WRITTEN QUESTION E-2252/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (2 July 1997)

Subject: SMU and craft industries

With reference to the question of craft industry and small and medium-sized undertakings (Doc. CES 328/97), bearing in mind the special situation and problems faced by craft industries frequently raised in official Commission and European Parliament documents, and stressing the importance of this sector to the European economy because of the number of firms and jobs concerned and the contribution it makes to GDP, appropriate political action should be taken at European level, complementing policies to support SMU and taking account of their special characteristics, enhancing their economic and social role and, above all, supporting craft industries as a breeding ground for new firms and new jobs.

Will the Commission establish a European academy of craft trades and small firms and support the development of a European identity for craft industries and small firms, encouraging them to prosper at European level?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1997)

At the first European Conference on the Craft Industry and Small Enterprises, which was held in Avignon in 1990, the participants put forward the idea of a European Craft and Small Business Academy, the purpose of which would be to promote the craft and small- enterprise sector at European level. This project was considered again in greater detail at the second European Conference on the Craft Industry and Small Enterprises, which was held in Berlin in September 1994.

In its communication on 'The craft industry and small enterprises, the keys to growth and employment in Europe' ((COM(95) 502 final. )), which set out the results of the Berlin Conference, the Commission confirmed that it was in favour of such a project but felt that the initiative should be taken by the sector's representative organisations. The Commission also pointed out that it was up to the sector to hold consultations in order to draw up a coherent, viable project for the creation of the Academy, to which all the enterprises and representative organisations of the sector should be able to relate.

This initiative was finally implemented on 27 September 1996, when the European Union of the Craft Sector and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (UEAPME) and the European Committee for Small and Medium-sized Independent Companies (EUROPMI) submitted a joint proposal to the Commission for the creation of the Avignon Academy. The Commission asked the UEAPME and the EUROPMI to provide further information. This they did in their letter of 17 June 1997, in which they informed the Commission of the creation of the 'Académie Avignon asbl' and the future publication of the relevant notice in the 'Moniteur Belge'. The Commission therefore intends to provide financial support for the launching of the Academy as soon as possible.

In addition, the Commission has published a call for proposals ((OJ C 117,15.4.1997. )) concerning assistance for craft enterprises and small enterprises. The Commission hopes to be able to select a number of projects dealing with the development of a European identity in the craft sector and small enterprises. One of the objectives of the call for proposals is the promotion of a European business culture and spirit of enterprise, with particular emphasis on strengthening the role of women entrepreneurs and enhancing the image of small enterprises and the craft sector by demonstrating their qualities and opportunities, particularly to young people, parents and the teaching profession. The deadline for submitting proposals was 16 June 1997. The Commission is currently assessing the proposals received. Finally, in conjunction with the Italian authorities, the Commission is holding the third European Conference on the Craft Industry and Small Enterprises in Milan on 20 and 21 November 1997. The subject of enhancing the image of the craft sector and small enterprises will be discussed in working parties on the basis of the results of the preparatory symposia.