This initiative aligns with the principles of Blue Growth, focusing on protecting and showcasing the underwater environment, leveraging Greece’s natural and cultural assets, and advancing sustainable development. By creating and upgrading diving parks, as well as improving the quality of diving services, the action promotes the country’s underwater riches, boosts local economies and employment, and adds a new year-round offering to Greece’s tourism portfolio.

• Diving Park Managers, as specified in Article 13 of Law 3409/2005 (Gov. Gazette A’ 273/5.2005).
• Public services and agencies, local government organizations, and fishing cooperatives with the authority of “Pontisi Applicant” for creating Free Artificial Underwater Attractions.
• Leisure Diving Service Providers (Diving Centers, Scuba Training Schools) with VAT code 85.51.10.03 for diving training services.

An investment plan may include:

• Enhancing and constructing diving parks per Article 13 of Law 3409/2005.
• Creating free artificial underwater attractions as described in Article 8 of Law 4688/2020.
• Developing infrastructure and purchasing diving equipment or gear.
• Feasibility or other technical studies.
• Acquiring boats for transport to the dive site.
• Purchasing diving equipment.
• Consultant costs for funded projects regarding submission, monitoring, and investment oversight.

Vary according to beneficiary category:

• Diving Park Managers: €100,000–€300,000
• Public services/agencies with “Pontisi Applicant” status for Free Artificial Underwater Attractions: €50,000–€300,000
• Leisure Diving Service Providers: €20,000–€200,000

Applicants may be existing legal entities, regardless of size, that:

• Hold a valid operating license.
• Operate in Greece.
• For private diving service providers, have adequate private co-funding, whether self-financed or through external funding (or both).

Evaluators conduct a completeness check, ensuring the applicant meets all conditions, eligibility of expenses, reasonableness of the budget, and overall expenditure eligibility. Proposals are then approved on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on when they meet the criteria.