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SME Advisory Group - helping SME's think BIG
Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the largest and most dynamic sector of Europe's economy. Representing 99 % of all enterprises in Europe, it is no surprise that the European Union (EU) is looking to SMEs to boost economic growth and employment. The SME Advisory Group for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) plays a key role in helping the EU encourage SMEs to conduct research into developing new products, processes and services. Rudolf Lichtmannegger, Chairman of the SME Advisory Group, tells us how...
In 2007, 19 people from research and development companies and institutions, as well as financial organisations and associations representing SME interests throughout Europe, were called together by the Commissioner for European research, Janez Potočnik, to form the SME Advisory Group for FP7. Among them were a Polish university lecturer, a manager of a food and biotechnology institute in Sweden and the group's chairman Rudolf Lichtmannegger, who is also the R&D policy advisor for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Their goal? To act as advocates for SMEs in fostering EU research and development support, in addition to offering the Commission advice on how to make it easier for SMEs to participate in FP7. This would improve the SMEs' growth potential, help them tap into new markets and render them more competitive.
"All members of the group are driven and motivated professionally to help SMEs do better," said Mr Lichtmannegger. "We all feel a need to support companies in gaining a better idea regarding what they're capable of achieving in the R&D area on a European level."
The role of the SME Advisory Group
The group's core responsibility is to advise the Commission on how to implement the support measures that enable SMEs to undertake research projects funded by FP7. In particular, the group focuses on providing the Commission with advice on financing parameters, evaluation criteria and activities to raise awareness of SME participation. The group also reviews the Commission's progress on implementing support measures and provides feedback from SMEs where appropriate.
"We try to make sure that the measures the Commission takes are appropriate, well structured and focused on the needs of SMEs. This way the SMEs can identify with the content of a call for a research project proposal," said Mr Lichtmannegger.
Members meet four times a year, debating such questions as: 'How can we improve the FP7 focus on SMEs?', 'How can the Commission tailor FP7 to more closely suit SME needs?' and 'What language can be used in calls for proposals to encourage SME participation?'
"Participation has improved, but it could be better," said Mr Lichtmannegger. "If FP7 is to have a structural and economic impact, it needs participation from a variety of different SMEs, start-ups, science-based companies and traditional sectors with R&D needs and potential."
Looking ahead
With the FP7 approaching its mid-term review, the SME Advisory Group has started working on the second half of the programme. Discussions have concentrated on measures to improve SME participation in the Cooperation programme, considering the majority of FP7 funding is channelled through this category. There are 10 thematic fields in the Cooperation category, and calls for proposals for research projects in these fields are published on a regular basis.
The group is also lobbying the Commission to provide more continuity in its calls for proposals. "We're also trying to convince the Commission that there needs to be continuity in the calls for proposals for the benefit of SMEs because a regular pattern of calls helps SMEs and SME associations to plan their European R&D projects and consortia, and provides a measure of certainty with respect to the availability of funding," said Mr Lichtmannegger.
"We've been trying to encourage the programme managers of the different thematic fields to make sure the calls they publish are fit for SMEs," said Mr Lichtmannegger. "SMEs, though small, are very often by far the most innovative actors in the business sector. Unlike larger companies, who are often not willing to bet the whole company on an innovation project, SMEs are prepared to say: 'We're new in this field, we'll give it a go'."
- Contact:
Rudolf Lichtmannegger
Chairman of the SME Advisory Group
Tel. +43 590 900 4411