Delivering better SME and Enterprise support through EU Programmes and Policies

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

Description
European enterprises and SMEs play an important role in promoting growth, reinforcing competitiveness and boosting employment; Europe must therefore develop a more entrepreneur-friendly environment and better SME support programmes. Indeed, business competitiveness can only be enhanced if action is taken in a vast number of policy fields, such as: efforts towards implementing the Small Business Act and the SME Performance Review; plans to develop appropriate business support services; efforts to cut red tape; and effective EU programmes to support SME development. This two-day seminar will provide participants with a better understanding of the opportunities and the funding programmes Europe offers for business, as well as the importance of SME development for policy makers and public administrations, whose task it is to set the right framework for enterprises.

Method
The seminar will consist of a series of illustrated presentations and workshops given by EIPA lecturers, EC officials and external experts. Ample time will be allocated for question and answer sessions, discussions and sharing experiences as well as for a visit to the Cabinet of the Vice President of the European Commission in charge of enterprise.

Objectives
This seminar focuses on the different aspects of enterprise development, aiming to provide participants with a clear practical tools such as: how can intermediaries and final beneficiaries make use of EU programmes; the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, or the Structural Funds and the proposed changes in the period 2014-2020; the financial instruments of the EIF such as JEREMIE; how to access the € 8 billion that Europe spends annually on international cooperation; and what are the rules of state aid on SME?

Programme
The seminar will commence on Thursday 5 July 2012 at 09.00 and will finish on Friday 6 July 2012 at 15.45

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place in the Conference room of Marche Region Headquarter at Rond Point Schuman 14, 1040 Brussels (BE), tel.: +32 22 86 85 42.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is €725 and includes documentation distributed during the seminar, two lunches, one dinner and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.
EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. For details, please click here.

Meals
The lunches will be served at the Region Marche Headquarter. The dinner on Monday evening will be served at a local restaurant. 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 online registration form before 11 June 2012.

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 cancellations received after the closing date of registration we will have to charge an administration fee of €150 unless a replacement participant is found.

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.