Adaptation of SMEs to the single market: France The European Community initiative concerning the adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the single market (1994-1999), jointly financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), was launched by the European Commiss... The European Community initiative concerning the adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the single market (1994-1999), jointly financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), was launched by the European Commission in July 1994. Its aim is to assist SMEs in adapting to the Single Market and improving their competitiveness at a European level. The programme is implemented primarily through national operational programmes, proposed and co-financed by the Member States. In France, the national programme (PIC-PME) covers three main activities: - Creation of a guarantee fund for business development, particularly with regard to inter-enterprise cooperation, technological innovation and the establishment of European partnerships; - Stimulation of inter-enterprise cooperation for innovation and the modernization of SMEs through support to partnerships formed by French SMEs around projects promoting innovation or modernization; - Promoting the Europeanization of SMEs: This part of the programme is aimed at assisting SMEs in preparing and implementing technical, financial and commercial cooperation agreements with companies within the European Union. Training activities relating to the second and third sections of the programme are also supported. Participation is open to all SMEs (1 - 250 employees) in Objective 2 (areas in industrial decline) and Objective 5b (vulnerable rural areas) regions of France. A first call for proposals under the French programme was launched in 1996, covering the second and third activities of the programme. This led to the financing of approximately 60 projects which are currently underway. The French authorities have now published a second call for proposals for the PIC-PME programme. The deadline for the submission of projects relating to innovation and modernization is 31 November 1997. Projects for the Europeanization of SMEs may be submitted at any time until 1 March 1998. For further information, please contact: ANTIDE (Action nationale pour l'ingenierie du developpement des territoires) 28 rue Docteur Finlay F-75015 Paris Tel. +33-1-43926777; Fax +33-1-45795498 Countries Greece
