The ROP through IP 3d aims to modernize and diversify the local economy and traditional value chains and encourage the participation of SMEs in domestic and international networks and value chains.

To this end, blue/green economy potentials have been identified as major agents of change.

The Region of Attiki has identified both Blue Economy and Sustainable Economy of Needs in its ROP and as 2 of the pillars of its RIS3.

Also, the Region has launched an ambitious plan for Piraeus: The Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI), an 80.4 MEUR program (6.8 MEUR for IP 3.d) funded by and is an inherent part of the ROP. The ITI promotes Piraeus as a “green”, “blue”, “smart” and “sustainable” city, and addresses both pillars in several ways.

As Maritime Capital of Greece, most of the regional funds for Blue Economy (through ROP and/or ITI) will be allocated to the Municipality.

The Region and Piraeus need to specify the ROP in terms of making relevant measures more targeted towards green & blue start-ups. Up to now, this has been achieved by taking advantage of their own success stories such as BlueGrowth Initiative & prize (a URBACT best practice of Piraeus to support start-ups relating to the blue economy and environment).

As local expertise is limited, the project will enable both entities to enrich their understanding and exploit potentials for stimulating start-ups in the green & blue economy as a way of further specifying their respective ERDF-funded initiatives. 

The objective of the Regional Operational Programme (OP) is to increase the competitiveness of the region, and thus improve the living conditions of its inhabitants.

OP, Priority Axis I Economy, Innovations and New Technologies supports the establishment and development of new enterprises. EUR 340 million has been allocated for the development of the business sector. One of the direct ways of supporting entrepreneurship, self-employment and creation of new jobs is to finance various consulting and training initiatives addressed to people willing to pursue such challenges.

Information and publicity campaigns are conducted to promote the idea that it is never too late to commence business activity – you only need a good idea and determination.

Its main goal is to raise the level of innovation and competitiveness of the region’s economy. The OP does not take into account the significant role and potential of the green economy in the development of the region. That is why the OP should be changed and the economic policy of the region should be directed at the transfer of development achievements related to the promotion of start-ups and growth in the green sector, to the whole economic system and entities functioning in other sectors.

WZP coordinates and activates the entrepreneurship of the region’s residents and external entities operating on its territory. To do this in an efficient way, WZP must constantly improve its competences and policy instruments. 

The Metropolitan Strategic plan is the main policy instrument of the Metropolitan City. The plan identifies 7 strategic lines of intervention. The first addresses the need to build the identity of Bologna Metropole as sustainable, responsible and attractive. The Ob. 1.2 in particular aims to make Bologna an attractive city for young talent and new citizens.

The competitiveness of the territories is played not only on economic and infrastructural factors but also on social capital that is able to produce cultural and educational opportunities, innovative context, services and hubs of knowledge. The presence of many research centers of excellence, expertise and technological knowledge, of public and private capital, is a key factor capable of making Bologna inconvenient position.

Moreover, the PSM addresses the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation, the need to foster the circular economy and green jobs (Ob.4). This is strictly related to the Emilia-Romagna RIS3 and is aimed at fostering new production concepts and business models to add value and strengthen the development of highly innovative areas with high potential for growth. The overall aim is to make Bologna a "Start-Up Valley". 

Operational Programme "Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020 (OPIC) main target is SMEs. OPIC is closely related to the Investment for growth and jobs goal and Bulgaria‘s contribution to the "Europe 2020" targets. The main objectives of the program are to address the needs, overcome the challenges, and seize the opportunities for the development of the Bulgarian economy by supporting smart and sustainable growth.

The Programme also aims at achieving a complementary effect in terms of inclusive growth. The current project is targeting specifically one out of the five priority axes of the program: “Entrepreneurship and SME growth capacity” and thematic priority TO3 Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs -with designated 45.47% out of the total budget of the program amounting to EUR 1 358 857 870.

OPIC has limited contribution to the support of green start-ups and start-ups that predominantly target the development of sustainable business models, as the topic is relatively novel for Bulgaria. An overarching and functioning framework for attracting, evaluating and supporting viable green business solutions is therefore lacking. Additionally, different stakeholders have expressed the need to improve the lengthy and unwieldy procedures not only for project evaluation but procedures for project development as a whole.