European Parliament viewpoint on SME participation in Community research
Speaking at the "First SME Technology Days" (Brussels, 30-31 October 1996), Mr. Umberto Scapagnini, President of the European Parliament's Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy, presented a number of observations on the participation of SMEs in Community research. As the President of a Parliamentary Committee which will be heavily involved in the development of the Fifth Framework Programme, his viewpoint is of particular interest in respect of future Community research policy. Citing the importance of SMEs for European competitiveness and export, Mr. Scapagnini noted that they play a crucial role in less-favoured regions and rural areas of Europe. Much support to SMEs in Europe comes from the Structural Funds for regional development. Mr. Scapagnini suggested that these could play a more important role in supporting SMEs in RTD projects. SMEs face difficulties in adapting to technological changes and in integrating new technologies into their businesses. To overcome this problem, SMEs must cooperate, forming partnerships with industry, research centres and technology transfer organizations. Mr. Scapagnini stressed that if the specific needs of SMEs are taken into account, European RTD policy can substantially support the innovative potential of SMEs. Measures for the dissemination of results must take SMEs into account, since SMEs are more often users than developers of new technologies. Mr. Scapagnini called for the Commission to facilitate the establishment of networks of large and small enterprises, both for the dissemination of results and for research projects. Mr. Scapagnini further called on the Commission to design RTD programmes in such a way as to ensure a continuous increase in SME participation. In particular he stressed that the training and mobility of researchers programme (TMR) should be oriented more towards industry and SMEs, since training is crucial for the competitiveness of SMEs. He acknowledged, however, the relatively good results of SME participation in RTD programmes to date. Turning to the mechanics of participation in research programmes, Mr. Scapagnini called on the Commission to ensure that costs, including in terms of time, to SMEs were minimized. He also suggested that the Community contribution to RTD projects involving SMEs might be increased from 50% of costs. Finally, he noted that partnerships between SMEs had to be encouraged and that the dissemination of information to SMEs should be increased, including by making CORDIS databases accessible on the World Wide Web.