A new EU network providing

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EU Conference Warsaw, Poland, 23/23 May 2007
A new EU network providing services in support
of business and innovation Hussein Sattaf,
Enterprise and Industry DG, Unit
E2 hussein.sattaf_at_ec.europa.eu
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The Lisbon Goal
Growth and Jobs
Internal market
Industrial policy
Inno-vation policy
Better regulation
SME policy
Budgetary programmes
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Competitiveness and Innovation Programme
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pillar

• Objectives
• Access to finance
• SME cross-border cooperation
• Innovation and eco-innovation
• Entrepreneurship and innovation culture
• Policy development
• Main instruments
• Financial instruments (equity and loan
  guarantees)
• Business support services
• Projects (clusters, regional innovation)
• Analysis and monitoring
• Policy exchange

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New business support network

• A strong European business support network
  providing integrated services to SMEs (Article
  21/CIP)
• Build on the expertise on Euro Info Centres (EIC)
  and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC)
• A Call for Proposals was published to establish
  the new network

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What will the new network offer for SMEs?

• Information, Feedback and Business Cooperation
  services (current EIC services)
• Innovation, technology and Knowledge transfer
  services (current IRC services)
• Services encouraging the participation of SMEs in
  the Community RTD Framework Programme

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Services of the new network in more detail

• Information about EU internal market and
  signposting to tender opportunities
• Inform SMEs how to apply to EU programmes
• Measure the impact on SMEs of existing
  legislation
• Make sure SMEs are heard when new policies are
  made
• Assist SMEs to develop cross border activities
• Support SMEs to find relevant partners through
  special tools

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Services of the new network in more detail

• Information about EU innovation-related policies,
  legislation, and support programmes
• Disseminate and exploit research results
• Providing brokerage services for technology and
  knowledge transfer
• Help SMEs to innovate
• Facilitating linkage to other innovation services
  including intellectual property related services

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Services of the new network in more detail

• Raising awareness among SMEs regarding the
  Community Framework Programme for Research and
  Technological Development (RTD)
• Helping SMEs to identify their RTD needs and find
  relevant partners
• Assisting SMEs in the preparation and
  coordination of project proposals for the
  participation in the Community Framework
  Programme for RTD

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What is the structure of the new network?

• Hosted by business intermediaries (Chambers,
  Development Agencies, etc.)
• Consortia to cover all services in a wider region
• No wrong door concept

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What is the legal and financial framework?

• 6 year Partnership Framework Agreement
• A first 3 year Specific Agreement ()
• Estimated Community contribution 320 Million
  for 2007 2013
• Co-financing rate up to 60 of eligible costs

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Summary The main characteristics of the new
network

• Increased professionalism of the new network
• Management through an Executive Agency
• Political responsibility remains in DG ENTR
• An optimised geographical coverage
• Better access for SMEs via the No wrong door
  concept
• Reduced administrative burden through consortia
  option and multi-annual agreements
• Increased Community contribution for the network