1. Basic Funding Sources

Factsheet on European Union Support Programmes for SMEs  This fact sheet gives an overview of the different European programmes available to SMEs and contains the main web sites for each programme. It tries to identify all sources of funding available at the EU level, from directly available funding opportunities to structural funds, and from financial instruments to other types of support. It also provides useful addresses and sources of information. This product of the working group EU financing is published on DG Enterprise (SME Envoy) website under main “funding opportunities”. Details

EU Funding Web-site Guide A guide to information about regional, national and European funding measures in the EU member States, accession and candidate countries as well as Island and Norway. The purpose of this EU funding web-site guide is to list: -   Web sites providing information about regional, national and European measures for funding and finance in the EU Member States, EU candidate countries and EEC countries (Island and Norway) as well as; -   Web sites on incentives to foreign investment in the EU and EFTA Member States and in the candidate countries. This guide also includes web sites in some Balkan and Mediterranean countries. Websites are listed by country in alphabetical order. Details

2. Useful tips and definitions

EU-Funding at your fingertips A general information on EU-Funding Programmes, objectives, project planning and tips on how to submit a successful proposal.  Details

Summary of SME Definition  This factsheet introduces the new SME definition adopted by the Commission on 6 May 2003. The revision took account of the economic developments since 1996 and the application of the definition. It increases legal certainty, while reducing possibilities of its circumvention, particularly with regard to state aid, Structural Funds and the Research and Development Framework Programme. The fact sheet provides the new criteria for micro, small and medium enterprises, and the new thresholds endorsed by the latest Recommendation. Details

Glossary on EU Financing Terms In the daily work of the Working Group “EU-Financing” we came across some useful EU Terminology and compiled them in this list. Details

Glossary on EU-Financing Terms  Financial terms are explained in French a selection of databanks dealing with “financing” are offered. Details(En-Fr)     Details (Fr-En)

3.  SME guaranties, loans and investment

Basel II The international banking system needs stable and internationally accepted regulations. For this reason a common capital measurement system and a credit risk measurement framework - Basel II - is in the process of being developed for the financial intermediaries. By the end of 2006/beginning 2007 the “Basel II - Capital Accord” should be ready for implementation in the EU member states. This leaflet tries to show the impact of Basel II on the SME world. Details

European Business Angels Network (EBAN) Business Angels are private individuals who offer finance in exchange for equity stake in the business and/or offer other forms of seed or risk financing.  Details

ETF – Start-up Facility  (updated 02/04)  The European Investment Fund (EIF) supports the establishment and financing of SMEs in their start-up phase by investing in relevant specialised Venture Capital Funds, Seed Funds, funds operating regionally or funds focussed on specific sectors or technologies as well as business incubators. Details

Gate 2 Growth  Gate2Growth.com is THE gateway to find relevant investors for your project or company!  Details

Seed Capital Action (updated 02/04) This facility is designed to stimulate the supply of capital for the creation of new and innovative companies with growth and job-creation potential by supporting seed capital funds, incubators or similar organisations in the member states of the European Union. Details

SME Guarantee Facility (updated 02/04) This is a guarantee given by local financial intermediaries to SMEs for loans, micro-credits, equity investments and special loans for the financing of IT equipment, software and training to promote the use of the Internet and e-commerce. Details

4. Structural Funds

Structural Funds Objective 1 Structural Funds assistance to businesses can take many different forms and is geared towards small and big firms alike. Under the structural funds are 3 priorities: Objectives 1, 2 and 3. Objective 1 - which is the focus of this fact sheet- deals with help for regions whose development is lagging behind. Details

Structural Funds Objective 2  Objective 2 funding assists economic and social conversion in areas experiencing structural difficulties. 18% of the population of the Union lives in such areas. Details

Structural Funds Objective 3 Objective 3 funding promotes the modernisation of training systems and the creation of employment outside the Objective 1 regions where such measures form part of the strategies for catching up. Details

Leaflet on State Aid Regulation   This fact sheet introduces State Aid regulation and its implication with structural funds programmes. The first part of the leaflet describes the principles of the State Aid Regulation, including the criteria that define a State Aid, the exemptions, the notification and authorisation procedures and the relation between State Aids and structural funds programme. As well as sources of information, the leaflet provides a glossary of State aid Regulation vocabulary (the words are given in English, French and German). This fact sheet is dedicated to Fabrizio Gorelli EIC IT361, the original author, who died in a car accident in Italy in November 2002. Details

Click for the document about EU Support Programmes prepared by Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry