Business & Cultural Development Centre
Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA) is a, nonprofit private legal entity, with its headquarters in Thessaloniki, Greece. It was founded in 1991 by the Federation of Industries of Greece (SBE) and Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), with the aim of implementing and managing European and national programmes or parts thereof for the benefit of private initiative.
Since 1993, KEPA has proved its success as an Intermediate Managing Authority for National and Regional programmes. Since its establishment, KEPA has implemented successfully more than 100 national/regional programmes, being in charge of the management of over 30.000 business plans, totaling a 3-billion-euro budget, with 1,02-billion-euro of public financing.
In 2011, KEPA decided to expand its activity, developing an internal European Projects Department, in order to incorporate all the knowledge and expertise raised out of the organisation’s participation in EU funded projects. Through its participation in several projects so far, KEPA has gained significant experience and knowhow in the specific sectors, while it also participates as an active member to several European Networks (ERRIN, EMN, MFC, BEDA). Up-to-date, KEPA has successfully participated in more than 30 EU funded projects, totaling a budget of more than 21 million euro.
Moreover, in October 2017, KEPA established the Hellenic Design Centre (HDC) with the aim to promote the use of Design Thinking -a user-centered approach- in both public and private sector in order to enhance the competitiveness of Greek SMEs, the production of innovative products and the creation of high-quality services.
Through its 30-years-existence, KEPA consulted States Authorities by developing business studies and researches, has participated either solely or jointly with other partners to Committees and State Institutions and has developed great partnerships with local and regional organizations (AUTH, UoM, ATHE, Regions, Chambers, Municipality of Thessaloniki, etc.).