Best Procedures EUproject2006

8/13/2019 Best Procedures EUproject2006

1/99

EN EN

EN


2/99

EN 1 EN

ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MMuullttiiaannnnuuaallPPrrooggrraammmmee

ffoorrEEnntteerrpprriisseeaannddEEnnttrreepprreenneeuurrsshhiipp22000011--22000066

WORK PROGRAMME 2006

As approved by the EPMC on 24 November 2005 and 9 March 2006

June 2006


3/99

EN 2 EN

Table of contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER 1: Enhancing the growth and competitiveness of business in a knowledge-basedinternational economy .............................................................................................. 6

ENT/MAP/06/1.1 - e-Business Policy Network (eBPN)......................................................... 7

ENT/MAP/06/1.3 Reinforcing synergies between public policies in support of e-business

for SMEs................................................................................................................ 11

ENT/MAP/06/1.4 Sectoral e-Business W@tch .................................................................. 15

ENT/MAP/06/1.5 Supporting internationalisation of SMEs (Best) .................................... 19

ENT/MAP/06/1.6 - European Best Tourism Practices........................................................ 22

ENT/MAP/06/1.7 - European Productivity Conference 2006............................................... 25

ENT/MAP/06/1.8 - Conference Going Global: the Challenges for Knowledge-Based

Economies.............................................................................................................. 29

ENT/MAP/06/1.9 - Benchmarking sectoral policy initiatives in support of e-Business for

SMEs ..................................................................................................................... 33

ENT/MAP/06/1.10 - Benchmarking commercially available e-Business solutions and services

for SMEs................................................................................................................ 37

CHAPTER 2: Promoting Entrepreneurship .......................................................................... 40

ENT/MAP/06/2.1 Package of improved communication links with SME stakeholders...... 41

ENT/MAP/06/2.2 European Enterprise awards ................................................................. 45

ENT/MAP/06/2.3 Conference on entrepreneurship education ........................................... 49

ENT/MAP/06/2.4 - Promoting entrepreneurship in the audio-visual media .......................... 52

ENT/MAP/06/2.5 Study on start-up procedures in europe................................................. 55

ENT/MAP/06/2.6 Eurobarometer on entrepreneurial attitudes........................................... 58

CHAPTER 3: Simplifying and improving the administrative and regulatory framework for

business, in particular to promote research, innovation and business creation ......... 61

ENT/MAP/06/3.1 - Models to reduce the disproportionate regulatory burden on SMEs (Best)62

ENT/MAP/06/3.2 - Requirements for accounting systems from the point of view of Small

enterprises.............................................................................................................. 65

ENT/MAP/06/3.3 - Benchmarking Policies on e-Skills Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships....... 68

ENT/MAP/06/3.4 - European ICT Skills and Career Portal.................................................. 71

CHAPTER 4: Improving the financial environment for business, especially SMEs ............. 74


4/99

EN 3 EN

ENT/MAP/06/4.1 - Financial Instruments for SMEs ............................................................ 75

ENT/MAP/06/4.2 Towards a more efficient market in SME finance ................................. 78

CHAPTER 5: Giving business easier access to Community support services, programmes and

networks and improving the co-ordination of these facilities .................................. 82

ENT/MAP/06/5.1 - The Euro Info Centre Network and the Rationalisation of BusinessSupport Networks................................................................................................... 83

ENT/MAP/06/5.2 Conference on Crafts and Small Enterprise............................................ 88

CHAPTER 6: Other Actions ................................................................................................ 91

ENT/MAP/06/6.1 Dissemination of information on the European Charter for Small

Enterprises ............................................................................................................. 92

ENT/MAP/06/6.2 Enterprise Europe Newsletter and Web publishing programme............. 95

Budget Overview WP 2006.................................................................................................. 97


5/99

EN 4 EN

INTRODUCTION

This work programme contains the actions and measures that the Enterprise and Industry

Directorate General will undertake during the prolongation of the Multiannual Programme

(MAP) for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) in 2006.1 The actions are presented under 6 chapter headings, which

correspond to the 6 Areas of Action defined in the Decision adopting the MAP prolongation.

Annexed to the work programme is a budget overview of the projects and their budget

envelopes.

As in previous years, the MAP budget will be implemented through three instruments:

The MAP Financial instrumentsaim to help bridge some of the gaps or failures incapital markets for start-up companies and SMEs, for example in the provision of loan

guarantees and risk capital. Poor access to appropriate forms of finance is frequently

quoted as a main barrier to entrepreneurship and enterprise innovation.

2

The financialinstruments will ease the supply of debt capital and equity to innovative companies.

These initiatives are managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF). Independentevaluations have identified the marked-based approach and the implementation of the

financial instruments via the EIF as a best practice.3

The Euro Info Centres (EICs) form the principal business support network underMAP, providing information, advice and assistance on a wide range of Community

issues. To help SMEs find their way through the different services from the different

service providers at their disposal the Commission launched the b2europe initiative

which essentially consists of signposting and mutual referral and information between

service providers. In 2006 efforts will be undertaken to inform potential networkpartners about the new arrangements for business support services under the future

Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (2007-13).

The Policy Development Projects cover all MAP objectives. The projects coverissues that are regularly addressed in the MAP annual work programmes such as e-

business policy, statistics on SME uptake of ICT, enhance competitiveness in the

tourism sector, reduce regulatory burden and SME access to finance. In 2006 aparticular focus will be put on the follow-up of the Entrepreneurship Action Plan and

the new SME Communication. Projects will support work in the entrepreneurship and

enterprise policy fields through the identification and exchange of best practices,

surveys and analysis, dissemination actions and conferences. In 2006 there will also bea special emphasis on visibility and dissemination, with several actions consisting

principally of conferences or prizes.

1Decision of the European Parliament and the Council of 18th July 2005 (COM(2004)781) amending Council

Decision of 20 December 2000 (2000/819/EC).2

Flash Eurobarometer No 160 on Attitudes to Entrepreneurship3Strategic evaluation of financial assistance schemes to SMEs, Deloitte & Touche, Final report December 2003


6/99

EN 5 EN

The actions have been prepared in the context of the continued efforts to achieve the goals of

the Lisbon agenda and keeping in mind the policy approach to small enterprises established in

the European Charter. The actions will both complement and continue the activities of

previous years. Where appropriate they will be implemented in co-operation with nationaladministrations and other stakeholders (e.g. by using the open method of co-ordination or the

Best methodology).

All actions described in this work programme are open to the all countries participating in the

prolongation of the programme in 2006.


7/99

EN 6 EN

CHAPTER1:

ENHANCING THE GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS OF BUSINESS IN A

KNOWLEDGE-BASED INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY


8/99

EN 7 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.1-E-BUSINESS POLICY NETWORK (EBPN)

Global MAP objective: Enhance the growth and competitiveness of business in a

knowledge-based internationalised economy

Charter line of action: Successful e-business models and top-class small

TYPE OF ACTION

The purpose of the eBPN is to continue and to develop the operation of the European e-business support network4(eBSN), established in 2003, in order to reinforce the networking,

exchange of information and knowledge on public policies and public-private partnerships insupport of e-business for SMEs. This action aims at enabling these goals and at providing

technical assistance to the functioning of the eBPN.

JUSTIFICATION

This is the latest of a series of activities, carried out under MAP from 2001 onwards under the

names of Go Digital5and eBSN (cf. MAP 5.2./2002). The Council welcomed the intention of

the Commission to set up the eBSN in its conclusions of 13 May 2003, as a means to bring

together e-business policy makers at European, national and regional levels to foster theexchange of experience and information.

The eBSN has experienced constant growth. At present, it has more than 170 members,

covering all Member States and Candidate Countries. Although it is too early to evaluate thecurrent action, feedback from national and regional e-business policy-makers has been

strongly favourable. Continuation of Community support for such action, focused on

integration of ICT in business processes6, is clearly expected.

The Lisbon objectives require continued monitoring and analyses of sectoral developments in

ICT uptake. Central Policy Area No 6 deals with facilitating ICT uptake across the European

economy: to contribute to this objective, policy-makers benefit from cooperation and

exchange of good policy practices, which is the objective of the eBPN (ex. eBSN). Similarly,

in Central Policy Area No 7 Contributing to a strong European industrial base, such

analysis is needed when distinguishing the key sectors to fully exploit the technological

advantages. The same demands arise in Guideline No 9, addressed to Member States,encouraging the widespread use of ICT.

The horizontal DG priority, strengthening of the European industrial and economic base,

requires coordination, promotion and best practice dissemination, as proposed within the

remit of the eBPN. Failure in the uptake and exploitation of ICT has repeatedly been

identified as the key weakness. The proposed eBPN is directly targeted on this problem.

4http://www.e-bsn.org/portal/home.do

5Commission Communication, Helping SMEs Go Digital, COM(2001)136 Final 13 March 2001.6

Commission Communication Adapting e-business policies in a changing environment: the lessons of godigital and the challenges ahead, COM (2003)148 Final 27 March 2003.


9/99

EN 8 EN

CONTEXT

Several MAP projects have been approved (cf. most recently MAP 1.2./2005 and MAP

6.3./2005) since the establishment of eBSN and there has also been support from the

Competitiveness budget line. Expenses for workshops in question have been covered also by

the general budget line for administrative costs. Steady support for these activities from a

single source would be administratively efficient.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The current European e-Business Support Network (eBSN) consists of national and regional

policy-makers in the field of e-business. Its main actions include the meetings of the Steering

Group (2 3 per annum), supervising this initiative and contributing to the development of

policy recommendations, as well as the workshops (3 4 per annum), also open for the

public. In addition, the eBSN portal functions as a collaboration platform for the members of

the network. Moreover, grants have been directed to support the relevant activities of the

eBSN members.

The proposed eBPN should continue and enhance Community level support to networking

currently carried out in eBSN. This project would cover up to 3 Steering Group meetings andup to 4 workshops per annum, plus continue with grants, whose scope should be defined

annually: for the year 2006, the projects Enhancing the cooperation between ICT suppliers

and SMEs at regional level (0.0./2006) and Reinforcing synergies between public policies

in support of e-business for SMEs (0.0./2006) have now been proposed simultaneously (cf.

their respective fiches).

The proposed eBPN will focus on sectoral and regional challenges to ICT uptake, better

cooperation between ICT suppliers and SMEs, exchange of good e-business policies, and onestablishing and developing international contacts with a view to exploiting international

experience. Since the main focus of the action will be directed to policy-making, it is

proposed to change the name to European e-Business Policy Network (eBPN).

OBJECTIVES (SPECIFIC AND OPERATIONAL)

Specific Objectives: To reinforce the networking, exchange of information and knowledge on

public policies and public-private partnerships in order to improve the effectiveness and

efficiency of public policies promoting the use of e-business by SMEs.

Operational objectives:

To organise up to 3 meetings per annumwith representatives from the MAP participatingcountries and national and regional e-business initiatives, forming the Steering Group of

eBPN;

To organise up to 4 thematic workshops per annum; To collect and present information material about existing policy initiatives helping SMEs

to efficiently integrate ICT in their business processes. (e.g. background information about

regional and national e-business policy initiatives, statistical data about the take-up of e-


10/99

EN 9 EN

business among European SMEs, examples of best practice, news, announcements,

articles, etc.).

PROJECT DURATION AND MILESTONES

The eBPN is expected to function multi-annually from 2006 onwards. The annualadministrative activities, to be funded for 2006 on the basis of this project fiche, would entail

up to 3 meetings of the eBPN Steering Group, up to 4 thematic workshops and continued

technical assistance notably for timely collection and dissemination of relevant information by

the Commission services, eventually by a call for tenders.

PROJECT COSTS

260.000 (for the meetings per annum), based on the following indicative estimations:

Action Number Unit

costs

Total Budget

BA B

Meetings of the eBPN Steering Group Up to 3 20.000 60.000

eBPN thematic workshops Up to 4 20.000 80.000

Technical assistance 1,5 80.000 120.000

Total 60.000 200.000

SUPPORT REQUIRED FROM THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

The members of the eBSN Steering Group, which are representatives of the EU Member

States, Candidate countries and EFTA/EEA countries, will be asked to steer and actively

support the work of the eBPN, by providing policy directions, information, and knowledge in

this field.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

CATEGORY INDICATOR(S)

1. Participation Number of e-business support policy initiatives participating in theeBPN (be it from business organisations, SME support networks,

public sector, public-private partnerships, etc.);

Number of hits on the web site;2. Deliverables quantity

Up to 3 Steering Group meetings and up to 4 workshops.3. Deliverables quality

Documentation and dissemination of policy practices; Number of downloads per country of the best practice compilation


11/99

EN 10 EN

from the eBSN portal.

4. Implementation Timely delivery of the expected deliverables; Level of budget deviation against the initial plan.

5. Effectiveness Number of new policy ideas and/or cross-border synergies betweendifferent initiatives inspired by the participation in the eBPN;

Number of eBPN members manifesting concrete benefits from theirparticipation to the eBPN (be it transfer of knowledge, newperceptions for e-business policies, new ideas for cross-borderpolicies, etc.) through a questionnaire designed for this purpose.

Uni t in charge:ENTR/D.4 Ms Dana Eleftheriadou


12/99

EN 11 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.3REINFORCING SYNERGIES BETWEEN PUBLIC POLICIES IN

SUPPORT OF E-BUSINESS FOR SMES


knowledge-based international economy

Charter line of action: Successful e-business models and top-class small

business support

TYPE OF ACTION

Call for proposals aiming at supporting the exchange of information and building synergies

among public policies in support of e-business for SMEs, all over the world.

JUSTIFICATION

The Go Digital initiative7has clearly demonstrated on the one hand the increased interest of

the SMEs for the opportunities offered by e-business and possibilities and on the other hand

the lack of awareness amongst them on these same opportunities.

The European Charter for SMEs stresses the importance of Making use of successful e-

business models and developing top-class small business support. With the objective of

better assisting SMEs in grasping the full benefits from e-business many efficient e-business

policies have been developed at national/regional/local level.

In order to foster and support the exchange of practical experience and identify future policychallenges, the Commission services have already established the European e-business

support network (eBSN8), a network of public policy initiatives in Europe, promoting the

uptake of e-business by SMEs. The eBSN comprises currently more than 170 regional and

national e-business policy initiatives from 29 countries. Recently, the eBSN members stressed

their interest in policy exchange and building synergies also with third countries, which they

believe would be very enriching experience; they asked DG Enterprise to facilitate such

policy exchanges.

CONTEXT

The establishment of the eBSN, in 2003, was the first step in networking public policy makersin the filed of e-business policies for SMEs at European level. The eBSN represents policy

initiatives from all EU, EFTA and EEA countries.

A call for proposals was launched recently on Supporting Best Practice exchange of e-

business policies for SMEs, with a view to reinforcing the exchange of information and

cross-border policy synergies in the e-business field (cf. MAP 1.2./2005). In this context,

7

Commission Communication, Helping SMEs Go Digital, COM(2001)138, 13 March 2001.8http://www.e-bsn.org/portal/home.do


13/99

EN 12 EN

several eBSN members informed the Commission about the needs to increase the

geographical scope of such actions to encompass also their efforts to build synergies with

third countries, like Canada, the US, India, China, etc. This continuous interest demonstrates

that, in a global economy and especially in areas like e-business, policy exchanges and

synergies should thus clearly be eligible for Community support more widely than before.

This project is proposed to be launched within the framework of eBPN (European e-BusinessPolicy Network), about which a project (ENT/MAP/06/1.1) has now been proposed

simultaneously (cf. its respective fiche).


In order to share practical policy experience, encourage the exchange of best practice in e-

business policies, bring together policy makers who design national and regional initiatives in

support of e-business and SME support networks, all around the globe, a new call for

proposals is planned under MAP 2006.

The call for proposals will be launched on the basis of cooperation and partnership

arrangements between e-business policy makers and/or SME support networks. The joint

actions will be formed by at least two partners, with at least one being an EU Member State,

Candidate country, or EFTA/EEA country, with a view to transferring knowledge from a

successful e-business policy practice exercised by one of the partners to the other one.


Specific Objectives

The general objective of this grant theme is to further promote the exchange of information

and experience between public funded policies in support of e-business for SMEs, with a

special focus on reinforcing policy exchanges between the EU and third countries.The

specific objectives are therefore to:

- increase cooperation among public authorities, SME support networks and public-

private partnerships in the filed of e-business promotion;

- improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public policies in support of promoting e-

business for SMEs;

- reinforce cross border networking

- raise awareness about available e-business policies


14/99

EN 13 EN

Operational objectives

- To enter into grant agreements with beneficiaries who enter into joint actions with

partners, at least one being an EU Member State, Candidate country, or EFTA/EEA

country, designed to transferring knowledge from a successful e-business policy

practice exercised by one of the partners to the other one.

- disseminate the results through the eBSN portal


The expected duration of the project will be 12 months.

March 20069 Publication of the call for proposals for reinforcing

synergies between public policies in support of e-business

for SMEs

May 2006 Evaluation and selection of proposals

August 2006 Signature of grant agreements

September 2006 February 2007 Implementation of the joint actions

March 2007 Final reports by the beneficiairies presenting the overall

results

PROJECT COSTS

The overall project cost is expected to be 900.000 .

ACTION NUMBER UNIT COSTS TOTAL BUDGET

Reinforcing synergies between

public policies in support of e-

business for SMEs

Approx. 6 grantagreements

Max. 150.000 pergrant agreement

900.000

Total 900.000

NB: The Community contribution cannot exceed 50% of the eligible costs of each grantagreement, and in any case cannot exceed 150.000 EUR.


It is expected that Member States, EEAEFTA States and Acceding and Candidate

Countries strengthen their efforts to encourage broader participation in this initiative. In

9To be published immediately after the adoption of the Grants Work Programme 2006.


15/99

EN 14 EN

particularly, they might be requested to participate in the e-business joint actions planned

further, promoting the adoption of best practice.



1. Participation Number of organisations participating.

2. Deliverables quantity Final report summarising and assessing the activities.

3. Deliverables quality Documentation and dissemination of good policy practices; Number of downloads per country of the final reports from the

eBSN portal.

4. Implementation

Timely delivery of the expected deliverables; Respect of budget with regard to the initial plan.

5. Effectiveness Number of national or regional initiatives further disseminating

and/or participating in the joint policy schemes;

Uni t in charge: ENTR/ D.4 Ms Dana Eleftheriadou


16/99

EN 15 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.4SECTORAL E-BUSINESS W@TCH



Charter line of action: Successful e-business models and top-class small businesssupport

TYPE OF ACTION

Information gathering and analysis on e-business developments in companies form different

sectors and size-classes in the EU. The action will also involve the identification of policychallenges and recommendations, as well as relevant dissemination activities.

JUSTIFICATION

The Lisbon objectives require continued monitoring and analyses of sectoral developments in

ICT uptake. Central Policy Area No 6 deals with facilitating ICT uptake across the European

economy: to contribute to this objective, policy-makers require up-date, thoroughly elaborated

information on the most recent developments in this field. Similarly, in Central Policy Area

No 7 Contributing to a strong European industrial base, such analysis is needed whendistinguishing the key sectors to fully exploit the technological advantages. The same

demands arise in Guideline No 9, addressed to Member States, encouraging the widespread

use of ICT. The results of such action will also provide valuable insights into both demand

and supply sides of the ICT sectors. The horizontal DG priority, strengthening of the

European industrial and economic base, requires such monitoring and analysis. Failure in the

uptake and exploitation of ICT has repeatedly been identified as the key weakness. The

proposed Sectoral e-Business Watch is directly targeted on this problem.

CONTEXT

The e-Business W@tch(eBW) was launched in late 2001 (MAP 4.11./2001) and its 1stphase

was implemented under a service contract until mid-summer 2003. Following a renewed

mandate by the Competitiveness Council of 13.5.2003 to further analyse and benchmark

progress in ICT and e-business, the 2nd

phase of the eBW (MAP 1.3./2002 and 1.2./2004)

began in July 2003 under a new service contract which could be extended until end 2006. The

evaluation of the current phase of the eBW contract (cf. also MAP 1.2./2004) has just been

finalised and the evaluators strongly support continuation of a similar initiative, with a scope

taking into account new developments and focusing on areas where policy challenges are

most acute notably on micro and small businesses and lagging sectors.


The proposed action will focus on monitoring and analysing the ICT uptake and its impact on

the competitiveness of European companies in selected sectors and specific size-classes. It

will build on the current eBW, taking account of recommendations from its recent evaluation.


17/99

EN 16 EN

It will concentrate on issues of special interest for e-business, building on the annual

Community statistics on enterprises and the information society based on Regulation (EC)

No 808/2004 and other existing data sources or ad hoc surveys. It will also develop

international comparisons. Topics for analysis will be identified with the help of appointed

experts for the (5-10) sectors selected who will also review the results. It will work closely

with the Sectoral Innovation Scoreboard project (which has a broader remit and less

frequency).

The action will be repeated on a periodic basis (of 14-16 months), following a bottom-up

approach: Firstly, the specific sub-sectors, size classes and topics to be studied will be

identified with the help of the appointed experts, based on existing eBW material. Then, datawill be identified and collected using a variety of methods (surveys, secondary sources and

face-to-face interviews). Subsequently, this data will be enriched with non-statistical

information (market evolution, new developments, etc). Eventually, the collected information

will be analysed and presented in respective sectoral or thematic reports, which would in turn

be discussed with the respective experts and in relevant workshops. This dynamic approach

will be used to achieve an in-depth view of e-business uptake in various sectors of the

European Union, the EEA and the Candidate Countries.

As a result, the Commission will be fed with periodic updates both at macro- and

microeconomic level, including policy analysis and recommendations based on sound and up-

to-date data, market and economic analysis. These periodic reports will be disseminated toMember States, industry and sectoral associations and will also be publicly available through

the projects and the Commissions Europa web-server.


The overall mission of the eBW would be to monitor and analyse the diffusion and usage ofICT for conducting business in enterprises from different sectors of the European economy,

and to evaluate / assess the economic and policy implications of this development. This

mission is broken down into the following primary objectives:

To present a concise and analytical picture of the developments and impacts of e-businessin the sectors covered, based on sound economic analysis and leading to relevant policy

recommendations;

To intensify the dialogue with stakeholders from industry and policy institutions, as well asfrom the research community, on e-business developments and to provide a forum for

debating on relevant issues;

To compile and make publicly available up-to-date information on the state of ICTadoption and e-business application in European enterprises from different sectors.

Primary objectives are, in turn, supported by the following secondary objectives:

To ensure that the SME dimension is given high priority; To integrate quantitative and qualitative research methods in the analysis of sectoral e-

business developments;

To move from descriptive statistics to a more in-depth analysis of relations and impacts atthe sectoral level

To act as a "think-tank" which explores special aspects of electronic business (in the formof Special Reports and Briefings);


18/99

EN 17 EN

To liaise with relevant stakeholders and to organise events and/or workshops todisseminate, discuss and valorise the results of the analysis.

The operational objectives are therefore:

To enter into a service contract with a supplier who will organise the surveys, analyse thedata collected, and manage the relevant web-page

To organise expert groups whose members will analyse the accuracy of the data.PROJECT DURATION AND MILESTONES

The foreseen duration for each phaseof the proposed action is 14-16 months (preceded by at

least 6 months of preparatory / administrative activities, starting in December 2005).

Commitment is foreseen for the last quarter of 2006 and actual implementation will start in

late 2006 / early 2007:

Preparation of the Call for Tenders December 2005 - March 2006 Launching the Call for Tenders April - May 2006 Signature of the contract November 2006 Preparatory activities December 2006 February 2007 Implementation February - December 2007 Packaging the final report January - February 2008 Completion of the 1stphase of the project March 2008

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget:EUR 2.000.000per annum, based on the following indicative estimations:

ACTION NUMBER UNIT COSTS TOTAL BUDGET (EUR)

Planning and co-ordination 1 100.000 100.000

Data and information collection Up to 10 Aver.80.000

800.000

Reporting and analysis Up to 10 Aver.90.000

900.000

Dissemination activities Up to 10 Aver.20.000

200.000

Total 2.000.000


The up-to-date results of the currently implemented eBW have been used in the preparation of

various policy initiatives and Commission documents, and have generated the interest of the

policy-making and research communities across Europe.


19/99

EN 18 EN

The implementation of the next eBWforesees that feedback will continue to be collected via

the regular organisation of roundtables and workshops, as well as through a network of

experts. This feedback will be reflected into the sectoral, thematic and other reports, as well as

in the policy documents prepared on their basis. Participating Countries are, therefore, asked

to encourage the participation of national, regional and sectoral representatives in the

aforementioned network and events, as well as in other relevant initiatives launched by DG

Enterprise & Industry like the eBSN. Participating Countries are also asked to support thedissemination of the results of the eBWat the national level through relevant national, local or

sectoral initiatives.


CATEGORY INDICATOR(S)DURING EACH IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

1. ParticipationAt least 2 external representatives in each experts panel;Successful organisation of an annual event with at least 50 participants, as well

as of at least 4 specific workshops with at least 20 participants in each of them;

At least 10 presentations in conferences and events organised by third parties.2. Deliverables quantity

At least one report per sector / topic studied (minimum 5, maximum 10 sectors/ topics to be covered);

Number of case studies presented (min 5 per sector / topic) ;A Synthesis Report (summarising the results of each sectoral / thematic report)

to be printed in at least 1.500 copies;

The eBWwebsite.3. Deliverables

quality

Completeness and coverage of primary (direct interviews / case studies) andsecondary information sources;

Functionality and user-friendliness of the web-site;Degree of integration of different sources for the various sectors and countries

to extract meaningful data and conclusions for policy;

Clarity and detail of impact analysis;Identification of policy implications, in particular with regard to SME- and/or

sector-specific issues;

Proposal of new indicators and indices for measuring e-business impact.4. Implementation

Timeliness, completeness and quality of all deliverables;Deviation from initial time and cost plans.

5. Effectiveness

At least 2 references in relevant major policy documents;- At least 5 references in research and / or other publications;- Distribution of at least 750 copies of the Synthesis Report within 3 months

after its publication.

Uni t in charge: ENTR/ D.4 Mr. Georgios Karageorgos


20/99

EN 19 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.5SUPPORTING INTERNATIONALISATION OF SMES (BEST)

Global MAP objective: To enhance growth and competitiveness of business

Charter line of action: More out of the single market

TYPE OF ACTION

Meetings with experts from participating countries, identification and exchange of good

practices.

JUSTIFICATION

SMEs still depend largely on their domestic markets despite the opportunities offered by the

enlarged single market and the decreasing trade barriers worldwide. Only 1/5 of SMEs haveexports and only 3% of SMEs have subsidiaries, branches or joint ventures abroad. Obstacles

to internationalisation include language and cultural differences, differences in the regulatory

and legislative environment and lack of knowledge of business opportunities. Extending their

activities abroad is also a big additional investment for SMEs. Therefore, they need support in

taking this step.

Internationalisation reinforces growth of enterprises as it leads to a better competitive

position. On the other hand, growth-oriented firms tend to be present internationally earlier.

The EPG has identified internationalisation of SMEs as a priority area for action in its

meeting of September. The project is also linked to the Lisbon Action Plan priority areaExtend and deepen the internal market and the Charter Action line nine More out of the

single market.

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND

The SME Observatory has carried out a project in 2003 on the internationalisation of SMEs

and another project is foreseen for 2006 analysing the problems SMEs face ininternationalisation. The proposed project will build upon the analysis performed in these

previous projects and focus on policy alternatives to support internationalisation of SMEs.


This project will examine the policies of the Member States to support internationalisation of

SMEs in particular as regards other EU countries but also expansion to third countries. The

enlarged single market has created new opportunities for companies both in the old and the

new Member States. Also, the decreasing trade barriers worldwide have created new

opportunities for companies to expand to third country markets. However, small businesses

have more difficulties in overcoming the remaining obstacles to start operating abroad.Supporting this process does not represent distortion of competition but merely helps SMEs to

reach a level playing field.


21/99

EN 20 EN

With the help of an expert group, the aim of the project is to identifyexisting policiesthat

encourage and support SMEs to draw the full benefit from increased opportunities in the

European Internal Market and from decreasing trade barriers worldwide. Good practice cases

will be highlighted.

Finally, the project will provide recommendationson how public policies can support SMEs

efforts to achieve international growth and to have a more European and internationalorientation. The Euro Info Centre network as well as research done by the SME Observatorywill be used as sources of information on problems faced by SMEs in internationalisation.


Specific Objectives:

- to identify and exchange good practices in the participating countries

- to promote internationalisation of SMEs and understanding of how this process can bepromoted

Operational Objectives:

To produce a report of the expert group and a brochure identifying best practices in promoting

internationalisation of SMEs


Autumn 2006; First expert group meeting

December 2006: Second expert group meeting (provided draft report of SME

Observatory project is available)

2007: Two expert group meetings

Final report and brochure

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget: EUR 151.000, based on the following indicative estimations:

Action Number Unit costs

(EUR)

Total Budget

(EUR)

BA B

Expert meetings 4 20.000 80.000

Translation of brochure 1 36.000 36.000


22/99

EN 21 EN

Action Number Unit costs

(EUR)

Total Budget

(EUR)

Printing of brochure 1 35.000 35.000

80.000 71.000

Total 151.000


Participation in four expert group meetings in Brussels. Participants will be asked to provide

information on existing policies promoting internationalisation of SMEs, the factors behindsuccess and recommendations for future action in this area.


INDICATOR TYPE OF MEASURABLE

1. Participation Number of countries participating in the exercise

2. Deliverables quantity

Publication of final report from the expert group, including the main

conclusions and recommendations for policy and of a brochure

indicating best practices

3. Deliverables quality Has the expert group provided sufficient information on the policy

options available for supporting the internationalisation of SMEs?Has it provided a comprehensive picture of factors of success and

failure of the policies?

Has the final report provided a comprehensive picture of thesuccessful policy options and examples of good practice? Has the

brochure provided a comprehensive picture of good practice?

In general, does the amount of information provided give raise to

substantial policy conclusions, supported by evidence?

4. Implementation Is the work contributing substantially to improve the knowledge of thistopic and to disseminate the relevant information?

Is the action having an impact in supporting the exchange of goo practice

and influencing policy-making?

5. Effectiveness Short term; uptake of measures by participating countries

Long term; contribution to increasing internationalisation of EuropeanSMEs

Uni t in charge: ENTR/E.1 Ms Heidi Hiltunen


23/99

EN 22 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.6-EUROPEAN BEST TOURISM PRACTICES

Global MAP objective: To enhance the growth and competitiveness of business in a

knowledge-based internationalised economy.

Charter line of action: Education and training for entrepreneurship

TYPE OF ACTION

This action consists of a study, an information seminar, eventually followed at a later stage bya project ensuring a continuous exchange of updated information and data. The latter will

depend on the outcome of the study and seminar and is not covered by this action.

JUSTIFICATION

There is a need for more frequent exchanges of good practices between policy makers and

stakeholders (especially SMEs) in the tourism sector. This project will encourage national,

regional and local authorities to identify and disseminate good practices in areas which are

relevant to SMEs in the tourism sector. Considering the role and economic share of the

tourism sector in the ten new EU Member States and Candidate Countries, the inventory and

especially the dissemination of good practices is extremely important for the vitality and

sustainability of the respective sector in these states.

CONTEXT

Previous work conducted in this area:

- in the UK a national initiative in the tourism sector was established in September

2001 as response to the national governments White Paper on Competitiveness.

It was one of the 15 industry forums set up with support of the Department of Trade

and Industry in the UK ;

- at the European Tourism Forum in October 2004 this initiative was presented and

much interest was expressed in its works, and the benefits which could follow from

a wider sharing across Europe.


Open call for tenders will concern:

i) study on existing good practices for promoting the growth and competitiveness of SMEs in

the tourism sector in the MAP participating countries ;

ii) seminar to disseminate knowledge of selected good practices, of the methodology of their

assessment and to promote exchange of opinions among stakeholders at all levels (national,

regional and local tourism governments, tourism companies, civil society and NGOs).


24/99

EN 23 EN


(a) Specific Objectives:

The study and the seminar will examine what is happening in the Member States concerning

Best Tourism Practices or similar actions, which principal objective is to serve as a tool to

encourage businesses in the tourism sector to innovate and to introduce new ideas by adopting

or adapting good practice, so raising their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness to the

highest level. All activities, which are de facto considered to be a Best Tourism Practice

according to the respective stakeholders will have be taken into account.

(b) Operational Objectives:

- to carry out a study to create an inventory of good practices in the Member States,

including an assessment of the performance indicators which have led to thesuccess of a given good practice and an identification of key elements that should

improve standards of service and raise levels of productivity and profit ;

- to organise a seminar in order to facilitate the widest and most effective distribution

possible of the outcome of the study and to create a platform for the exchange of

good practices, the final results will also be published by using the more traditional means

of communication and the newer ones, such as the internet in order to reach and inform

interested stakeholders;

- establishment of a questionnaire for participants in the seminar and analysis of the

replies given concerning the outcome of the seminar and the lessons learned.


**February 2006 : Finalised Call for tender for the study and seminar

**April 2006 : Publication of Call for tender

**November 2006 : Signature of Study contract

**April 2007 : Seminar and presentation of the first results of the study

**July 2007: Publication of final results and outcome of the seminar

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget: EUR 260.000 in 2006 for Credit Appropriations based on the following

indicative estimations:

ACTION NUMBER UNI T COSTS

(EUR)

TOTAL BUDGET (EUR)

Study 1 210.000 210.000


25/99

EN 24 EN

ACTION NUMBER UNI T COSTS

(EUR)

TOTAL BUDGET (EUR)

Seminar 1 50.000 50.000

Total 260.000


Contributions and practical support that is expected from the participating countries will

mainly be focussed through the Tourism Advisory Committee and its members. This willensure experts participation in meetings, contribution to reports, provision of information and

data.



1. Participation Number of participants (all stakeholders) in an event.

2. Deliverables quantity One seminar

The total number of Good Practices identified,

Number of participating countries,

3. Deliverables quality Value added of the information and data distributed and ready for

implementation by SMEs. To be measured by using standardisedevaluation sheets.

4. Implementation Implementation of the project in conformity within the planned

duration. Respect of project milestone, and budget (to befacilitated by a road map).

5. Effectiveness Outcome of replies to a Questionnaire inquiring participants in the

seminar on the output of the seminar and their intentions on how touse lessons learned if any.

Uni t in charge: ENTR/ I.1 - Mr. Mathieu Hoeberigs


26/99

EN 25 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.7-EUROPEAN PRODUCTIVITY CONFERENCE 2006



Charter line of action: Strengthening the technological capacity of small enterprises

TYPE OF ACTION

A conference on European Productivity Competitiveness through Productivity

JUSTIFICATION

An important factor to induce sustainable increases of GDP per-capita is productivity growth.

That is why competitiveness is often equated to productivityThat is also why productivitygrowth plays a key role in the Lisbon strategy of creating more growth and jobs, and is at the

core of many of the reforms proposed.

A competitive country needs competitive firms able to increase the efficiency with which the

firm converts resources into value; i.e. able to increase productivity. The challenge is big

given the increasingly knowledge-based international economy, the insufficient ICT adoption

and innovation performance by EU firms, and EUs comparative advantage on medium-tech

products rather than high-tech ones.

The productivity challenge has widely been discussed in European Councils, Competitiveness

Council and European Parliament, and it is a key element of the enterprise policy. Bydebating the issue, the Conference would contribute to a stimulating exchange of views and

best practices, both by governments and enterprises, providing actions that would improve the

productivity of industry and private and public services.

CONTEXT

The conference builds on the recent research and best practices in the enterprises and public

sector also using the studies and reports financed by the Commission. It includes both

scientific type of approach and practical enterprise approach.

The conference is part of the social partners (tripartite co-operation) programme linked to the

Finnish Presidency. A strong tripartite cooperation between trade unions, employer

organizations and the government (Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Labour) is

an essential part of the Finnish model and an important element of its success. The Ministry

of Trade and Industry has the governmental responsibilities of this Finnish Presidency-linkedconference. Since there is only one presidency for semester, the conference falls into the

category of a factual monopoly and will not be part of a call for proposal.

A website will be created with the conference material, containing practical examples and

means to develop productivity as well as the main points of the presentations. A separate

publication will be produced based on the scientific part of the conference.


27/99

EN 26 EN


The conference will be organised in Espoo, Finland 30 August -1 September 2006.

The conference will be organised under the responsibility of the Finish Ministry for Trade and

Industry. Conference organisation:

Advisory Board: 30 decision makers of business and research communities

Conference Board: A Managing Board of 15 members in charge of the implementation of the

conference

Programme Committee: Responsible for the conference programme.

The project will include two components:

1. Organisation of the conference on productivity inviting the management and personnel of

companies and public services, productivity researches, consultants and decision-makersworking in national productivity programmes.

The conference includes four main streams: National productivity programmes, what research

can offer, examples, practices and international comparisons of industry and examples,

practises and international comparisons of private and public services. Key themes to be

discussed: new technologies and organisational development; education, innovation and

intellectual capital; production methods and networking; comprehensive work place

development and consulting; new ways of management and rewarding, occupational health

and safety and social responsibility; productivity obstacles and drivers.

2. A website will be created with the conference material, containing practical examples andmeans to develop productivity as well as the main points of the presentations. Apart from theproceedings of the conference, a separate publication will be produced based on the scientific

part of the conference. Both publications will be provided by the organizers. The conference

Webpage is already available: www.epc2006.fi


Specific objectives

- To raise awareness about importance of productivity development

- To increase knowledge on productivity development

- Interchange of know-how and best practices between enterprises, social partners, research

and productivity programme experts

- To raise awareness of productivity obstacles and drivers


- Organisation of conference


28/99

EN 27 EN

- Scientific deliverables as a publication


February 2006: Conference programme ready

August-September 2006: The conference

December 2006: The publication of the proceedings. Scientific publication based

on material prepared for and presented at the conference.

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget:EUR 170.000 in 2006, based on the following indicative estimations:

ACTION NUMBER UNI T COSTS TOTAL BUDGET (EUR)

B

Organisation of the conference 140.000

Publication 30.000

Total 170.000

NOTA BENE:AN AD HOC GRANT WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FINNISH MINISTRY OF TRADE AND

INDUSTRY ON THE BASIS OF ARTICLE 168 C OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES TO THEFINANCIAL REGULATION 2342/2002 OF 23 DECEMBER 2002 DUE TO A DE FACTO

MONOPOLY FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 170.000 CORRESPONDING TO 28% OF THE

TOTAL ELIGIBLE COST OF THE PROJECT.


Participation in the Productivity conference, contributions as speakers and to the reports. The

host country to take the main responsibilities of the preparations of the conference.

Dissemination of the conference outcomes.



1. Participation - Number of people attending the European Productivity Conference as a

percentage of the number of invitations sent out.

- Total number of participants as a percentage of expected number 500

2. Deliverables

quantity

- Number of best practices published on the Web

- Number of articles in the publication


29/99

EN 28 EN

3. Deliverables

quality

- Conference well organised feedback via an exit questionnaire

- Feedback via Web on the quality on the deliverables

4. Implementation Were the deliverables delivered as planned and according to the budget

foreseen?

5. Effectiveness Short term:

- has the conference and the proceedings increased knowledge aboutproductivity development

- Has the proceedings been useful in productivity development

Long term:

- Has the conference and the proceedings contributed to the productivity

improvements in Europe

Uni t in charge: ENTR/B.2 - Ms Josefa Monteagudo


30/99

EN 29 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.8-CONFERENCE GOING GLOBAL:THE CHALLENGES FOR

KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMIES



Charter line of action: Availability of skills

TYPE OF ACTION

Financial contribution to the Finnish Presidency to organise a conference as part of the

Presidency programme.

Going Global: the Challenges for Knowledge-Based Economies

JUSTIFICATION

In the knowledge-based globalised world, Science and Technology plays a fundamental role

and can improve competitiveness and welfare, at all levels. Envisaging these potentials,Europe is increasingly relying on the creation and exploitation of knowledge, which is held as

the key competitiveness asset. This has been discussed in European councils, CompetitivenessCouncil and European Parliament, and it is a key element of enterprise policy.

The conference will focus on the challenges that globalisation poses to the knowledge-based

economies. It encompasses various theoretical, empirical and pragmatic interrelated aspects of

globalisation and their effects on science and technology and the innovation systems,economy, society and competitiveness. Attention will be devoted to the various

competitiveness-oriented policies, best practices and needs of small open economies that go

global.

This conference will directly support the Lisbon strategy for EU to become the firstknowledge-based economy by 2010. It will be part of the Finnish presidency activities and

will be organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. There is only one presidency persemester and in Finland the organisation of this conference is a competence of the Ministry of

Trade and Industry. Therefore, as part of the Finnish presidency programme, this conference

falls into the category of a factual monopoly and will not be part of a call for proposal. The

Ministry of Trade and Industry has delegated task related to the conference to the TechnicalResearch Centre of Finland, a public entity and subordinate body of the Ministry of Trade and

Industry for competence.

CONTEXT

The conference will analyse the European context with respect to its Lisbon targets. It will

also complement first results of the Finnish project on this subject as well as on the newprojects financed by MAP programmes on globalisation and projects on the impact of off-

shoring R&D on the innovation capacity of firms of Europe funded under FP6.


31/99

EN 30 EN


The conference will be held in Helsinki, Finland 21 22 September 2006.

The key organisers of the conference are the Technical Research Centre of Finland under the

auspices of The Ministry of Trade and Industry of Finland within the Six Countries

Programme (An international network of experts, policy makers and practitioners, engaged inresearch and policy making on technological change and innovation (www.6CP.net). The

Technical Research Centre of Finland is a public body and as subordinate to the Ministry of

Trade and Industry, its tasks are to:

1) carry out technical and techno-economic research and development work that is important

from the standpoints of society and business, especially industry, on its own initiative, aspublicly funded projects and in the form of contract commissions;

2) perform tasks associated with technical inspections;

3) promote technology transfer and render information services

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has invited an expert group to provide advisory guidancefor the conference content and organisation and the project team. Participants will be key

experts belonging to the policy making, entrepreneurial, academic and practitioners sphere.

National, European and international representatives from developed and developing

countries. 30 speakers and 250 participants.

Key themes of the conference

- Why and where do companies inside and outside Europe go global

- Going global: its technological and socio-economic impact at local, regional, national andsupranational level

- How going global changes technology and innovation policy-making: are new types of

governance needed

- Looking forward: making going global sustainable, sharing benefits and responsibilities.

The conference is closely linked to the Finnish project on globalisation and knowledge basedeconomies. Background paper will be produced in the project previous to the conference. The

proceedings of the conference will be produced by the end of 2006 by the Technical Research

Centre of Finland.


Specific objectives

- To raise awareness about the challenges related to globalisation and knowledge-based

economies

- To increase knowledge on the links between globalisation and knowledge-based economies

- Interchange of know-how and best practices


32/99

EN 31 EN

- To raise awareness about the technological and socio-economic impacts of globalisation

- To identify new policies capable to both address the globalisation of the economy and

support the knowledge-based economy in Europe


- Conference proceedings as a publication and on the web

- Publication of a more in-depth analysis of the impact of globalisation on the knowledge

based economy and required policies (Finnish project).

- Ideas for further studies

- Ideas for possible further policy measures


Project total duration including the Finnish project 28 months, the conference part 19 months.

(June 2005 Start of the preparation of the project and the conference

October 2005 The Finnish project starts, drafting of the background paper)

September 2006 The conference

December 2006 The proceedings of the conference available

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget:Total budget of the conference EUR 195.000 in 2006, based on the following

indicative estimations:


B

Organisation of the conference 135.000

Conference proceedings . ... 60.000

Total 195.000


33/99

EN 32 EN

NOTA BENE: AN AD HOC GRANT WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FINNISH MINISTRY OF TRADE AND

INDUSTRY, WITHIN THE FINNISH PRESIDENCY ACTIVITIES, ON THE BASIS OF ARTICLE

168C OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES TO THE FINANCIAL REGULATION 2342/2002OF 23DECEMBER 2002DUE TO A DE FACTO MONOPOLY FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 195.000

CORRESPONDING TO 49%OF THE TOTAL ELIGIBLE COST OF THE PROJECT.


Participation in the Going Global conference, contributions as speakers and to the reports. The

host country to take the main responsibilities of the preparations of the conference.

Dissemination of the conference outcomes.



1. Participation - Number of people attending the Going Global conference as a percentage of

the number of invitations sent

- Total number of participants as a percentage of expected number 250.

2. Deliverables quantity

- all the deadlines met

- number of new invents in the proceedings

- delivery of Conference proceedings

3. Deliverables

quality

- Conference well organised feedback via an exit questionnaire

- Feedback via web on the quality of the deliverables

4. Implementation Were the deliverables delivered as planned and according to the budget

foreseen?

5. Effectiveness Short term

- Has the conference and the proceedings increased knowledge aboutglobalisation and knowledge based economies?

- Have the outcomes been useful for various stakeholder groups?

Longer term

- Has the conference and the proceedings contributed to the policy discussions

and further studies and research.

Uni t in charge: ENTR/D.1 - Mr Franck Dupont


34/99

EN 33 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.9-BENCHMARKING SECTORAL POLICY INITIATIVES IN

SUPPORT OF E-BUSINESS FOR SMES

Global MAP objective: Enhance the growth and competitiveness of

business in a knowledge-basedinternationalised economy

Charter line of action: Successful e-business models and top-class

small business support

TYPE OF ACTION

Call for tenders aiming to collect information and assess key existing sectoral policy

initiatives and public-private partnerships promoting e-business for SMEs at national and

regional level, notably in the EU-25 countries, EEA countries, the US and Canada.

JUSTIFICATION

The importance of the sectoral approach on public policies related to the promotion of e-

business among SMEs has been largely recognised. Sectoral initiatives can potentially be

more efficient than broader generic strategies to promote SME uptake of e-business. Member

States have realised this and have developed national and regional sectoral e-business policy

initiatives to promote business opportunities and creation of partnership networks within

individual sectors at regional level. These policy initiatives have the potential to produce more

sector-specific solutions, training and instructions to increase skills within individual sectors.They usually support sectors that national governments recognise as having potential to add

value to the economies of their countries. They allow sharing of experiences and informationat sectoral and cross-sectoral level. However, no sufficient knowledge, analysis and

assessment exist of those policies and other private-public partnerships in this field.

CONTEXT

This action will be launched in support of the eBSN (e-business Support Network for SMEs),

(http://www.e-bsn.org/portal/home.do), about which a project (ENT/MAP/06/1.1) has been

accepted in November 2005.

As confirmed in the Cambridge conference 2005 E-Business: The Way Forward, in

December 2005, the eBSN has decided to focus policy exchanges and actions on four e-business related policy priorities, i.a. the sector specific policy approaches.


35/99

EN 34 EN


This benchmarking project will collect information and documentation on key existing

sectoral policy initiatives and public-private partnerships promoting e-business for SMEs at

national and regional level, notably in the EU-25 countries, EEA countries, the US and

Canada. The project will proceed with analysis and assessment of those policy initiatives

against a clear and analytical benchmarking framework to be proposed by the tender.

In particular, the project will:

- collect information and documentation on key existing sectoral policy initiatives andpublic-private partnerships promoting e-business for SMEs (including best practices for

promoting cross-border e-retailing)at national and regional level, in the EU-25 countries,EEA countries, the US and Canada;

- propose a clear, analytical benchmarking framework against which those policies will beassessed. This framework will be discussed and validated by the eBSN Steering Group;

- analyse and assess those policy initiatives against the pre-defined benchmarkingframework, with a view to identify good policy elements with the potential to derive goodresults;

- validate the results with the eBSN Steering Group;- organise an eBSN workshop to present the good policy elements in sectoral policy

approaches promoting e-business for SMEs;

- prepare and publish a report with good examples and policy elements in sectoral policyapproaches in promoting a digital value chain.


Specific Objectives:- Improve SMEs competitiveness through the identification of good examples of sector-

oriented public policies to support the uptake of e-business by SMEs with a view to

creating digital value chains;

- Spread the knowledge on good policy elements in promoting the establishment of digitalvalue chains;

- Encourage policy makers in this area to exchange experiences and learn from goodexamples.


- Collect information and documentation on key existing sectoral policy initiatives andpublic-private partnerships promoting e-business for SMEs at national and regional level,notably in the EU-25 countries, EEA countries, the US and Canada;

- Analyse and assess those policy initiatives against the pre-defined benchmarkingframework, with a view to identify good policy elements with the potential to derive good

results;

- Organise an eBSN workshop to present the good policy elements in sectoral policyapproaches promoting e-business for SMEs;

- Prepare and publish a report with good examples and policy elements in sectoral policyapproaches in promoting a digital value chain.


36/99

EN 35 EN


The expected duration of the project is 12 months.

May 2006 Publication of a call for tenders

October 2006 Signature of the contract

October 2006 October 2007 Implementation of the action

PROJECT COSTS

The overall project cost is expected to be 250.000 EUR in 2006.

ACTION NUMBER UNIT COSTS TOTAL BUDGET

B line

Data collection 1 1 90 000

Benchmarking ofavailable solutions

1 1 100 000

Organisation of the

workshop

1 1 50 000

Publication of the

final report (layout

and printing of 2000

copies)

1 1 10 000

Total 250 000


The Participating Countries are requested to support this initiative, in particular the data

collection phase, by providing detailed information on their relevant policy measures, at

national and regional level, making available the key policy developers for interviews and

analytic discussions, etc. They are also expected to participate actively in the eBSN Steering

Group meetings validating the methodology and the results, as well as in the final workshop.

Moreover, the Participating Countries will be asked to review and comment upon the interim

and final benchmarking report; they will also be asked to support the dissemination of the

results of this benchmarking study at the national level through relevant national, local or

sectoral initiatives.


37/99

EN 36 EN



1. Participation- Number of participating countries;- Number of identified policy initiatives;

2. Deliverables quantity- Analytic benchmarking framework- Workshop to present the final results- Final report summarising and assessing the activities, and

highlighting the good policy elements.

3. Deliverables quality- Thoughtful analysis and identification of good policy elements

4. Implementation- Timely delivery of the expected deliverables;- Respect of budget planning

5. Effectiveness- Number of good sectoral policy initiatives and elements identified

and promoted through this benchmarking study.

Uni t in charge:ENTR/D.4 Ms Dana Eleftheriadou


38/99

EN 37 EN

ENT/MAP/06/1.10-BENCHMARKING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE E-BUSINESS

SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES FOR SMES

Global MAP objective: Enhance the growth and competitiveness of

business in a knowledge-basedinternationalised economy

Charter line of action: Successful e-business models and top-class

small business support

TYPE OF ACTION

Call for tenders aiming to collect information and assess the various commercially available

products and services that address the e-business needs of SMEs. Moreover, it will develop an

intelligent tool that will be able to assess and map the current needs of an SME wishing totransform to e-business to appropriate, market available e-Business solutions and services.

JUSTIFICATION

SMEs have different needs with respect to ICT and e-business applications as compared to

large companies. They may have difficulties in recruiting ICT professionals. In addition, the

budgets they can dedicate to ICT related purchases are sometimes limited. These factors

reinforce the importance of finding integrated and interoperable e-business applications.

When the Go Digital initiative was launched,10 the aim was to help SMEs better use the

internet as a business tool. Since then, the uptake of e-business has been continuouslygrowing. While the creation, promotion and support of a favourable e-business environment

still remains a priority, the policy focus has shifted towards a more productive integration ofICT within business processes.11 This can be facilitated by better awareness about the

commercially available solutions, as well as about their characteristics and mapping them to

specific SME business processes and needs.

CONTEXT

This project is proposed to be launched within the framework of eBSN (European e-business

Support Network for SMEs), about which a project (ENT/MAP/06/1.1) has been accepted in

November 2005.

As confirmed in the Cambridge Conference The Way Forward in December 2005, theeBSN has decided to focus policy exchanges and actions on four e-business related policy

priorities, two of which have been the Improving the availability of e-business solutions

for SMEs and e-business for microenterprises. In this context, the proposed action aims

at creating a tool with information and assessment of the various commercially available

10Commission Communication, Helping SMEs Go Digital, COM(2001)136 Final 13 March 2001.11

Commission Communication Adapting e-business policies in a changing environment: the lessons of go digitaland the challenges ahead, COM (2003)148 Final 27 March 2003.


39/99

EN 38 EN

products and services that address the e-business needs of SMEs. This should be of help to the

SMEs intermediaries and e-business advisors in properly coaching SMEs towards their e-business transformation.


This action aims at collecting information and assessing the various commercially available

products and services that address the e-business needs of SMEs. Moreover, it will develop an

intelligent tool that will be able to assess and map the current needs of an SME wishing totransform to e-business to appropriate, market available e-business solutions and services. The

tool will serve to guide the e-business transformation process of SMEs by providing a set ofoptions and their merits, as well as their technical and interoperability characteristics. Its level

of sophistication and the complexity of information are to be addressed to e-business advisors

and coaches rather than directly to SMEs.

More specifically this action will:

- collect information on the various market available e-business solutions (includingsolutions designed to help SME's retail to consumers across borders in the EU and comply

with relevant legislation) and services addressing in particular the needs of SMEs.

- propose a clear, analytical benchmarking framework against which those solutions will beassessed. This framework will be discussed and validated by the eBSN Steering Group and

representatives of the ICT industry, including the OSS market, on invitation of the

Commission services.

- analyse and assess those e-business solutions against the pre-defined benchmarkingframework, with a view to identify and map their characteristics to specific SMEs needs.

- validate the results with the eBSN Steering Group and representatives of the ICT industry,including the OSS market, on invitation of the Commission services.- develop and pilot test an intelligent on-line tool, user-friendly to SMEs advisors, that will

be able to assess and map the current needs of an SME wishing to transform to e-business

to appropriate, market available e-business solutions and services.

- make available this on-line tool on the eBSN portal for use by any interested partyOBJECTIVES (SPECIFIC AND OPERATIONAL)

Specific Objectives: Improve SMEs competitiveness through the support to a better

integration of ICT in their business processes, by promoting awareness on available e-

business solutions and services for SMEs.


- Collect information and assess the various market available e-business solutions andservices addressing in particular the needs of SMEs.

- Develop an intelligent tool that will be able to assess and map the current needs of an SMEwishing to transform to e-business to appropriate, market available e-business solutions

and services.

- Make available this tool on the eBSN portal for use by any interested party.


40/99

EN 39 EN


The expected duration of the project is 12 months.

May 2006 Publication of a call for tenders

October 2006 Signature of the contract

October 2006 October 2007 Implementation of the action

PROJECT COSTS

The overall project cost is expected to be 400 000 EUR in 2006.

Action Number Unit Costs Total Budget

B line

Data collection 1 1 100 000

Assessment of

available solutions

1 1 100 000

Development ofsoftware tool 1 1 200 000

Total 400 000


The Participating Countries are requested to support this initiative, in particular the data

collection phase, by creating publicity among the ICT market and OSS community, through

their national and regional business support networks and relevant associations.

The Participating Countries are invited to support the dissemination of the results and the use

of the tool resulting from this benchmarking study at the national level through the relevantnational, local or sectoral networks of SME business organisations, Chambers of Commerce,

Business Councils, etc.



1. Participation- Number of e-business solutions and services suppliers participating

2. Deliverables quantity- On-line tool summarising and assessing the various e-business

solutions.- Number of visits of the on-line tool , per Member State, once it is

operational on the eBSN portal

3. Deliverables quality- Thoughtful analysis and identification of good policy elements

4. Implementation- Timely delivery of the expected deliverables;- Respect of budget planning

5. Effectiveness- Number of SMEs advisors using the tool.

Uni t in charge: ENTR/D.4 Ms Dana Eleftheriadou


41/99

EN 40 EN

CHAPTER2:

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP


42/99

EN 41 EN

ENT/MAP/06/2.1PACKAGE OF IMPROVED COMMUNICATION LINKS WITH

SMESTAKEHOLDERS

Global MAP objective: To promote entrepreneurship

Charter line of action: All lines of action of the Charter

TYPE OF ACTION

The project will cover a series of studies, services and production of communication tools to

enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of the information and policy messages for SME

stakeholders.

JUSTIFICATION

The External Evaluation of the MAP pointed to the need to enhance visibility and improve

dissemination of policy actions and recommendations produced by projects. The evaluation

recommended that dissemination activities are developed early on in a project, and includesupport for dissemination at national and regional level. With respect to the means of

communication, the report recommended less publication-type actions especially for products

and actions with tangible benefits for SMEs. For these reasons, it is important to assess

existing communications channels and develop improved tools that will ensure the greatest

impact for policy dissemination by situating it within the overall function of the SME Envoy.

Such initiatives are also strongly supported by the new Commission Action Plan on

communication.

CONTEXT

- External Evaluation of MAP (2001-2005), July 2004

- New SME Policy for Growth and Jobs, Communication from the Commission: refers to the

Commissions intention to improve communication efforts toward SME stakeholders through

more targeted messages and more diversified tools.

- Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe by the Commission (2005)


The project will include three main action areas:

1. Promotion and communication support to projects in the area of entrepreneurship and

SMEs:

- creation of a professional information and communication toolkit for promotion atevents (stand, presentation, one-page leaflets on each project).


43/99

EN 42 EN

- development of targeted promotional material (provision foreseen for two

audiovisual presentations and three web publishing activities) for projects with high

communication potential.

2. Evaluation: survey, assessment of the effectiveness of existing means of communication

with stakeholders and consulting services to help improve the accessibility and effectiveness

of our communication messages, channels and tools.

3. Development of specialised tools to present an integrated message about EuropeanCommission activities on SMEs (SME Envoy function):

- creation and promotion of a user-friendly, single electronic access point for SMErelated information originating from all relevant DGs and directing users to the relevant

networks (EIC, IRC).

- compilation of a comprehensive list of specialised communication channels (press,

audiovisual, internet) in each Member State and associated countries for the purposes of

targeted promotion and dissemination.

The project will be implemented through a combination of existing and future framework

contracts and restricted calls for tender. If any of the deliverables can not be executed under

the proposed contracts, a separate call for tender will be launched to cover it.


Specific Objectives: Enhance the visibility and accessibility of SME-related information by

developing improved means for communicating towards SME stakeholders.

Operational Objectives:

Development of the following tools, services and studies:

1. - information and communication toolkit

- two audiovisual presentations of SME related projects

- three web publishing activities

2. - evaluation (survey and assessment of the effectiveness) of existing communication

channels

- consulting services for improving effectiveness of communication messages

3. - user-friendly single electronic access point for SME related information

- compilation of list of specialised communication channels


24 months


44/99

EN 43 EN

Signature of contracts - February 2006

First deliverables Dec. 2006

Final deliverables Dec. 2007 (majority of deliverables in the first semester 2007)

PROJECT COSTS

Total budget:EUR 850.000 in 2006, based on the following indicative estimations:


B

Inform. Comm. toolkit 100.000 100.000

Audiovisual presentations 2 125.000 250.000

Web publishing activities 3 15.000-

40.000

80.000

Evaluation study 1 90.000 90.000

Consulting services 1 30.000 30.000

Web single access point 1 240.000 240.000

Specialist media list 1 60.000 60.000

Total 850.000


No direct support is requested. A sample of countries may be asked to provide feedback and

answer short telephone surveys during the impact assessment exercise or act on a voluntary

basis as test audience for the new tools to be developed.



1. Participation Use of the communications tools by relevant services and bystakeholders.

2. Deliverables quantity Information and communication toolkit to be produced in all EClanguages on a print-on-demand basis.

Evaluation study, including a survey of around 600 SME stakeholders.

Comprehensive database of relevant specialised communication channels

in all Member States and participating countries.

3. Deliverables quality Feedback mechanisms (including the SME test panels) will ensure that


45/99

EN 44 EN

all publications (electronic and printed) will be in easily digestedattractive and user-friendly format

4. Implementation Outputs to be delivered within project timeline and projected budget.

5. Effectiveness Feedback from test-panels and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness ofnew communication strategy and tools.

Unit i n charge: ENTR/ E.4 Ms Tina Zournatzi in collaboration with ENTR/R.4 Mr. HughBarton-Smith


46/99

EN 45 EN

ENT/MAP/06/2.2EUROPEAN ENTERPRISE AWARDS

Global MAP objective: To promote entrepreneurship

Charter line of action: Education and training for entrepreneurship (indirectly all thelines)

TYPE OF ACTION

The project will provide organisational and logistical support for the European Enterprise

Awards, an award scheme that recognises excellence in promoting entrepreneurship in theregions.

JUSTIFICATION

The European Enterprise Awards are the first award scheme for policy making andimplementation of initiatives that promote enterprise in Europe. They form part of the

awareness campaigns envisaged in the SME Communication Strategy, and help create

visibility and take-up of the policy areas identified in the European Charter for Small

Enterprises. The Awards contribute to two of the DG ENTR horizontal policy priorities: first,

facilitating the environment for businesses and raising the profile of business, especially of

SMEs, and, second, boosting entrepreneurship in Europe.

CONTEXT

- Communication on new SME policy for growth and jobs

- VP Verheugens announcement on 11 October 2005 at Competitiveness Council precededby presentations and discussions at Competitiveness Councils in 2004.

- Project ENTR/05/012 for the Design and launch of an award scheme for European

centres/regions promoting entrepreneurship. (Invitation to tender N ENTR/05/012, Service

Contract SI2.409978).

- The proj

Best Procedures EUproject2006

Documents

Transcript of Best Procedures EUproject2006