Supporting SME and Enterprise Development through EU Programmes and Policies

For more information about the activity, please contact:

Description:
Around 99% of all European enterprises are SMEs; they play an important role in promoting growth, reinforcing competitiveness and boosting employment. Europe must therefore develop a more entrepreneur-friendly environment in order to also achieve the objectives of the Lisbon European Council. Understanding the opportunities Europe offers for SME development and for its life cycle is crucial for policy makers and public administrations, whose task it is to set the right framework for SMEs.
Indeed, SME competitiveness can only be enhanced if action is taken in a vast number of policy fields, such as: efforts towards implementing the newest Small Business Act and the SME Performance Review; plans to develop appropriate business support services; efforts to cut red tape; and plans to develop a sustainable energy policy.

Objectives:
This seminar focuses on the different aspects of enterprise development aiming to provide participants with a clear understanding of aspects such as: how to make use of EU programmes; the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development or the Structural Funds; the financial instruments of the EIB such as JEREMIE; how to access the 8 billion Euro that Europe spends annually on international cooperation; and what are the rules of state aid on SME.

Method:
The seminar will consist of a series of illustrated presentations and workshops given by EIPA lecturers and external experts. Ample time will be left for question and answer sessions, discussions and sharing experiences.

Target Group:
The seminar is aimed at policy makers in public administrations, regional authorities and Regional Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce involved in facilitating the creation of new business and promoting the development of entrepreneurship, especially with respect to SMEs.

Programme
The programme will commence on Monday 22 June at 09.00 and finish on Tuesday 23 June at 17.15.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, tel.: +31.43.3296.222, fax: +31.43.3296.296. Working language The seminar will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is € 725 and includes participation in the seminar, documentation, two lunches, one dinner and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht. We have made a block booking at two hotels in Maastricht: Hotel Mabi**** (www.hotelmabi. nl), at a rate of € 95 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast, excl. tourist tax) and Eden Designhotel Maastricht, at a rate of € 110 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast, excl. tourist tax). Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the name of the hotel and the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
The lunches will be served at the Institute’s restaurant and dinner in the evening will be at a restaurant in town. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the registration form and return it before 29 May 2009 to Ms Brechtje Adriaanse, Programme Organiser, European Institute of Public Administration, P.O. Box 1229, NL-6201 BE Maastricht, tel.: +31.43.3296.698, fax: +31.43.3296.296, e-mail: b.adriaanse@eipa-nl.com. You can also submit the online registration form which can be found on EIPA’s web site: http://www.eipa.eu (Training and Research). Your name and address will be part of EIPA's database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not want to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box in the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For administrative reasons you will be charged € 150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to 2 weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.). For EIPA's cancellation policy, please visit our website www.eipa.eu (legal notice).