Non-financial assistance

SMEs can also benefit from a series of non-financial assistance measures in the form of programmes and business support services.

General support

European Portal for SMEs

This recently redesigned portal aims to provide easy access to information on all European Union policies and initiatives of relevance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Your Europe – Business

For each step in the life-cycle of a business from its creation to the decision to stop, the Your Europe - Business provides practical information on procedures and opportunities in the EU as a whole as well as in the individual Member States.

Enterprise Europe Network

With more than 570 member organisations from across 45 countries, the Enterprise Europe Network provides help and advice for small firms in EU matters, including accessing markets and applying for funding - the Enterprise Europe Network offers personal support through a network of local contact points. An online database also provides B2B contacts and information on funding.

Access to finance website

What type of finance is available to get an innovative small business off the ground? How can small businesses increase their opportunities to obtain finance from banks, guarantee providers and venture capital funds? What does the EU do to stimulate the provision of finance for SMEs? This website of the European Commission’s Department for Enterprise and Industry (DG ENT) explains the ins and outs of SMEs' access to finance.

On-line problem solving

SOLVIT

SOLVIT is an on-line problem solving network in which EU Member States work together to solve problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities. It is a free of charge alternative dispute resolution mechanism which works much more quickly than making a formal complaint.

There is a SOLVIT centre in every European Union Member State (as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) to help with handling complaints from both citizens and businesses. They are part of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions to problems within ten weeks.

Innovation and Research Networks

SME Techweb

The European Commission’s research portal for SMEs, provides information and resources for technology oriented SMEs wanting to apply for research funding through the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7). Topics include a step-by-step guide on how to participate in these programmes and how to submit a proposal. Relevant publications and links to other SME related support and information websites are also available.

EUREKA ("E!")

EUREKA, a network for market orientated R&D, is a pan-European organisation for research and development funding and coordination. It unites 38 member countries and the EU. It promotes international, market-oriented research and innovation through the support they offer to small and medium-sized enterprises, large industry, universities and research institutes.

The funding of individual R&D projects oriented to the market represents by far the core activity of the EUREKA network. In addition, EUREKA aims to create clusters and thematic networks, and its most recent initiative (Eurostars – EUREKA) targets the funding and support of SMEs

A network of National Information Points (NIPs) was set up to provide industries and research institutes with an easy interface and National Project Coordinators (NPCs) facilitate the setting-up and running of a project and are responsible for project generation, national and international support and follow-up.

Eurostars-EUREKA

The first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to research-performing SMEs. It aims to stimulate SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.

Research Enquiry Service

Any questions about European research? Struggling to find your way around the Research Framework Programme? Get in touch with experts and ask your questions directly via the online mail form.

SMEs go Health

The "SMEs go Health" project ended on 31 January 2010 but continues as a network of experts and NCPs in 30 countries. The members of this new consortium continue their support of SMEs and academia. Its experts help research centres, universities and innovative SMEs to find project partners, build or participate in European R&D projects in the EU-funded "Health" thematic priority of FP7.

SM-BIO-POWER

The FP7 project SM-BIO-POWER empowers biomedical engineering SMEs to participate in EU research. The EU-funded consortium of ten partners helps SMEs get their voices heard at the European Commission and gain international visibility for their company. SM-BIO-POWER also provides information on the latest trends in EU support for biomedical engineering research together with best practice examples from other SMEs in EU projects. An online helpdesk is available for registered users as is personal assistance in identifying funding opportunities and project partners. Personalised updates include selected information such as call alerts, partner searches and consortia and project opportunities.

Associations

EUROCHAMBERS

EUROCHAMBRES is the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and forms one of the key pillars of business representation to the European institutions. It voices the interests of over 19 million member enterprises in 45 European countries through a network of 2000 regional and local Chambers represented by 45 national and one transnational organisations. More than 90 % of these enterprises are Small or Medium Enterprises. Chamber members employ over 120 million employees.

UAPME

As the European SME umbrella organisation, UEAPME incorporates 82 member organisations from 34 countries consisting of national cross-sectorial SME federations, European branch federations and other associate members, which support the SME family. The organisation represents more than 12 million enterprises, which employ around 55 million people across Europe.