Athens, January 29 – The Attica Region has officially activated its new Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Observatory, “Athens Forward,” on January 28, 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias, aims to provide comprehensive insights and strategic proposals to foster entrepreneurship and productive activity across the region.
A New Era for Attica’s Business Landscape
“Athens Forward” is designed as an innovative and integrated mechanism that gathers, analyzes, and promotes data on market trends, business needs, and developments within the entrepreneurial environment. Its primary objective is to enhance the outward orientation and competitiveness of businesses while contributing to the formation of targeted support policies.
Through this Competitiveness Observatory, the Attica Region is introducing new business intelligence tools. It will systematically monitor the evolution of various markets and sectors, offering businesses access to reliable data. This will empower them to make informed decisions and strengthen their market position.
Key Focus Areas for Sustainable Growth
The observatory places particular emphasis on several critical areas:
- Digital transition
- Green economy
- Sustainable development
- Financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Outward orientation and competitiveness of businesses
- Adaptation of businesses to crisis conditions
The findings from these studies will be made directly available to businesses in Attica, improving their access to information and their capacity to make well-founded decisions regarding modern market developments. Concurrently, the Attica Region will utilize this data to formulate targeted development policies and support the real economy.
“Attiki On” Program: A Catalyst for Entrepreneurship
In line with these efforts, the financial program “Attiki On – Activating Entrepreneurship – Power in Development – Support for Entrepreneurship” is already underway. This program boasts a total budget of 120.2 million euros and is implemented through European funds managed by the Attica Region (Regional Program “Attica 2021-2027”).
The application process for the “Attiki On” program saw an impressive participation of 1,301 micro and small enterprises from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, services, and tourism. To date, 949 investment plans have been approved, with 678 already in the implementation phase.
Regional Governor’s Vision for a Stronger Attica
Regarding the “Athens Forward” Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Observatory, Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias stated, “In the Attica Region, we plan based on real data and invest in development. With Athens Forward, we are creating a modern, reliable business intelligence system to understand the state of our economy, identify challenges, and pinpoint opportunities. This knowledge forms the foundation upon which we build policies that support Attica’s productive sector – because entrepreneurship is not just about numbers; it is about the living economy, jobs, and the prosperity of our fellow citizens in all 66 of our neighborhoods.”
Hardalias further emphasized the success of the “Attiki On” program, noting, “In the same context, the ‘Attiki On’ program, with a total budget of 120 million euros, attracted more than 1,300 micro and small enterprises, with almost a thousand of them receiving the ‘green light’ and most investments already in the implementation phase. In the Attica Region, we provide practical support for modernization, innovation, and productive reconstruction. We connect documented knowledge with substantial funding. We plan, implement, and support – for a stronger, more competitive, and more sustainable Attica. This is our consistent strategy with vision.”
Source: travelling.gr
