European Commission to invest 2,2 billion Euro in research projects for SMEs

The 4th SME Technology Days in Leeds (UK) on 25-27/9/2002 - conference on the recognition of the role of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the EU economy.,

The European Commission is organising a conference entitled The 4th SME Technology Days in Leeds (UK) on 25-27/9/2002. Recognizing the essential role of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the EU economy, this major conference provides concrete examples of European Union initiatives to foster the creation and development of SMEs through pioneering research, innovation and stronger international partnerships.
The New Framework Programme devotes the highest ever budget to SMEs. Over15% of the thematic programme "Focusing an Integrating community research will be allocated to SMEs (1,7 billion EUR). A further 0,43 billion EUR will go to SMEs through Specific Schemes. With a total of over 2,2 billion EUR over the next four years, the 6th Framework Programme represent the largest instrument supporting research and innovation for SMEs in the world.
According to EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin this is a good opportunity for entrepreneurs to become familiar with FP6 initiatives for SMEs: "Small and medium enterprises are Europe's growth engine: they account for 66% of private sector employment, as opposed to 46% in the USA and 33%in Japan. They need easier access to knowledge, finance and commercial partnerships. But they also need cutting hedge technologies: know-how makes the difference in the marketplace. The European Research Area (ERA) that we are building, a true single market for science, knowledge and innovation, will provide for new opportunities for the start up and grow of SMEs. FP6will help speed things up".
BACKGROUND
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises play a key role in achieving the goal to make Europe the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010.European SMEs are a major source of job creation: More than 50% of new jobs derive from a group of fast growing companies representing 4% of the total number of European SMEs. In addition, almost half of the two million industrial SMEs have recently introduced innovation to the markets. As such, SMEs occupy a pivotal position in the Sixth Framework Programme for Research2002 - 2006 (FP6).
* More and more European SMEs choose to join forces and transfer knowledge with other SME actors through participation in the European Commission's 6th Framework Programme. The objective is to develop new technologies, build international partnerships and take full advantage of international business opportunities. The EU is determined to help SMEs reducing barriers, networking talents and resources, spreading best practices and developing new forms of partnerships.,* Innovation - turning bright ideas into profitable business - is the key to success. ,* In the 6th Framework Programme, SMEs will participate in the new thematic areas of research, mostly, in Networks of Excellence and in Integrated Projects. Those SMEs will benefit from a series of special measures promoting their participation in the new instruments: special training actions, customized evaluation, SME-targeted calls for proposals etc.,* In addition, more traditional SMEs who are willing to innovate but have limited means to carry research will have the opportunity of using specific measures: Collective research and Co-operative research CRAFT(about 430 million EUR).,* Collective research is undertaken by industrial associations or industry groupings in order to expand their scientific knowledge and their general standard of competitiveness. It is conducted on European basis, thought substantial projects of several years' duration.,* Co-operative research CRAFT allows at least three independent SMEs from different Member (or Associated) states facing common problems to outsource, with Community support, about 50% of their cost for a research project (up to 2 millions EUR).
The 4th SME Technology Days Conference is organised by Beta Technology, a UK-based Centre of Excellence for Innovation, ANRT France and EG-Liaison, The Netherlands, with the support of the City of Leeds and the European Commission. The conference provides concrete examples of real-life success stories by European SMEs in diverse fields ranging from health and safety, to sustainable development, the environment, and industrial production.
It also showcases the full range of supporting activities in favour of SMEs in the 6th Framework Programme, and provides useful advice on how to access funding and networking opportunities Representatives of various SME networks demonstrate how cross-border SME partnerships have facilitated innovative research and brought groundbreaking new technologies to market.
Amongst the five success stories presented is a new step in vaccine production technology growing the virus in a cell culture. This technology could ultimately unlock the door to the development of vaccines for use in humans, in diseases ranging from cancer to HIV. SME actors also demonstrate concrete applications of new products in the fields of bio-medics, health safety, the environment and industrial production.
,ANNEXE
Media Programme,4th SME Technology Days,First SME Awards,Leeds Town Hall 26th & 27th September, 2002
25th September
18.00 - 21.00 Registration & Drinks Reception
Day 1: 26 September
09.15 - 09.30 Welcome & Opening Ceremony: Richard Gregory, Yorkshire Forward, UK ,09.30 - 09.50 Opening Address: Lord Sainsbury of Turville, UK Minister for Research & Innovation ,09.50 - 10.10 SMEs and the European Research Area: Philippe Busquin, European Commissioner for Research ,10.10 - 10.30 Encouraging Innovation for and by SMEs: Knud Larsen, Danish Presidency Representative ,10.30 - 11.00 11.00 - 11.30 Press Conference: From a bright idea to profitability: Strengthening SME potential in Europe Commissioner Busquin, Lord Sainsbury, Knud Larsen Questions & Answers: opportunities for interviews ,11.30 - 12.00 Departure by coach to on-site visit ,12.15 - 14.00 On-site visit, presentation & lunch ,14.00 - 14.30 Return by coach to Leeds Town Hall ,14.30 - 15.30 Media & SME meeting: From a bright idea to profitability : Strengthening SME potential in Europe Possibility of one-to-one discussions with participating SME actors from all over Europe,18.45 - 23.50 Conference Dinner & Awards Ceremony: Possibility of one-to-one discussions with winning SMEs
Day 2: 27th September
10.00 - 11.00 Panel Breakfast: Maximising comparative SME strengths: the Leeds regional experience ,11.00 - 13.00 Possibility to participate in final conference discussions,13.00 - 15.00 Wrap-up & lunch
During the press conference representatives of the European Commission, UK Government, and Danish Presidency emphasise the importance of SMEs for the European economy.
The media programme offers journalists a privileged insight into some of Europe's most exciting and innovative companies as well as contacts with leading entrepreneurs and European policymakers. The opportunities offered to SMEs in the European Research Area are highlighted, and particularly the networking and funding facilities provided by the new Framework Programme.
The press event is followed by an on-site visit to a Leeds-based SME named Surgical Innovations. This 25 employees' strong and expanding company has a proven track record in launching groundbreaking surgical products onto the international market. The EU-funded project on demonstration will be Smart Tube surgical equipment that uses alloys and metals allowing for greater flexibility during operations and can work remotely. This project was funded under CRAFT and involved a network of 5 SMEs, 2 major partners, and 2 universities, representing the UK, France & Germany.
During the presentation three demonstration booths showing the Computer Automated Design of new surgical technology and expert trainers in the technology are giving practical information to journalists. Furthermore a dummy surgical body and clinical specialists are on-hand to demonstrate to Commissioner Busquin how this technology works.
Media & SME Meeting: During the informal meeting and cocktail drink between journalists and SME representatives from all over Europe have the opportunity for a discussion on the topic: 'from a bright idea to profitability: strengthening SME potential in Europe'. This meeting is providing journalists with one-to-one interview opportunities and in-depth background briefings on SME-related issues.
Journalists have the opportunity to cover the first ever SME Awards Ceremony rewarding three SMEs that have used international partnerships to leverage innovative ideas into profitable business.
A panel breakfast is held on the subject of 'maximising comparative SME strengths: the Leeds regional experience'. This discussion between media, successful companies from the Yorkshire region, and the local business community may draw positive lessons from their experiences to the benefit of other SME actors.,Further General Information on SMEs at the EU level:
Robert-Jan Smits, Research DG, ,Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Xabier Goenaga Beldarrain, Head of SMEs Unit, Research DG,,Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Klimentini Diakomanoli, Press and Information Officer,,Research DG, Information and Communication Unit, ,Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]
Useful Web sites: ,* For the conference: http:// www.days4smes.org,* For the SME activities: ,http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/sme/leaflets/en/02.html,http://sme.cordis.lu/home/index.cfm

Kraje

United Kingdom