Digitalisation of the Greek Industry  

The Commission supported Greece with the preparation of a digitalisation strategy for the Greek industry and manufacturing. It provided expertise on the field research and best practices for an “as-is” analysis of the digital maturity of the Greek industry and supported the preparation of a comprehensive strategy “Industry 4.0”. It also provided an operational plan with detailed measures and actions to support the digital transition of the Greek industry and manufacturing. The project is expected to contribute towards the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to the Greek industry and manufacturing, opening the way for the Greek industry to exploit the opportunities offered by the 4th Industrial revolution.       

Context 

The digital transformation of the Greek industry is a key element for achieving sustainable growth.  Most Greek manufacturing firms are small to medium sized, meaning that they cannot exploit economies of scale. An important way forward for the Greek industry is to adopt cutting-edge technologies and digital skills as identified under the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" or "Industry 4.0 (i4.0)" concept.

Greece is only at the beginning of dealing with the effects of Industry 4.0 and is lagging behind in two areas, the digital transformation of its economy and industry. The rather slow pace of digital transformation of the Greek industry has negative effects on almost all economic sectors and on the growth of the economy. Hence, there was a need for a comprehensive strategy and plan with detailed measures to support the digitalisation of the Greek industry and manufacturing. 

Support delivered 

The support was in the form of:

• Expertise, guidance, desk research and through  field research using  questionnaires for an AS IS analysis of the digital maturity of the Greek industry and a review of best practices.   
• Expertise, provision of best practices and drafting of:
• A comprehensive strategy “Industry 4.0” 
• An operational plan with detailed measures and actions to support the digital transition of the Greek industry and manufacturing
• A communication plan for the strategy 
• Recommendations for setting up the governance mechanism to implement the strategy and plan 
• Extensive stakeholders’ consultation to provide input and feedback to project deliverables    

Results achieved 

The results of this project are expected to contribute towards the deployment of cutting-edge technologies by the Greek industry and manufacturing, opening the way for the Greek industry to exploit the opportunities offered by the 4th Industrial revolution. The project will also contribute to EU’s digital transition. 

The government is now in possession of comprehensive strategy for the digitalisation of the Greek industry. Many of the project’s recommendations and deliverables have already been or will be incorporated in imminent funding schemes, mechanisms and legislation such as: 

A) The design and structure of the New Partnership Agreement - National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA)2021-2027 and the Programme for Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness, Research and Innovation (EPANEK) 2021-2027.

B)  The design of the new National Smart Specialisation Strategy and the New Entrepreneurial Discovery Process. 

C)  The design of the new National Development Law – Greece 2.0 and its funding priorities. 

D) The recently announced “National Road Map for Circular Economy” which elaborates the findings of the “Circular Economy” high priority pillar of the “Digital Transformation of the Greek Industry” project.

E) The High Level Government Committee for Industry and its agenda of works.