Just Transition Loan Fund – loans with 50% interest-free (lignite areas & small islands)
'Just Development Transition' Programme 2021-2027 (EU Just Transition Fund)
Ελληνική Αναπτυξιακή Τράπεζα – ΕΑΤ (Hellenic Development Bank – HDB)
In plain words
A €5,000–€500,000 loan for businesses in the lignite areas (Western Macedonia, Megalopoli) and on small islands: HDB lends 50% interest-free and the bank the rest, with a 3-point interest subsidy for 3 years. De minimis rules apply.
Who can apply
Micro, small and medium businesses (existing or new) with a seat or branch in: Western Macedonia, the municipalities of Megalopoli, Tripoli, Gortynia and Oichalia, and islands with under 3,100 inhabitants in the North Aegean, South Aegean and Crete, in an eligible activity code.
What it pays for
Investment and working-capital loans of 1–10 years with up to 12 months grace. Collateral up to 100% of the loan.
What must be true for you
Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.
- Seat or branch in an eligible Just Transition area.
- Eligible activity code; tax and social-security clearance; credit-bureau check.
- De minimis headroom (€300,000 of state aid per 3 years).
- Business plan, bank credit approval and ESG Tracker.
How to apply
- Pick one or more partner banks (Alpha Bank, Credia Bank, Eurobank, Cooperative Bank of Thessaly, Piraeus).
- Apply on HDB's KYC platform (kyc.hdb.gr) with your company details and business plan; tax/social-security clearance and credit-bureau (Tiresias) checks run automatically.
- The request goes to the banks you chose; when one makes a non-binding offer you get a unique code.
- Use the code to file the application on the state-aid system ΟΠΣΚΕ (app.opske.gr).
- Fill in the ESG Tracker self-assessment (esgtracker.hdb.gr) – mandatory, but it does not affect eligibility.
- Hand the documents to the bank, which checks your creditworthiness and signs the loan agreement with you.
Where to apply: Πλατφόρμα KYC της ΕΑΤ (kyc.hdb.gr) + ΟΠΣΚΕ (app.opske.gr) + συνεργαζόμενη τράπεζα / HDB KYC platform + OPSKE state-aid system + partner bank
Deadline
Apply any time through a partner bank until funds run out (disbursement by 31 Dec 2029).
Sources we read
Research notes: Budget €50m from the JTF Programme 2021-2027; ~€87m of loans with bank money. Scope recently widened to islands with up to 3,100 inhabitants. The regions field lists whole regions but only the areas named in 'who' are eligible (in Peloponnese only 4 municipalities; in the Aegean/Crete only small islands). Listed by HDB as 'in progress'; no exhaustion notice on 17.10.2026.