SMEs Guides

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Access to finance by Ina Dimireva — last modified 13 June 2012, 00:22 CET

Entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to only quite limited financial resources. To help them, France offers many sources of financial support.

Access to finance by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 June 2012, 00:28 CET

An overview of the finance programmes for small and medium businesses in Denmark.

Single Market Award 2009 - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 14 October 2009, 19:21 CET

On Wednesday 14 October, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission jointly presented the Single Market Award for the first time. The Award highlights the importance of the free movement principles of EU's Internal Market and went to Aurora de Freitas of Portugal. Since 2004 Ms de Freitas has been lobbying French administrations to make it easier for Portuguese citizens to be granted residence permits in France.

Financing Programmes for SMEs by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 October 2009, 21:30 CET

The European Commission's DG ECFIN oversees programmes which provide access to finance for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The day-to-day management of these activities is handled by major International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

The Euro - Business Benefits by Ina Dimireva — last modified 02 October 2009, 21:35 CET

In addition to cutting costs and risk, the European Union's single currency benefits business by encouraging investments and bringing more certainty to business planning – thus allowing businesses to be more effective overall.

Cooperation in Tourism by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 April 2010, 12:40 CET

The need to enhance the understanding and visibility of tourism being a wide and multisectoral phenomenon, requires a strong cooperation with other organisations, public administrations, destinations, stakeholders, academic world, etc. The Commission is already collaborating with the different services. Given that at present the Community has no direct tourism competence, a number of areas in other European policies have a considerable and even growing impact on tourism.

Cooperation in Tourism by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 April 2018, 20:37 CET

The European Commission works on a number of initiatives to diversify and improve the range of tourism products and services available in areas such as sustainable tourism, accessible tourism, tourism for seniors, and low-season tourism.

eBusiness by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 September 2009, 19:34 CET

By enabling companies to sell to consumers and work with partners without being physically present, the European Commission sees eBusiness as being essential to helping European companies - particularly SMEs - take advantage of the Single Market, driving prices down and bringing "Europe's Best" to the world.

SMEs in EU Health Research by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 September 2009, 16:10 CET

Research-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises - SMEs are the main economic drivers of healthcare, biotechnology and medical technologies. High-tech SMEs in the health and biotechnology sectors are expected to play a prominent role in FP7 Health theme funded projects.

A European Private Company Statute by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 July 2011, 18:16 CET

Progress must be made to improve access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Single Market and to promote their development in the European Union. The European Council proposes the adoption of a European Private Company Statute enabling companies to be set up across the Community, under simplified conditions.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 August 2009, 23:05 CET

The European Commission's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme is one of the specific programmes under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). With this programme, the Commission seeks to support innovation and SMEs in the EU.

More Risk Capital: equity funding by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 August 2009, 23:14 CET

Innovative growth-oriented businesses need equity investment. The European Commission in particular is seeking to improve the functioning of the EU's single market for equity investments.

Borrowing Environment in the EU by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 August 2009, 23:07 CET

Most businesses in Europe rely on bank loans for their external financing. However, borrowing can be difficult for SMEs - particularly if they lack collateral or do not have a long enough track record or credit history. For this reason, governments and other public authorities often facilitate small businesses' access to lending via various loan and guarantee schemes.

EU Funding for SMEs by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 August 2009, 23:10 CET

To facilitate small businesses growth and development, the EU has set out a comprehensive system of financial policies and instruments to support smaller businesses - SMEs - with the most appropriate sources and types of financing at each stage of their life.

The "Small Business Act" for Europe by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 August 2009, 23:12 CET

Adopted in June 2008, the "Small Business Act" for Europe (SBA) reflects the European Commission’s political will to recognise the central role of SMEs in the EU economy and for the first time puts into place a comprehensive SME policy framework for the EU and its Member States.

Funding opportunities in the EU pharmaceutical industry by Ina Dimireva — last modified 09 July 2009, 16:01 CET

Expand your business in the pharmaceutical industry through the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme developed by the European Commission to support innovation and SMEs in the EU.

Shared Commitment for Employment - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 03 June 2009, 18:58 CET

The EU will make available EUR 19 billion of planned European Social Fund expenditure to support people hit by the economic crisis. Together with the European Investment Bank Group and other partners, a new EU loans facility will be set up to provide micro-credits for those who would usually have difficulty accessing the necessary funds to set up a business or a micro-enterprise.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 17 March 2009, 01:14 CET

Corporate social responsibility is companies acting voluntarily and beyond the law to achieve social and environmental objectives during the course of their daily business activities. The European Commission is promoting inclusive and good quality employment practices within enterprises, particularly within the supply chain and down to the respect for human rights in the international context.

Financial Reporting: burden reduction for micro-entities - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 26 February 2009, 18:09 CET

The European Commission has put forward a new proposal which would allow EU Member States to completely abolish financial reporting obligations for the EU's smallest companies. In a deteriorating economic climate, the new rules are designed to alleviate the regulatory burden on micro entities. The aggregate administrative burden reduction potential is estimated at around EUR 6.3 billion. The proposal, which was flagged in the European Economic Recovery Plan in November 2008, now passes to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for consideration.

EU support to fight the crisis in the automotive sector by EUbusiness — last modified 25 February 2009, 23:24 CET

The European automotive sector, with 12 million jobs depending on this strategic industry, has been hit particularly hard by the current economic crisis with new registrations down by 20 per cent and gloomy expectations for 2009. Due to its close links to other sectors and the wide spread of supply industry and vehicle trade, the negative economic effects reaches out to millions of employees in all EU Member States. In today's communication, the European Commission defends a proactive stance to support industry in their efforts to withstand the crisis, soften negative effects and ensure long-term competitiveness. Building on the European Economic Recovery Plan of 2008, it sets various measures to improve access to credit, to clarify the rules for granting state aid in the particular circumstances, to boost the demand for new vehicles through coordinated national action, to minimise social costs and retain the skilled workforce and to defend fair competition in open markets. The Commission suggests a new partnership with industry, trade unions and EU Member States in the context of the CARS 21 process to accompany the common crisis response.