Helping SMEs to participate in Framework programmes
Small and medium sized enterprise (SME) national contact points (NCPs) from the 15 EU Member States have been working together in a project to create a best practice guide for assisting SMEs in Framework programme research funding. The results of this project will be presented on 7 September in Brussels. The 16 month project, TRANSTRACC (transnational training and accreditation) had a budget of 1.5 million euro, and was co-funded by the European Commission. It is aimed at comparing working methods and experiences to generate a best practice for each assistance activity. Training and dissemination will be used to implement the best practices proposed to the benefit of SME NCPs in 31 European States. The project results could also be used as a model for similar activities at local or national government level or by associations, federations or other European networks which provide a similar type of service for SMEs. NCPs are established in all 31 Member States and Associated States participating in the Fifth Framework programme. Their main role is to help SMEs participate in EC research funding programmes through free information and assistance services.