The EBSOMED project aimed to Enhancing Business Support Organisations and Business Networks in the Southern Neighbourhood. The ultimate goal of this 5-year project was to promote the Mediterranean Business Ecosystem by boosting investment and job creation in the region with a view to economic growth. This has been done through the strengthening of the capacity building of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in the Southern Neighbourhood countries. EBSOMED was co-financed by the European Union and coordinated by BUSINESSMED (Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises). More than thirty organisations from 26 countries were associated to the project.

More specifically, EBSOMED intended to increase the overall capacity management of BSOs in the Euro-Mediterranean region by improving the services offered to SMEs. 

In this video, Henrike Trautmann from DG NEAR underlined that "empowerment", "networks" and "tools" are the three key words to describe the main outcome of this project. Over the past 5 years EBSOMED has  developed linkages and network among Southern Neighbourhood countries, business supports organisations and EU counterparts. It was also a great support to private sector in increasing their access to finance.

EBSOMED is coming to an end, but leaving  a big legacy behind, capacity building modules and tools as the country business country desk platform which in the future will facilitate business linkages. Henrike Trautmann also thanked the EBSOMED team and reiterated the EU support to the private sector of Southern Neighbourhood countries. Putting ahead the need to build on lessons learned from EBSOMED and other programs targeting Southern Neighbourhood countries.

To have more information on EBSOMED project please click here.