Commission requests evaluation of MAP
The European Commission's Enterprise DG has issued a call for tenders for the external evaluation of the multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for 2001 to 2005. In December 2000 the multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) 2001-2005 (hereafter referred as the MAP) was adopted for a period of five years starting from 1 January 2001. The MAP is a framework plan of activities which aim at: a. enhancing the growth and competitiveness of business in a knowledge-based internationalised economy; b. promoting entrepreneurship; c. simplifying and improving the administrative and regulatory framework for business so that research, innovation and business creation in particular can flourish; d. improving the financial environment for business, especially SMEs; e. giving business easier access to Community support services, programmes and networks and improving the coordination of these facilities. These objectives are pursued via a series of activities that fall under one of three headings: 1 - Policy Development: the Commission, in close coordination with Member States, analyses and studies ways to ameliorate the overall environment that enterprises have to operate in. 2 - The Euro Info Centres Network: Euro Info Centres represent an interface between European institutions and local actors. 3 - Financial Instruments: there are four schemes, three of which are managed by the European Investment Fund, that are specifically targeted at improving the financial environment for businesses, especially SMEs: The evaluation will be an interim/final evaluation, and will also, to the extent possible at this stage, be ex-post, as the programme is due to finish in 2005. It is expected that the Commission will be able to draw on the evaluation to both improve the current MAP and also with a view to the development of any successor. The evaluator will therefore provide realistic recommendations (based on, and supported by, factual findings) on how the design and implementation of the MAP could be improved both in relation to its current modalities and in light of any future programme in an enlarged European Union.For further information, please contact: European Commission Directorate-General Enterprise E-mail: enterpr-policy@cec.eu.int To see the full call text, please visit: http://ted.publications.eu.int/static/doccur/en/en/100972-2003.htm(opens in new window)