a central resource for the management of the Greek Research, Technological Development (R&D) and Innovation system.

As regards the utilisation of research funds, the lion's share belongs to universities, followed by research centres and businesses.

R&D Policies are as follows:

  • Measures and actions taken by the Ministry of Development to enhance scientific research and innovation ελληνικά
  • Greek R&D Strategy after 2000 ελληνικά
  • Research and Technology ελληνικά

Research, Technological Development and Innovation

Information on R&D is available on the website of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology.

The main legal framework concerning R&D is as follows:

  • Law on connecting research and technology with production pdf [128 KB] ελληνικά
  • Law on measures supporting the capital market and developing entrepreneurship pdf [1 MB] ελληνικά

Non-technological innovation

Organisational non-technological innovation is the implementation of new methods or amendments to methods, in terms of the structure or management of the company, to improve the use of knowledge within the company, the quality of goods and services and workflow efficiency.

Non-technological innovation in terms of marketing is the implementation of new or improved designs or sales methods aimed at increasing the attractiveness of goods and services or facilitating entry into new markets.

  • Collection of data not relating to technological innovation pdf [1,60 MB] ελληνικά

It is important to distinguish between technological innovation of products and processes and non-technological innovation (organisational and marketing). For example:

  • ISO certificates and the import of management and quality control systems are only seen as technological innovation when they are directly linked to the introduction of new or significantly improved processes.
  • Organisational innovations are only seen as technological when they are based on new technological applications and result in measurable amendments in performance, such an increase in productivity or sales.

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Programmes

National research programmes implemented by the GSRT and R&D programmes coordinated by the EU at the national level, are the main means of financing R&D in Greece. 

The "Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship 2007-2013" operational programme supports research, technology, and innovation in all business sectors. Its main priorities are:

  • increasing investment in knowledge and excellence;
  • promoting innovation;
  • dissemination of new technologies; and
  • the enhancement of entrepreneurship.

More information is available on the website below:

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

    • Act 2919/2001 on "Bridging research and technological development with production, and other regulations" (Government Gazette A' 128/15-6-2001) pdf [128 KB] ελληνικά
    • Act 2992/2002 "Measures used to strengthen capital and develop entrepreneurship, and other provisions" (Government Gazette A' 54/20-3-2002) pdf [1 MB] ελληνικά

    Key documents

    • Study on measuring innovation by companies in Greece pdf [1,60 MB] ελληνικά
    • Innovation and high technology sectors in Greece pdf [79 KB] ελληνικά

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Enterprise Europe Network - Contact points

The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local contact points. 

Choose your nearest contact point for personalized help and advice:

Further help

The Enterprise Europe Network, one of the largest global networks in support of Greek businesses in entrepreneurship, innovation, participation in European research programmes and information, cooperates with many relevant shareholders, including the National Documentation Centre and the National Research and Technology Centre.

The PRAXI network also contributes to connecting Research and Production in Greece:

Relevant action is taken by Regional Innovation Poles (RIP), developed at the initiative of the Secretariat General for Research and Technology:

Relevant action is also taken by Business Innovation Centres (BIC):

Finally, Greek Chambers provide personalised consultation services to their members on issues relating to innovation, either with the help of specialised scientific staff, or in their capacity as partners in Business Information Centres and Regional Innovation Poles:

  • E-boss business information system ελληνικά