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Expanding beyond EU borders still presents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with obstacles, but the potential rewards of internationalisation for their growth are significant. The European Commission has therefore put forward a strategy to help European SMEs seize global opportunities by streamlining and strengthening support available for them.
Effective market surveillance ensures that the rules of Europe’s Single Market are respected. This is vital for knowledge-intensive EU sectors, such as machinery, which must compete against low-cost – and sometimes low-quality – manufacturers. This was the subject of a recent conference, which also saw the launch of a Common Industry Platform for Market Surveillance.
Socially responsible businesses play a crucial role in achieving sustainable economic growth through generating consumer confidence and positively contributing towards society’s well-being. Supporting responsible entrepreneurship is an EU priority, as a recently adopted package of measures demonstrates.
The successful launch of the first two operational Galileo satellites on 21 October 2011 confirms Europe’s arrival on the global satellite navigation stage. This is about more than prestige, it's about growth and jobs which are key priorities in the current economic climate. Satellite navigation technologies play an ever-increasing role in the global economy and the lives of citizens. Galileo is expected to benefit both European citizens and enterprises from potentially every sector.
Giving entrepreneurs a second chance at success and encouraging the handover of businesses are crucial ingredients in ensuring Europe’s long-term prosperity, according to a new study. These issues were also highlighted during the recent European SME Week 2011.
While social innovation can help Europe respond to challenges where the boundary between the 'social' and the 'economic' blurs, it can only do so through adequate funding. A new report provides recommendations to showcase the funding opportunities that public funding programs, private funds and charitable foundations provide to support social innovation in Europe. The report also gives a number of practical recommendations for future funding programs, emphasizing that social innovation needs a family of funds, that range from funding ideas to large scale roll out in for example care, education and mobility.
The European Commission is further strengthening the Enterprise Europe Network with new contact points in Asia and Africa. The growing reach of the Network was evident at its annual conference, which welcomed more than 900 participants from 50 countries. The event featured awards to companies which have successfully used the Network to find opportunities abroad or to develop their business and research activities.
Supporting Europe’s competitiveness requires robust industrial and SMEs policies at the national level along with effective EU-level coordination. To this end, the European Commission is ready to promote and monitor the structural improvements which can play a key role in ensuring sustainable growth. Two recent reports offer a valuable insight into the current state of play across Europe, as well as identifying key areas for action.
The micro-credit sector can play a significant role in improving access to finance and encouraging entrepreneurship. A new flexible and voluntary European Code of Good Conduct for micro-credit provision aims to guide both businesses and financial institutions towards a better working relationship.
By rewarding tourist areas which pursue a sustainable development path, the EDEN initiative boosts awareness of Europe's touristic diversity and quality, and helps to spread good practices. The 2011 edition focused on the regeneration of physical sites which were converted into tourism attractions and catalysts for wider local regeneration: join us for a tour of excellence.
The final evaluation of the EU’s Lead Market Initiative, which aims to create and develop marketplaces for innovative products and services, has concluded that this approach has not only delivered concrete results in various sectors but needs to be scaled up in order to boost Europe’s competitiveness.
Europe needs more growth and jobs but these cannot come at the expense of the environment. That is why an effective industrial policy needs to embrace resource efficiency. Two recent studies provide a valuable insight into the progress that has been made in Europe, and the opportunities that exist for future sustainable growth and job creation.
Although Europe’s construction products sector is economically important, it has not yet fully exploited the opportunities offered by the single market due to remaining trade barriers. To address this, a new Regulation aims to simplify the legislative framework and strengthen the credibility of the system. The EU has also been working on several initiatives to promote the sustainability and the competitiveness of the construction sector on the whole.
The REACH Regulation is designed to deliver both a high level of protection from the potential risks posed by chemical substances and a strong, innovative European industry that is competitive on the global market. REACH concerns not only the traditional chemical industry, but also businesses from several other sectors. Relevant companies need to start working on registration now in order to meet the 1 June 2013 deadline. The European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency have developed tools to make sure that SMEs are well equipped and ready to fulfil their obligations.
The European SME Week, which runs from 3 to 9 October, aims to inform entrepreneurs about available support, give recognition to their role in society and promote entrepreneurship. This year’s central event, the European SME Week Summit, will focus on two issues: transfers of business and a second chance for entrepreneurs. Hundreds of other events covering a wide range of topics and sectors will be held across Europe.
By outlining clear requirements for goods and services, standards help protect consumers, create new and larger markets and boost innovation. The European Commission has put forward proposals to modernise the European standardisation system to meet the challenges of our ever faster changing world, thus contributing to the objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The EU ensures the security of its citizens across a wide swath of activities, from civil protection against natural hazards to the protection of their food chain. Guarding against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) hazards is an especially important focus of the EU’s Security Research programme, which will also boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to Europe’s economic well-being, they often find it difficult to secure financing. To tackle this issue, the EU has developed tools specifically aimed at giving SMEs greater access to loans and equity finance: these financial instruments, funded under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), have a strong track record of success.
Through public procurement, European governments and public authorities can play an important role in promoting the uptake of innovative solutions and developing new markets, while simultaneously improving the quality of public services. The European Commission has launched several initiatives with a view to maximising the innovative potential of public procurement across the EU. A recent call for proposals under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme focuses on areas related to major societal challenges.
The European Commission’s presence at the world’s largest biotech and life science event is a sign of how seriously it takes its role of supporting the sector and boosting its innovativeness and global competitiveness.
Female entrepreneurship is a key resource for Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network provides the practical support needed to thrive in the business world.
The EU will support the Southern Mediterranean people’s democratic aspirations by creating a Euro-Med area of shared prosperity with a special focus on entrepreneurship and small business. To this end, industry ministers have agreed upon a series of practical actions during the latest Euro-Med meeting held in Malta.
While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Europe’s economic growth by providing jobs and driving innovation, they require a business-friendly environment to flourish. This year’s European Enterprise Awards recognised the hard work of many public administrations, at the local and regional level, which have provided support to small businesses through effective projects aimed at promoting excellence in entrepreneurship.
Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need access to the global economy if they are to flourish. Partnerships involving SMEs, governments and support agencies could help increase the effectiveness of public support in this domain. With this in mind, the European Commission is consulting stakeholders to get feedback on concrete ideas for a comprehensive approach to support measures for internationalisation.
A new survey indicates that the first signs of recovery registered in 2010 will continue into 2011, which is expected to be a good year for the European travel industry. The European Commission is working on further strengthening the basis of this positive outlook through the ambitious strategy for the sector unveiled last year.
Natural resources are vital for our economy and for sustaining our quality of life, but there is growing recognition that our current pattern of consumption is unsustainable. The European Union has responded with a number of initiatives to ensure that European business leads the way towards a more resource efficient future and the topic is high on the political agenda. An interesting example is provided by the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), which finances several projects in this field, thus showing the variety of challenges that can be met by improving the use of resources.
While some may consider space to be a luxury that Europe cannot afford during a time of austerity, nothing could be further from the truth. Improving the safety and daily lives of European citizens thanks to radio navigation, guiding tractors by satellite for high-yield crops, optimising responses to humanitarian crisis. This is not science fiction but just a few examples of innovations related to space technologies developed today. Many thousands of highly skilled jobs rely on the sector, which is working to make people’s lives easier and safer, and European industry as a whole more competitive. To ensure continued success, the European Commission is developing an integrated space policy that will strengthen Europe’s space infrastructure.
The EU has identified social innovation as crucial in helping Europe meet the challenges of the 21st century, and a number of initiatives have recently been put forward to spread awareness of social innovation and encourage the private sector to get involved. Central to this strategy was the recent launch of the Social Innovation Europe initiative. In addition, changes in society create new business opportunities to develop new services and products in sectors such as care, transport and education.
The Small Business Act (SBA) was launched in 2008 to ensure that European small and medium-sized enterprises have access to finance and markets and can thrive in a regulatory environment conducive to growth. A recent European Commission review reveals that progress in implementing the SBA’s measures has been made, while indicating further actions needed to respond to the new challenges that have emerged in the meantime.
While an innovative and competitive European defence industry is key to meet the objectives of the Common Security and Defence Policy, this highly sensitive sector has often been constrained by market fragmentation. Two European Directives will now strengthen the foundations of an open and competitive European Defence Equipment Market and a long-term, strong and genuine European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. On the occasion of the transposition of these Directives, a high level conference, chaired jointly by Commission Vice-President Tajani and Commissioner Barnier, will discuss new challenges the sector is facing.
Service innovation can play an important role in industrial policy because it has the potential to transform Europe’s businesses, thus making a strong contribution to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. These are among the key conclusions of a report from the Expert Panel on Service Innovation in the EU presenting recommendations in five areas to achieve this objective.
The Single Market is one of Europe’s key achievements, but it needs to be further strengthened in some areas so as to fully deploy its potential as creator of growth and jobs. In the field of registration of vehicles previously registered in another Member State, for example, the lack of harmonisation continues to act as a barrier to the free movement of goods, thus resulting in administrative burden for both businesses and citizens. With a view to addressing this issue, the European Commission recently launched a public consultation in order to get those most affected involved in finding a solution.
The European Commission has officially launched the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service for aviation, providing a new means of increasing air transport efficiency and safety. The EGNOS system enables safe landing approaches in difficult weather and topographic conditions, without any ground infrastructure, rendering air navigation safer while reducing delays, diversions and flight cancellations.
Medieval alchemists sought to turn copper into gold. Even though modern-day chemists focus their research on different objectives, the compounds and materials they produce are truly awe-inspiring and are the bedrock upon which one of Europe’s most important, innovative and competitive industries is built. As the sector is now facing the realities of a new decade, the European Commission has taken initiatives to encourage all involved actors to join forces to boost the competitiveness of the European chemicals industry and to fully use its potential to resolve the societal challenges identified in the Europe 2020 strategy.
In its mission to draw more women into business, the European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors has developed in size, strength, reach and impact as it welcomes 120 new envoys. The initiative has been promoted by the European Commission as part of its strategy designed to boost the growth of SMEs across Europe.
European efforts to support enterprises, particularly smaller ones, and to promote industrial competitiveness can help achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Now the European Commission has called on stakeholders to help define a post-2013 framework for business support measures.
According to the new Innovation Union Scoreboard, the European Union is making progress in the innovation stakes but is losing ground to some of its rivals. This shows that EU Member States need to step up their efforts to boost their innovation potential so as to turn ideas into new jobs and sustainable growth. By joining forces under the umbrella of the Innovation Union flagship initiative, Europe should be able to achieve this.
Raw materials play a key role in industrial competitiveness, including in sectors developing environmentally friendly technologies, such as electric cars and photovoltaics. Building on previous initiatives, the European Commission has proposed a set of actions that seek to enhance the EU’s access to raw materials in its competitiveness, social and environmental dimensions.
The Enterprise Europe Network helps European SMEs to find business and technology partners and apply for EU funding. In addition, small businesses operating in 17 key industry sectors from retail to space technology can count on customised support from the Network. In these sectors, specialists from across Europe come together to organise brokerage and matchmaking events, using their expertise to find new markets and opportunities for companies.
In order to seize the opportunities opened up by internationalisation, enterprises need to take care of several aspects, not least the protection of their intellectual property rights. A new EU-US portal provides a wealth of useful information in this domain.
European consumers will soon have the convenience of a single charger for mobile phones produced by major manufacturers, thanks to new standards promoted by the European Commission. This agreement, involving 14 phone makers, will also benefit the environment by cutting waste.
While electronic invoicing promises significant time and cost savings to customers and businesses alike, some obstacles still hinder its full take-up. The European Commission has recently put forward a plan to help Europe to exploit fully the benefits e-invoicing can offer.
The single market is a key driver of growth and jobs, but it needs timely and effective implementation of relevant legislation in order to function smoothly. As guardian of the EU Treaties, the European Commission monitors the application of EU law and investigates any infringements committed, so as to ensure that citizens and businesses can fully enjoy the benefits of the Union's basic principles, such as the free movement of goods.
European space policy is at a turning point, with the Lisbon Treaty providing a new legal basis for action in this domain. Following a high-level conference in October, E&I magazine takes a tour of European space initiatives, a source of inspiration and innovation, and a powerful means of stimulating growth and improving the quality of people's lives.
The European Commission has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost Europe's innovative potential with the aim of turning ideas into jobs and green growth. The strategic approach streamlines efforts on key challenges, such as climate change, energy and food security, health and an ageing population. In addition, it seeks to improve co-operation between the public and private sectors, while removing bottlenecks which prevent ideas from getting to market.
A competitive industry is key if Europe is to remain a global economic leader. In order to promote a successful industrial policy in our fast changing world, the European Commission has set out a wide-ranging strategy that aims to maintain and support a strong, diversified and competitive industrial base in Europe. This industrial base should play an important role in meeting crucial objectives for the European economy, such as creating new jobs and promoting sustainable growth.
The Enterprise Europe Network's third annual conference in Antwerp, Belgium, rewarded four pioneering small businesses that have made outstanding progress in marketing innovative products across borders, thanks to partnerships set up with the Network's support.
Security research can improve both the safety of citizens and the competitiveness of industry. The EU has streamlined its efforts in this domain by devoting a specific strand of its Seventh Framework Programme for Research to this theme. Halfway through the implementation of the programme, a conference was held to take stock of the progress made and the future direction of security research in Europe.
The European Commission has launched an information campaign and a new website that explain the role and meaning of the CE marking both to consumers and professionals. It also provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide for professionals to how this familiar marking works and is implemented.
Business clusters have become one of the engines driving economic development and innovation in the EU today. However, a recent conference in Brussels concluded that to compete internationally, greater emphasis must be placed on excellence and quality. A series of EU initiatives seeks to achieve this, for instance, by strengthening the link between research and industry.
'Social tourism' may not be a concept that all Europeans are familiar with yet. But it is already a growing phenomenon, which the European Commission has been promoting for both its social and economic benefits. Now the EU is investing in new projects to develop cross-border low-season tourism opportunities. The Calypso initiative aims to open up new horizons for younger and older travellers, disabled people and low-income families, while creating new jobs and business opportunities during quieter times of the year.
While the EU is a global leader in many of the forest-based industries, innovative solutions are needed to maintain a high level of performance.. The European Commission is supporting the sector in its efforts to further develop its sustainability and competitiveness. Bio-refineries are an area of particular interest, as they can help to find new products that can also deliver on environmental objectives. Significant research activities have been launched in this field.
Despite its size and success, the European food industry is facing a number of challenges. The European Commission has been promoting initiatives to support the competitive position and sustainability of the sector, while ensuring public policy priorities, such as food safety and security of supply.
The European fashion industry faces fierce global competition and a more effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) can help the sector meet this challenge, by boosting its innovation capacity and competitiveness. Towards this goal, the European Commission has supported a pan-European initiative that seeks to promote seamless 'digital supply chains' for various industry and services sectors. The textile, clothing and footwear businesses have been among the first to benefit from this initiative.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) not only make up the vast majority of companies in the European Union, but they are also Europe's main job-creation engine. The annual report on European SMEs reveals that the economic crisis has caused this motor to stall temporarily, despite the fact that the EU and its Member States have improved the policy environment for SMEs.
Europe is the world's top tourist destination. In order to maintain this lead amid changing global circumstances, the European Commission has released a policy strategy which signposts 21 actions on the path to a more competitive and sustainable 21st-century European tourism sector.
Innovation plays a vitally important role in Europe's service sector, which is increasingly using research and development, patenting and new modes of operating to become more efficient and effective. Many in the sector, however, are still not innovating to their full potential and find that the innovation support they are offered does not correspond well to their needs. The Europe INNOVA annual partnering event looked at how innovation in services can best be supported.
Active in 19 countries outside the EU, the Enterprise Europe Network can help European small and medium-sized enterprises to internationalise beyond the single market, with all the benefits that can bring.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is good for society, the environment and business. That is why the European Commission is working to promote it in various industrial sectors.
A vast array of raw materials, including minerals and 'high-tech metals', play a key role in the development of industrial applications and advanced consumer products. According to a recent report by an expert group in the framework of the EU Raw Materials Initiative, Europe is in a vulnerable position when it comes to securing its supply of some of these raw materials: out of 41 minerals and metals analysed, the experts labelled 14 as critical. The results of the report will be used in the drafting of strategies to ensure access to raw materials which the European Commission will present in autumn 2010.
Internationalisation is vital for SMEs to prosper in an increasingly competitive world and could contribute to sustaining employment, according to a recent study. The survey maps the level of internationalisation of European SMEs, identifies the main barriers and advantages of internationalisation and proposes policy recommendations.
The flow of European talent across the Atlantic has long been an issue of concern. A recent event explored ways of building bridges between US-based European researchers and innovators in Silicon Valley with innovation support services in Europe so as to provide better assistance to start-ups by utilising expatriate networks.
This year's European Enterprise Awards rewarded national, regional and local initiatives which helped to build an entrepreneurial and business-friendly environment for European enterprises to exit the current crisis and chart a course to sustainable growth.
The EU's proposed Clean Vehicles Strategy will help enhance the sustainability and global competitiveness of the European automotive industry, while increasing the number of sustainable mobility options for European citizens and meeting their growing demand for more environmentally friendly cars.
Green technology and eco-innovative solutions are vital to the EU's future sustainability and competitiveness. The European Commission has launched a €35-million call for project proposals under its eco-innovation scheme, which aims to transform environmental challenges into new business opportunities.
How can Europe best equip the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills and knowledge they will need to contribute to economic prosperity? A report has been published assessing how entrepreneurship education is delivered across Europe; it also outlines strategies to improve the way the subject is taught.
Some of the world's most inventive minds were rewarded for their lasting contribution to technical and economic progress at the European Inventors of the Year awards 2010. The prizes were handed out on the sidelines of the European Patent Forum which focused on the technological and innovation dimension of the EU's commitment to mitigate climate change.
Market surveillance helps protect both consumers and businesses from unsafe products, by ensuring that all economic actors stick to the rules. That is why it is so important to the efficient functioning of the EU's single market and the recent entry into force of improved rules on market surveillance is welcome news.
The economic crisis has refocused attention on the central role of European industry and its critical importance for wealth creation in Europe. The need for Europe to demonstrate its strengths in capital intensive, high-skilled manufacturing industry has never been more important for growth and employment performance. At the end of April, the second high-level conference on industrial competitiveness launched a debate on this: what lessons should be learnt from the crisis and different policy options on how to help industry out of it were discussed.
E&I magazine meets Antonio Tajani, the EU's new Industry and Entrepreneurship Commissioner, and finds out about his priorities for his term in office, his ambition to marry industry with the environment, and how he intends to use his portfolio to help the European economy to be smart, green and inclusive.
EU Member States continue to improve their innovation performance, according to the 2009 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard, and the difference between the leaders and the catching-up countries is narrowing. Although the majority of available data predates the beginning of the recession, there are signs hinting that the good progress of recent years may now be faltering.
Hundreds of events are being organised in 37 countries for the European SME Week 2010, which will mainly take place between 25 May and 1 June, but will run throughout May and June. This initiative will showcase the support available to business at the European, national, regional and local level. Under the slogan 'Training business champions', it will also provide inspiration and practical help for the existing and future generations of entrepreneurs.
The success of the European economy is linked to information and communication technologies (ICT) which means that an ever-increasing number of e-skilled workers are required. If the EU is to be more competitive, then it must do everything in its power to ensure that highly skilled ICT jobs are filled. With this in mind, the first European e-Skills Week took place from 1 to 5 March 2010, with a large number of activities taking place across Europe. The initiative culminated on Friday 5 March in Brussels with the 'Go digITal' closing event, which looked back at the week's successes and forward to what more needs to be done.
In a new series, E&I magazine looks at how the Enterprise Europe Network helps European SMEs do business in the single market and beyond. The network's new website makes it easy for companies to contact their local branch and to reach new markets in 46 countries.
Now in its second year, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme has approved more than 800 applications from would-be entrepreneurs to spend time working with an experienced business person in another EU country. Sixty have already completed their placements and participants comment on their experience, with positive and interesting feedback. The new entrepreneurs are now well placed to do business within the wider EU market.
Europe's creative industries are becoming ever-more important to the rest of the economy. This broad sector covers a variety of disciplines, but its fragmentation is a challenge to policy-makers in terms of providing support. A recent workshop, attended by stakeholders and industry specialists, supported the creation of a European platform for the creative industries, while the European Commission is working to develop new tools that can help the sector realise its full potential.
The CE marking is familiar to millions of people across Europe. But what exactly is it and how does it benefit businesses and consumers?
Design can be a crucial building block of the EU's innovation policy and not only makes Europe more competitive but also helps tackle a wide array of socio-economic and environmental challenges, according to Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Irini Pari.
The winners of the first European Entrepreneurial Regions (EER) awards are a diverse group of territories - in terms of size, location and economic character - but they share one thing in common: a commitment to kindle and keep burning the light of entrepreneurship.
Galileo, the EU's strategic global navigation satellite system (GNSS), is set to be operational in 2014. This is good news for European enterprises, as Galileo's advanced technological features will make it a valuable tool for nearly all economic sectors. It is also good news for European citizens who will enjoy more accurate positioning technologies and greater safety in the air, on land and at sea.
Since its launch in 2007, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) has promoted several initiatives and produced important results: over 50 000 SMEs have already benefited from its guarantee scheme under the financial instruments and more than 11 000 SME co-operation agreements have been put forward. In 2010, the EIP will continue to support the Union's entrepreneurial and innovative capacity, including advising SMEs on intellectual property rights.
The European Union's drive to streamline and speed up company registration in order to promote entrepreneurship is paying dividends. European entrepreneurs can now start up a limited company in an impressive eight days on average, down from 22 days in 2001. But it does not end there: most Member States have now operational one-stop shops which have vastly streamlined the registration process.
In a modern knowledge-based economy, excellence in information and communication technologies (ICT) is a crucial factor in individual and collective success. The EU's drive to promote ICT skills, or e-Skills, has made some impressive progress. Further developing these skills throughout Europe can play an important role in meeting several objectives, from fostering innovation, competitiveness, growth and jobs to combating social exclusion. The first European e-Skills Week is due to take place in March 2010.
Personal protective equipment helps keep Europeans safe and healthy whether at work, home or play. EU legislation in this area ensures that these products give the highest level of protection against hazards, while generating fair competition within the industry.
Europe is already a world-beating knowledge factory, but now it needs to become an innovation dynamo. Employing an innovative consultation approach, an independent group of European business innovators has provided its perspective on future priorities for EU innovation policy.
Applicable from 29 December 2009, the revised Machinery Directive aims to consolidate the achievements of the original legislation in terms of the free circulation and safety of machinery in Europe, whilst improving its application. In the run up to the revisions coming into force, a stakeholder conference has been organised for 9 December 2009 so as to examine perspectives and challenges for the European machinery industry.
Following the recent Communication on Reducing Administrative Burdens in the EU, European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen reviews the main achievements in this area during his five years in office.
A recent progress report shows that the European Union is on track to meet its ambitious target of cutting red tape by a quarter by 2012, while preserving the effectiveness of European legislation in achieving its goals, such as protecting the public and ensuring fair competition.
The adoption of the revised Ecodesign Directive makes it possible to set requirements on all products which affect energy consumption during use, not just those which consume energy directly. Its implementation will ensure Europe continues to lead the world in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing a more sustainable future for industry and citizens alike.
Europe's urban planners have new tools to ensure that towns and cities grow and prosper not only sustainably but also safely. Urban Atlas, a digital mapping tool launched this year, offers reliable and comparable urban planning information delivered through the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security's (GMES) services. With full operability foreseen for 2011, the tool has potential applications in several fields, including a deeper understanding of climate change.
When you are a small business, who do you go to for help when your sights turn to bigger things? Success stories from Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland show how the Enterprise Europe Network is helping SMEs expand markets, find partners for innovation and obtain EU funding to develop their businesses.
Entrepreneurs are indispensable to Europe's economic growth and prosperity. But women are still held back from launching their own companies by a range of barriers including education, stereotypes, lack of confidence and access to start-up finance. The EU is working with Member States to overcome these obstacles, thus enabling women to express their potential to the full. A new network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors will help spread the message.
Nano-, bio- and other technologies hold enormous promise for Europe's future. In a recent Communication, the European Commission charts a way forward for these key enabling technologies, which will help enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of our economy.
What differences have companies observed when trying to access finance since the economic crisis hit? A recent Eurobarometer survey of companies tries to establish to what extent firms are now finding it harder to gain credit or investment. This survey is intended to be the first of a regular series charting the financial environment in different countries so as to identify key areas of action regarding businesses' access to finance.
Companies which wish to trade their goods between Member States too often find barriers in their way, despite free movement of goods being one of the Union's basic principles. A recent Regulation aims to help firms overcome those barriers, by setting out clear procedures for Member States to justify any refusal to allow a product onto their market. Moreover, product contact points have been set up in each Member State to help economic operators obtain all relevant information on the technical rules which may apply to their products.
Recent times have seen significant restructuring in Europe's shipbuilding industry, with a focus on high value-added products with which European firms are best placed to compete in the global economy. But the economic crisis means that global competition will get stronger, since fewer orders mean more yards bidding for each job. The European Commission has recently organised a High-level Meeting, to discuss how Europe's LeaderSHIP 2015 strategy for the industry needs to be reviewed to face the new challenges the crisis brings.
A number of EU-funded public-procurement networks will soon help public organisations acquire the latest cutting-edge goods and services on offer in lead markets; thereby serving citizens, stimulating innovation, tackling societal challenges and enhancing the EU's competitiveness at a time of global economic crisis.
The first wave of registrations under the REACH Regulation on chemicals need to be made as early as possible next year for the 30 November 2010 deadline. To ensure that the available hazard data on any given substance are collated and shared so that studies are not duplicated, especially animal tests, legal entities registering the same substance are required to share their information in a Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF). They need also to agree amongst themselves on who will be the 'lead registrant' submitting the joint dossier on safety information to the European Chemicals Agency.
European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, earlier this month presented a review of EU innovation policy. Enterprise & Industry magazine spoke to him about the importance of innovation and the efforts to make Europe a more innovative economy.
Reducing packaging waste is a key goal of EU environmental policy, and so increasing reuse or recycling of beverage containers is an important factor in reaching the Union's targets. The European Commission has adopted a Communication providing Member States and economic operators with a comprehensive overview of EU rules on deposit schemes. This aims to ensure that national collection schemes for used drink containers do not create disproportionate barriers to trade in the Single Market while meeting environmental protection targets.
The 'Think small first' principle is now at the heart of EU policy-making, but how is it applied in practice? The European Commission has identified concrete procedures to ensure the principle can be applied effectively and to learn from examples of SME-favourable initiatives throughout the Union.
The EU has updated the safety requirements for toys, ensuring high levels of protection continue to apply to all children using toys purchased in the Single Market. The updated Toys Safety Directive extends safety provisions to areas unknown when the old rules were agreed, and brings improvements to make enforcement across the Union more effective.
A new report examines the EU economy sector by sector, and country by country, to identify the major drivers, patterns and trends in European competitiveness.
Inside the world's patent databases is a fantastic range of inventions, many of which are fundamental to products and processes we take for granted. The European Inventor of the Year Awards, jointly organised by the European Commission and European Patent Office, recognise some ground-breaking work. This year's awards, made at a ceremony in Prague on 28 April, have gone to inventors of two medical treatments and to two inventors whose work is improving the environment.
Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen with representatives of Scarborough Renaissance Partnership, Jury's Grand Prize Winner. Entrepreneurs need a supportive environment. Recognising this, public authorities at all levels are, more than ever, developing policies and initiatives to make life easier for small business and therefore encourage more entrepreneurship. The European Enterprise Awards - this year's were recently presented in Prague - are organised to recognise the efforts made by authorities from all over Europe, and to demonstrate the results which can be achieved with such policies.
The issue of whether electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions are a human health problem is the subject of on-going research and public debate. The EU regularly reviews the scientific research to ensure legislation and recommendations provide a high level of protection and health safety for citizens.
The European Commission has launched the "Your World, Your Business" campaign to encourage young people in schools to debate the role of enterprises in helping society and protecting the environment. At a time when economic models are questioned, the campaign, based on a film in which young entrepreneurs show how their firms are helping society, seeks to inspire young people to set up responsible businesses themselves.
Late payment by trade customers is a considerable challenge facing millions of European businesses. New legislation proposed by the European Commission aims to ensure that bills are settled on time.
Design plays a key role in the development of new products and services, yet one which has so far attracted little attention from policy-makers developing innovation-support measures. In the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the European Commission has published a consultation document on the role of design in driving user-centred innovation, and is seeking comments to help shape possible future EU actions to support design.
After a scientific opinion confirmed the health risk of prolonged exposure to loud sounds from personal music players, the European Commission and Member States are now working with consumer and industry groups to establish how to better protect consumers.
Design management is a key driver of innovation and competitiveness and the EU-backed ADMIRE (Design Management Europe, DME) project is raising awareness of this important area and awarding organisations which use design management successfully. Significant commercial benefits can be gained with good practices in this area: an on-line tool helps businesses evaluate their own design-management performance, by providing practical feedback.
European research is finding novel ways to ensure interoperability of communication systems linking emergency and security services through wireless and radio technology. These are just some of the many initiatives in which the EU is investing as part of its efforts to respond to the security concerns of citizens, while boosting the competitiveness and innovativeness of European industry.
Recent progress reports reveal that the European Commission's 'Better Regulation' drive has delivered concrete benefits to EU businesses, while making legislation more effective. The Simplification strategy provides many examples in this domain.
The Innovation CIRCUS initiative employed fun activities to raise public awareness and appreciation of the innovative process through regional Innovation Weeks in several partner regions. Thanks to the success of the events, this idea is now going Europe-wide, with EU backing.
The latest European Competitiveness Report examines the factors which help or hinder firms' economic growth. Amongst its key messages is that companies which trade across borders are more productive than those which do all their business in their home country. A second message is that high-growth firms are found in all EU Member States and in all sectors of the economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from a wide range of EU, national and regional programmes and policies. The first European SME Week aims to raise awareness of the support available to business. Taking place from 6 to 14 May, it will see around 600 events held in 35 European countries. The Week will also promote entrepreneurship, and its value to society, to a broader public.
A programme giving officials from the Enterprise and Industry DG the chance to spend a week in a European SME is improving understanding on both sides: the visit offers officials a different perspective on their work, while companies can gain a better insight into EU policies.
The European Parliament elections in June are the opportunity for European citizens to choose their representatives, who will shape EU policies for the next five years. The new, or re-elected, Members of the European Parliament will have a major influence in determining how EU legislation supports entrepreneurs and enterprises. In this article, we hear from several MEPs on the key issues in the enterprise and industry field.
The 'Your Europe - Business' portal gives entrepreneurs and company managers easy access to information on all aspects of doing business in each EU Member State. Recently relaunched with an extended range of information, the site aims to help businesses take advantage of opportunities to trade and offer their services in the Single Market.
The latest European Innovation Scoreboard gives positive news for the Union as a whole and for most Member States. But whilst the situation is improving, there are still big gaps in performance with our main competitors. The parallel European Innovation Progress Report takes a more qualitative look at Europe's innovation policies, and provides pointers to successful measures in different Member States.
Experienced entrepreneurs who have "been there and done it" can provide valuable help for people starting out in business. By helping new or aspiring entrepreneurs spend working time with a host entrepreneur in another country, the EU's new Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme offers access to good advice. It also opens up prospects for new business relationships with partners from different countries in the Single Market.
Electronic invoicing is potentially fast, efficient and cheap - for customer and supplier alike. That is why a European Commission-appointed expert group is drawing up plans for a European e-invoicing framework.
Reflecting that 2009 is the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the annual work programme for the EU's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) is focusing on enhancing the innovativeness of European enterprises and improving the business environment for SMEs.
As small to medium-sized enterprises increasingly feel the crunch of the financial and economic crisis, a European Commission-hosted round table considered what the Union, Member States and other stakeholders can do to boost SMEs' access to credit.
A competitive European steel industry is crucial for the development of major industrial sectors, such as the automotive sector and construction. A recent study financed under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme sets out the steps industry and policy-makers need to take to keep the sector competitive in the global marketplace.
The recent studies on Europe's glass and ceramics industries, funded by the European Commission, will help business leaders and EU policy-makers address the challenges needed to keep the sectors globally competitive.
Europe's agri-food industry needs to adapt to a more globalised marketplace if it is to remain competitive, according to stakeholders attending a recent conference on the industry.
A new European Commission package of proposals prescribes a course forward for the pharmaceuticals sector, so as to address the challenges it is facing, while ensuring a high level of protection of public health.
In order to raise the public profile of creativity as a driver of innovation, the EU has declared 2009 the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, which will help increase the momentum of the Union's efforts to become a world-class knowledge-based economy.
A major plank of the European Commission's €200 billion Economic Recovery Plan is the emphasis on financial and administrative support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are key to rebooting Europe's economic growth and safeguarding jobs. The measures include providing SMEs with better access to loans and speeding up reforms under the Small Business Act.
A wide range of raw materials are essential inputs to European industry, yet in many cases enterprises are wholly dependent on foreign countries to obtain their supplies. The European Commission has launched its Raw Materials Initiative to ensure European industry does not suffer from a competitive disadvantage over companies based in resource-rich countries.
The Enterprise Europe Network offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe easy access to business and innovation support services. Covering 44 countries, local partners in the Network help SMEs to open up new business prospects in the European Union's Single Market. Since its launch in early 2008, the Network offers a broad range of integrated support services to help SMEs broaden their markets, extend their activities and explore new, innovative approaches.
The second conference of the Europe INNOVA community focused on the current financial turmoil and how accelerating innovation would help the EU to weather the storm and prosper.
Less than two years after its launch, the European Commission's Action Programme for Reducing Administrative Burdens has achieved some notable successes in cutting red tape for enterprises. Two sets of fast track actions identified early on demonstrate that administrative burdens can be reduced quickly in the EU - helping to cut costs for governments and businesses.
Limited energy supplies and environmental damage mean we have to develop sustainable energy-use policies. The EU's Sustainable Energy Europe campaign seeks to raise awareness of simple and cost-effective methods to counter the growing problems current patterns of energy consumption are bringing to Europe and the rest of the world, and the policies needed to put our energy use on a sustainable footing.
Since 1984, a preventive mechanism against barriers to trade within the EU has helped enterprises compete on a level playing field when selling to customers outside their home markets. Directive 98/34/EC has thus proven to be an essential contributor to the smooth functioning of the EU's internal market.
Twenty destinations across Europe have been recognised by the EDEN project for preserving their intangible heritage and developing their tourism sectors in a sustainable way. The recognition will boost the ability of the awarded destinations to attract tourists, helping to create more jobs in their communities.
The Kopernikus initiative - the new name for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) - has launched its first package of earth observation services for Europe's environmental and civil security needs at a forum in Lille.
European citizens expect the EU to help ensure their security. EU-funded research in this area creates the technology and know-how to make Europe more secure and boost the competitiveness of European industry.
The ATEX Directive on equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres has been fully in force since July 2003. As one of the New Approach directives it has removed obstacles to European trade while protecting those who work in environments where they may encounter airborne dust or flammable gases.
Finding finance is one of the greatest challenges facing SMEs, but the venture capital market in Europe still has a long way to go. One serious problem is the fragmentation of the market. The Commission has joined forces with Member States to help create cross-border venture capital funds and markets.
Respecting the environment can contribute to economic growth and should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat. That is the message of the European Commission's new communication on a sustainable industrial policy. Using natural resources more efficiently, and placing eco-friendly production at the heart of the European economy can do nothing but boost its competitiveness.
As its name suggests, IMP³rove helps boost the capacity of SMEs to manage innovation. This EU-funded project is developing a range of tools and practices to encourage SMEs to recognise the importance of innovation management and to apply its techniques to improve their firm's competitiveness.
The Electra industry policy group for the electrical and electronic engineering sector was established last year to address the EU's policy objectives on climate change and on boosting growth and creating better jobs. The group presented its 20 key recommendations on 25 June. Taking the lead in improving products' energy efficiency will boost Europe's economy, saving every consumer money in the long term and allowing everybody to contribute to reducing environmental damage.
If the European Union is to meet the "growth and jobs" objectives of the Lisbon strategy, it must foster a more enterprise-friendly culture. The crucial role of education in promoting more entrepreneurial attitudes is now widely recognised and an ongoing EU project is looking in depth at how to foster greater entrepreneurial awareness in higher education curricula.
Alongside the growth in conventional tourism there is an increasing trend for social tourism - the provision of leisure and learning breaks for groups in society such as the elderly, youths and persons with disabilities. This type of tourism brings advantages to the economy and the travellers themselves, and the European Union is supporting initiatives to make tourism available to all European citizens.
Françoise Le Bail, Deputy Director-General in the Enterprise and Industry DG, is the European Commission's SME Envoy. The Small Business Act adds a new dimension to the Envoy's work.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of Europe’s economy. Creating more new firms and nurturing them is essential if Europe is to maintain its competitive position in the global economy, and continue to ensure its citizens benefit from ever-improving quality of life. The European Commission has adopted the Small Business Act, with the aim of ensuring public authorities – from the Union down to regional and local government across Europe – redouble their efforts to build a society in which small enterprises can thrive.
The European Commission has put forward proposals for a new car safety package which will simplify EU regulations in this area and greatly enhance road safety through the introduction of a number of mandatory new safety requirements. It will also help improve environmental protection through reduced CO2 emissions and lower levels of noise pollution.
Globalisation is both an opportunity and a threat for Europe's SMEs, whose capacity to operate on an international level will determine their long-term competitiveness. Yet, the vast majority of European SMEs continue to limit their operations to their own country. A recent EU report seeks to identify the factors which impede, or support, the internationalisation of SMEs in Europe.
Chemical substances already on the market must be pre-registered by 1 December 2008 with the European Chemicals Agency if they are to continue being sold after 1 June this year. The requirement comes from the new REACH Regulation designed to assess and manage the hazards to health and the environment posed by all new and existing chemicals.
China is a major trading partner for the EU and its biggest source of imports. More and more European companies are thus naturally finding themselves operating on the Chinese market - but many are worried about intellectual property rights (IPR) issues. The new China IPR SME Helpdesk aims to help Europe's SMEs be better prepared for business with their Chinese partners.
The EU has transformed space into a strategic policy area. The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative is among its major success stories and is reaping a wealth of environmental and social benefits, as well as stimulating space research and generating downstream commercial applications.
It is widely recognised that enterprise spirit is a strong driving force for any economy, yet Europeans are still reluctant to embrace the entrepreneurial culture. Recent EU-funded studies have looked at the potential role of the audiovisual media, especially television, in promoting a more positive attitude to entrepreneurship in Europe.
EU legislation, in place for three decades, ensures that consumers throughout the Union can use cosmetic products safely. Although the system works well, the Commission, in view of the innovative nature of the sector, has proposed rules to increase safety, while cutting unnecessary burdens for Member States and industry. In addition, a new database has been launched to facilitate stakeholders' access to information on cosmetic ingredients.
In the European business world, 'bankruptcy' is often synonymous with 'failure'. This attitude makes Europeans rather risk averse. As many of the best and most profitable business ideas failed on the first attempt, it makes sense, if good entrepreneurs do not at first succeed to let them try again. A new European Commission website is helping raise awareness of this issue.
The European Commission has launched a series of one-day events aimed at spreading the word about the new EU financial instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises. Funding for SMEs is available, in particular within the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), the Seventh Research and Development Framework Programme (FP7) and the Structural Funds (including the Jeremie facility). The kick-off event was hosted in March by Slovenia, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
With its rich and diverse history, culture and natural beauty, Europe is the world's top tourist destination. In collaboration with Member States, the Commission is working to maintain the EU's pole position and do so sustainably.
Clusters enable companies, research organisations and regions to join forces in the innovation stakes, but this requires an enabling environment. An EU Presidency conference in Stockholm reviewed the efforts which public authorities - at regional, national and EU level - can take to support and encourage the development of clusters. The conference was a major step in the preparation of a Commission Communication on cluster policy, planned for later in 2008.
As the prices of fossil fuels continue to set new highs and the potential effects of climate change are increasingly understood, environmental issues are taking centre stage in enterprise policy. It was therefore fitting that the theme of this year's European Business Summit, which took place in Brussels on 21-22 February, was 'Greening the Economy: New Energy for Business'. Organised by Business Europe and the Federation of Belgian Enterprises, the congress saw business leaders and politicians, including José Manuel Barroso and Günter Verheugen, come together to consider ways in which European industry can operate in a more eco-friendly manner, whilst improving its competitiveness on the global market.
In the course of 2008, many of the main features of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) will become fully operational as, for example, preparations are completed to set up the new Enterprise Europe Network. Furthermore, support to the well-known financial instruments provided by the European Investment Fund will continue and a range of new initiatives will be launched, in particular aimed at boosting eco-innovation.
The European Commission has agreed a new 19-point action plan which seeks to inject an extra dose of competitiveness and sustainability into Europe's world-leading forest-based industries.
The latest European Innovation Scoreboard, the widely respected benchmark of innovative performance, has found that Member States are not only continuing to close the transatlantic innovation gap, but their performance is converging, with stragglers mounting a concerted effort to catch up.
A package of reforms will remove a host of barriers hindering manufacturers and traders of goods in the EU's Internal Market. After the European Parliament adopted at first reading the package on 21 February, the Commission has been working to ensure the regulatory changes will effectively deliver the desired improvements: increased product safety for consumers and reduced administrative burdens for traders.
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