The European Commission has made a number of initiatives and programmes available to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – widely recognised as being the backbone of the European economy – continue to thrive during this time of financial hardship.

Preparation and demonstration of multi-KETs pilot lines actions

Methodology, work plan and roadmap for cross-cutting KETs activities in Horizon 2020

Can public sector innovation generate growth? This question is of major significance given the current economic situation, where effective ways of creating growth are being explored. A recent survey provides interesting data from the business perspective on this topic, with many respondents putting improvements in public services for business down to innovation. There is also a high demand for public sector innovation and later this year the European Commission will pilot a Public Sector Innovation Scoreboard to help Member States exchange good practices.

In these difficult times of increasing unemployment, Europe needs more entrepreneurs. Whilst actually only 11% of European citizens are entrepreneurs, 45% would like to be their own boss if they could.

Thirty-seven examples of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have achieved success on the international stage have just been unveiled in a publication as part of the European Commission’s drive to encourage entrepreneurship in Europe. 'The Secret of Success 2012-13' is a flagship publication for the European SME Week, which will be held from 15 to 21 October 2012. One of the aims of this event will be to promote entrepreneurship and inspire more European citizens to consider it as a viable career option.

Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) from both sides of the Atlantic should better profit from increased trade between the US and the EU. In the framework of the Transatlantic Economic Council stakeholders and government representatives agreed in Rome on 12 July 2012 to facilitate SMEs presence in both continents.

e-Skills: European guidelines and quality labels for new curricula

If you are considering entering these markets or expanding your activities there, the European Commission offers two valuable programmes to help you to do so. Previous participants explain how their companies benefited from the Executive Training Programme (ETP) and the EU Gateway Programme.

e-Skills: monitoring and benchmarking policies and partnerships

e-Skills: the international dimension and the impact of globalisation

Big multinational companies tend to secure the lion’s share of Europe’s media coverage, with lots of articles being written about their activities and plans. However, the reality is that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a crucial driver for our economy, representing more than 98% of European businesses. SMEs can benefit from EU support in different forms and a recent guide presents a useful overview of the main opportunities available to them.

Until recently, fragmentation of the European defence market and divergent national approaches caused many problems for the European defence industry, which still operates in a highly regulated environment at a national level.

The European Commission has today called for a European effort to boost Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The global market in KETs, which comprises micro- and nanoelectronics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, photonics, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing systems, is forecast to grow from € 646 Billion to over € 1 Trio by 2015.

The European Commission is developing ways for a radical reshape of European industry so as to boost sustainable growth. As part of that effort, it has launched a public consultation asking stakeholders for their input into a mid-term review of its industrial policy communication. This review will focus on developing a limited number of new initiatives that can deliver substantial results in the short to medium term.

The European Commission has today decided to request Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, and the United Kingdom to implement EU rules on defence products (Directive 2009/43/EC) into national law. The implementation deadline was 30 June 2011.

The objective of the activities to be funded by this call for proposals is to contribute to the availability of reliable statistics on social enterprises at national and European levels and to identify countries interested in collecting this information.

To improve access of EU industry to raw materials at an affordable price, the European Commission wishes to intensify cooperation with Greenland benefitting both sides, such as joint infrastructures and investments or capacity building in exploration and exploitation of raw materials.

The European Commission invites you to provide feedback on discussion papers about the corporate responsibility

Daniel Calleja Crespo is the European Commission's SME Envoy, ensuring an active interface with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).