Public procurement, both inside and outside the EU, can generate considerable business for European SMEs, but many European companies are not yet taking full advantage of the opportunities available to them in non-EU countries. Access for European businesses to these non-EU public procurement markets was negotiated by the EU through the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) or via bilateral free trade agreements. According to the WTO Secretariat, the international business opportunities covered by the GPA amount to $1.7 trillion annually.

Projects that help SMEs take advantage of these opportunities can contribute to economic growth, as well as support the internationalisation of European companies and their global competitiveness. These goals are especially important in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Up to five projects will be selected. They will benefit from an EU grant of up to a maximum of €400,000 covering 75% of eligible costs.

The submission deadline for this call is 15 September 2020, 17.00 (CEST).

More information

Full call for proposals: Supporting European SMEs to participate in public procurement outside the EU