Greece’s Tourism, Culture and Agrifood to Benefit from EU Emergency Funding

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Aimed at modernizing infrastructure and improving the resilience of the Greek economy, the Greek government announced this week a four- pronged national recovery plan outlining 18 areas, including tourism and culture, set to benefit from a total of 32 billion euros (soft loans included) in EU emergency funds released to help member states address the impact of the Covid-19 health crisis.

Greece will channel 6.2 billion euros into infrastructure and actions towards the country’s transition to greener practices; 2.1 billion euros into the country’s digital transition, accounting for 13 percent of the total; 4.1 billion euros to boost employment, social cohesion and employment skills (25 percent of the total); and 4 billion euros in private investment. 

Tourism, culture, and the agrifood sectors are among the areas slated for funding under axis 4 aimed at making the Greek economy more resilient through upgrades and digitalization.

Funds in these key areas will include tax and labor reforms; investments in cultural and creative industries as well as in developing skills; actions to support social cohesion through linking culture and tourism with a focus on silver tourism. 

With regard to tourism, actions to reduce the sector’s seasonality and increase revenue; the development of thematic and alternative forms of tourism, including mountain, religious and sea tourism, and creating accessible infrastructure. 

In the agrifood sector, funding is aimed at implementing efficient and effective production methods that increase the quality and competitiveness of Greek products; investments in digital technologies aimed at reducing the industry’s impact on the climate and in research and innovation.

Funding will also be covering Greece’s transition to a new environmentally friendly energy model; a green and sustainable transport system; sustainable resource use, actions to ensure resilience to climate change and biodiversity conservation.