Hussein Sattaf

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Alliance of EU business support networks
Hussein Sattaf European Commission Enterprise DG
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EU Business Support Networks

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EU Business Support Networks
The beginning

• Created mid to end 1980s with support from the
  European Commission
• Purpose was to respond to market failures and
  carry out policy priorities
• Main target group Small Medium Enterprises (SME)
  and Start-ups

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EU Business Support Networks
Characteristics

• Initiated by the European Commission
• Joint Ventures Partnership between EU and
  regional business intermediaries
• Network Effect better services and full
  geographical coverage

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Initiative of Commissioner Liikanen
What ?

• Bring all Commission Services around the table
• Develop a real concept for co-operation between
  Networks

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Initiative of Commissioner Liikanen
Why ?

• A  Jungle  of EU support services Difficult to
  find the right source for my needs
• Heavy management for each network at EU level
  Need for better co-ordination and
  cost-effectiveness

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Initiative of Commissioner Liikanen
Result
Communication Rationalisation and Streamlining
of Community business support networks (February
2001)

• Create a Network of Networks
• One common policy from Brussels

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Initiative of Commissioner Liikanen
OPET Organisations for the Promotion of Energy
Technologies
IRC Innovation Relay Centres
enterprises
enterprises
BRE Bureau de Rapprochement des Entreprises
EIC Euro Info Centres
enterprises
BIC Business and Innovation Centres
enterprises
BC-NET Business Co-operation Network
MED Business Centers
enterprises
enterprises
EBIC European Business Information Centres
EURO CENTRES/ COOPECO
enterprises
enterprises
enterprises
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Initiative of Commissioner Liikanen
OPET Organisations for the Promotion of Energy
Technologies
IRC Innovation Relay Centres
enterprises
enterprises
BRE Bureau de Rapprochement des Entreprises
EIC Euro Info Centres
enterprises
BIC Business and Innovation Centres
enterprises
BC-NET Business Co-operation Network
MED Business Centers
EBIC European Business Information Centres
enterprises
enterprises
EURO CENTRES/ COOPECO
enterprises
enterprises
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The Modified Approach
Communication Follow-up Report (March 2003)
Keywords

• Alliance
• Co-operation
• Up-Stream Approach

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b2europe
Keywords

• Alliance A new name for the initiative

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b2europe
Keywords

• Co-operation
• Focus on Common Tools and activities
• Reflected in the Work Plan 2004

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b2europe
Keywords

• Up-Stream Approach
• Building regional b2europe groups
• Expand the EIC Local Co-operation initiative

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Local Co-operation
What and Why ?

• Building relations between business support
  services at the local level
• Facilitating the access for SMEs to support
  services
• Help clients to know who does what and
  avoid duplication of services

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Local Co-operation
How ?

• EICs receive funding to start round tables
• EICs propose common projects with their partners
• EICs carry out projects within one year

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Local Co-operation
Results

• More than 1 500 organisations involved
• More than 260 projects carried out
• More than 50 regions in 21 countries covered (11
  EICs in Italy)

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Local Co-operation
Results

• Common web site portals (like EurNet)
• Signposting Agreements
• Common SME information days and conferences
• Common leaflets and brochures

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b2europe in 2004
What next?

• Work Plan 2004
• Steering Group of 4 Networks IRC, EIC, BIC,
  COOPECO
• Regional Agreements

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b2europe in 2004
Principles

• Improve knowledge on  who does what 
• Define conditions for b2europe membership
• Facilitate contacts between the networks
• Involve the stakeholders

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b2europe in 2004
Work Plan 2004

• Mapping of Services
• Mapping of Regions
• Charter and Code of Conduct
• Signposting
• Extranet Web Site
• Communication and PR

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b2europe in 2004
Mapping of Services

• A list of all public services offered
• Starts from client needs
• Three levels of specialisation
• Each regional group can adapt the table
• Can help to fill gaps in services

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b2europe in 2004
Mapping of Regions

• Identifies the core group of networks in a region
• All IRC Partners included
• Only active COOPECOs
• Can help to fill gaps in services

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b2europe in 2004
Charter and Code of Conduct

• Defines the principles of co-operation
• Defines the action lines
• Is the expression of a commitment

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b2europe in 2004
Signposting

• Signpost a client to the best source for his
  problem
• Ensures the so-called Multiple Entry Point
• Ensures that Quality measure apply

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b2europe in 2004
Extranet Web Site

• A web site exclusively for b2europe members
• Calendar of Events
• Directory with all addresses
• Latest information about b2europe and Enterprise
  Policy

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b2europe in 2004
Communication and PR

• A Communication Strategy for b2europe
• Common Promotion of EU business support networks
• b2europe Logo exclusively for members who signed
  the Charter

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b2europe in 2004
By the end of this year

• Many regional b2europe groups
• Many signatures under the b2europe Charter
• Involvement of regional authorities
• Positioning of b2europe as an integral part of
  regional business support strategy

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b2europe in 2004

• An alliance of EU networks with focus on services
  for companies on European issues
• A quality sign for a wide range of European
  services for companies that can be easily
  accessed via each participating network
  (multiple-entry point system)
• A coherent Commission policy vis-à-vis business
  support networks
• A global response to market failure
• An instrument to foster local action towards
  Lisbon Objectives
• A value Put Clients first

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Airlines Transport network

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EU Centres - Business Support Network