COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European parliament and the Council COSME - Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs 2014-2020 Monitoring Report 2015
Date: 2018-06-04
Institutions: Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, EU programme, aid to undertakings, business start-up, commitment of expenditure, competitiveness, financial control, market access, small and medium-sized enterprises

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 4.6.2018 SWD(2018) 300 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European parliament and the Council  COSME - Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs 2014-2020 Monitoring Report 2015 {COM(2018) 388 final} - {SWD(2018) 299 final}  
 
 
Contents 
A.  ACCESS TO FINANCE ...................................................................................................................... 4 

GRO/SME/15/A/N01 – Financial Instruments – Loan Guarantee Facility including the SME Initiative .. 4 

GRO/SME/15/A/N02 – Financial Instruments – Equity Facility for Growth .......................................... 11 

GRO/SME/15/A/N03 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS- ACCOMPANYING ACTIONS ................................... 14 

B.  ACCESS TO MARKETS ................................................................................................................... 19 

GRO/SME/15/B/N01  Enterprise Europe Network .................................................................... 19 

GRO/SME/15/B/N02 - YOUR EUROPE BUSINESS PORTAL .................................................................... 22 

GRO/SME/15/B/N03 - SME Internationalisation .................................................................................. 24 

GRO/SME/15/B/N04 - EU-JAPAN CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION ........................................ 25 

GRO/SME/15/B/N05 - INDUSTRIAL POLICY COOPERATION .................................................... 26 

GRO-SME-15-B-N07 - Information Platform on Parcel Delivery Services ............................................. 27 

C.  FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS FOR ENTERPRISES ........................................................................... 30 

GRO/SME/15/C/N011 - SME POLICY (SPR, SBA, outreach) ....................................................... 30 

GRO/SME/15/C/N012 - SME POLICY (SPR, SBA, outreach) ....................................................... 31 

GRO/SME/15/C/N019 – Statistics for Family Businesses ...................................................................... 33 

GRO/SME/15/C/N02 - EU Stakeholder Platform for Better Regulation ................................. 35 

GRO/SME/15/C/N03 - EUROPEAN COMPETITIVENESS REPORT ............................................. 36 

GRO/SME/15/C/N06 - Fourth European Forum on Social Entrepreneurship in Plovdiv 
(Bulgaria) ............................................................................................................................................ 37 

GRO/SME/15/C/N07  – Cluster Excellence Programme ............................................................ 38 

GRO/SME/15/C/N09 - The European Resource Efficiency Excellence Centre ...................... 40 

GRO/SME/15/C/N10 - Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) ....................................................... 41 

GRO/SME/15/C/N11 - Design-based consumer goods .............................................................. 48 

GRO/SME/15/C/N12 – TOURISM ................................................................................................... 49 

GRO/SME/15/C/N131 - European Construction Observatory ................................................. 57 

GRO/SME/15/C/N132 - Follow-up actions on the Communication on Sustainable 
Competitiveness of the Construction sector. ............................................................................... 62 

GRO/SME/15/C/N133 - Implementation of the Action Plan “Construction 2020”- WIOD 
database .............................................................................................................................................. 64 

GRO/SME/15/C/N134 - Participation of DG GROW to the 2016 Marché International des 
Professionnels de l’Immobilier (MIPIM) exhibition ................................................................... 66 

GRO/SME/15/C/N141 - BIO-BASED PRODUCT MARKETS ......................................................... 67 

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GRO/SME/15/C/N142 - BIO-BASED PRODUCT MARKETS ......................................................... 68 

D.  ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE.......................................................... 71 

GRO/SME/15/D/N01 - ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ............................................ 71 

GRO/SME/15/D/N02 - Creation of a European wide e-platform for women 
entrepreneurship .............................................................................................................................. 73 

GRO/SME/15/D/N03: Digital Entrepreneurship (awareness raising campaign) and digital 
transformation of enterprises ........................................................................................................ 74 

ACTIONS FROM WORK PROGRAMME 2014 ........................................................................................ 77 

FACILITATING ACCESS TO LIGHT RPAS[1] REGULATION .......................................................... 77 

IPR SME Helpdesks ............................................................................................................................ 78 

CLUSTER INTERNATIONALISATION PROGRAMME FOR SMES .................................................. 83 

GRO/SME/14/C/N02: E-SKILLS FOR COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION ........................ 86 

GRO/SME/14/C/N11 - The European Resource Efficiency Self-Assessment Tool for SMEs - 
ASME/COSME/2014/005, call for tender ..................................................................................... 90 

GRO/SME/14/D/N03 - DIGITAL Entrepreneurship Monitor .................................................... 91 

GRO/SME/14/D/N05 - Entrepreneurship Education (Pan-European Entrepreneurial 
Learning Initiative) ........................................................................................................................... 94 

SUPPORT MEASURES .......................................................................................................................... 100 

GRO/SME/15/F/114 - Studies on Smart Grids: Smart Grids Lighthouse Projects (Lot 1)  100 

GRO/SME/15/F/S115 – Membership fee International Rubber Study Group (SM 2015)  100 

GRO/SME/15/F/117 - Studies on Smart Grids: Barriers and Opportunities for Deployment 
(Lot 2) ................................................................................................................................................ 101 

GRO/SME/15/F/S119 - Composition and drivers of energy prices and costs: Case studies 
in selected energy intensive industries" ..................................................................................... 102 

GRO/SME/15/F/S120 - Supporting study for the fitness check for the construction sector 
– second phase on EU environment and occupational health & safety legislation............. 104 

GRO/SME/15/F/S121 - Study international comparison of cumulative costs for the 
chemicals industry and their impact on competitiveness ...................................................... 105 

GRO/SME/15/F/S122 - Competitiveness and climate change, environment, energy and 
transport policies – EU competitiveness and the 2030 framework: An industry 
perspective [ENT/SME/14/F/S108, GRO/SME/15/F/S122 and GRO/SME/16/F/S109] .. 106 

GRO/SME/15/F/S123 - Cumulative Costs Assessment of the European Glass and Ceramics 
industries .......................................................................................................................................... 107 

GRO/SME/15/F/S124 - Study on the review of the list of Critical Raw Materials for 2016 
(3rd revision) ................................................................................................................................... 109 

GRO/SME/15/F/S212 – Side event on EU Food SMEs at EXPO Milano 2015: Feeding the 
Planet ................................................................................................................................................. 111 

GRO/SME/15/F/S213 – Regional integration workshops in the area of defence .............. 112 

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GRO/SME/15/F/S214 - Raw Materials Diplomacy Events (RMDE) ....................................... 113 

GRO/SME/15/F/S215 - Follow-up to the HL Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply 
Chain .................................................................................................................................................. 115 

GRO/SME/15/F/S217 - Activities related to the work of the Expert Group for Bio-based 
Products ............................................................................................................................................ 117 

GRO/SME/15/F/S218 – International BIO Convention ........................................................... 118 

GRO/SME/15/F/S219 – Industrial Policy Initiative for the pharmaceutical industry ...... 119 

GRO/SME/15/F/S224 - Conference on construction with the Latvian presidency ............ 120 

GRO/SME/15/S226 - EBO - European Business Organisations .............................................. 122 

GRO/SME/15/F/S228 - Workshop on the cumulative impact of EU regulations in the 
chemicals industry .......................................................................................................................... 123 

GRO/SME/15/F/S229 - High-level Conference on Sustainable and Clean Industries ....... 125 

GRO/SME/15/F/S230 - Conference on Social Economy and Social Enterprises under the 
LU Presidency. .................................................................................................................................. 126 

GRO/SME/15/F/S234 - European Smart and Living City Conference 2015 ........................ 127 

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURES .................................................................................................... 130 

GRO/SME/15/F/S015 - Corporate communication campaign on COSME benefits for SMEs
 ............................................................................................................................................................. 130 

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A.  ACCESS TO FINANCE 

The first specific objective of COSME, is “to improve access to finance for SMEs in the form 
of equity and debt” as described in Article 8 of the COSME Regulation. Specific provisions 
for the financial instruments are provided for in Article 16 – 19, with the Equity Facility for 
Growth covered by Article 18 and the Loan Guarantee Facility by Article 19.  

In  2015,  there  were  up  to  three  actions  to  be  financed  under  this  specific  objective  with  a 
budget of around EUR 162.9 million. 

GRO/SME/15/A/N01 – Financial Instruments – Loan Guarantee 
Facility including the SME Initiative1 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  Loan  Guarantee  Facility  (LGF)  under  COSME  is  the  successor  of  the  SME  Guarantee 
Facility established under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme - CIP 
(2007 - 2013). 
In line with the Europe 2020 strategy, the overall policy objective of the COSME Financial 
Instruments is to improve access to finance for SMEs in the form of equity and debt. Under 
the LGF, this will be achieved by incentivising financial intermediaries to provide financing 
to those SMEs which the financial intermediary would under its normal business practices not 
finance due to the higher risks involved, thereby providing financing to SMEs who otherwise 
would not be able to obtain financing. 

The LGF provides: 

o 

o 

counter-guarantees and other risk sharing arrangements for guarantee schemes; 

direct  guarantees  and  other  risk  sharing  arrangements  for  any  other  financial 
intermediaries meeting the eligibility criteria. 

The LGF consists of: 

o 

o 

capped  guarantees  for  debt  financing  covering  any  type  of  loans,  including 
subordinated  and  participating  loans,  bank  guarantees,  leasing  transactions  and 
working capital financing; 

securitisation of SME debt finance portfolios, providing guarantee coverage on a part 
of  the  mezzanine  tranche  of  a  securitised  SME  lending  portfolio  coupled  with  an 
undertaking by the originating institutions to build up a new SME loan portfolio. 

The LGF covers, except for loans in the securitised portfolio, loans up to EUR 150 000 and 
with a minimum maturity of 12 months. The LGF may also cover loans above EUR 150 000 
in cases where SMEs would not meet the innovation criteria specified under the SME window 
in the Debt Facility of the Horizon 2020 programme (the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility).  

Implementation arrangements 

1  Further information is available as part of the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and 
the Council on financial instruments supported by the general budget according to Art.140.8 of the Financial 
Regulation as at 31 December 2015 (COM/2016/675 final) and the accompanying Staff Working Document 
(SWD/2016/0335 final)  

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The LGF is implemented by the EIF on behalf of the Commission,  as part of the single EU 
debt  financial  instrument  for  EU  enterprises’  growth  and  research  and  innovation  (R&I), 
together  with  the  InnovFin  SME  Guarantee  Facility  set  up  under  the  Horizon  2020 
programme.  The  Delegation  Agreement  signed  with  the  EIF  ensures  that  the  LGF  is 
accessible  for  a  broad  range  of  financial  intermediaries  (guarantee  societies,  national 
promotional  institutes,  commercial  banks,  cooperatives,  etc.)  which  are  experienced  in 
financial  transactions  with  SMEs  or  which  have  the  capacity  to  enter  into  financial 
transactions with SMEs. 
Target  final  recipients  under  the  capped  portfolio  guarantees  and  the  securitisation 
transactions are SMEs without a specific sector focus. The guarantee instrument is planned to 
last  until  31  December  2034  (until  last  operations  are  wound  down).  Individual  guarantee 
agreements to be signed by the entrusted entity will have a maximum duration of 10 years. 
The LGF is demand-driven  meaning that  the allocation of funding takes place  based on the 
demand  expressed  by  financial  intermediaries  also  taking  into  account  the  need  for  a  broad 
geographical distribution (e.g. through incentives to be provided from the Commission to the 
entrusted entity). 
The  EIF  is  responsible for  evaluating  and  selecting  the  financial  intermediaries  by  applying 
selection criteria and processes set out in the Delegation Agreement. The related open call for 
expression of interest for financial intermediaries published by the EIF is available at 
http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/guarantees/single_eu_debt_instrument/cosme-loan-facility-
growth/index.htm 

Relationship with Horizon 2020 
The  LGF  is  part  of  the  single  EU  debt  financial  instrument  for  EU  enterprises’  growth  and 
research  and  innovation  (R&I),  together  with  the  InnovFin  SME  Guarantee  facility  set  up 
under  the  Horizon  2020  programme.  The  InnovFin  SME  Guarantee  facility,  which  is  also 
entrusted to the EIF for implementation, provides financing to SMEs and small midcaps with 
significant  research,  development  and  innovation  (RDI)  potential  or  investments  in  RDI 
activities, both with significant technological and financial risk provided that these are eligible 
under the innovation criteria as set out in the open call for expression of interest published for 
this facility. 
Financial intermediaries are free to apply either for one or both facilities under COSME and 
Horizon  2020  in  line  with  their  business  objectives  and  possibilities  to  reach  the  potential 
target group of the different facilities. 
LGF contribution to the EU SME Initiative 
The LGF may also contribute to the financial instruments deployed under the SME Initiative, 
a  joint  instrument  combining  EU  funds  available  under  COSME  LGF  and/or  the  InnovFin 
SME Guarantee facility under Horizon 2020 and ESIF resources in cooperation with EIF/EIF 
with  a  view  to  generate  additional  lending  to  SMEs  in  specific  Member  States.  This 
contribution may take the form of uncapped portfolio guarantees or securitisation operations 
and cover the mezzanine tranche of the portfolio. The SME Initiative is conceived as an anti-
crisis measure with budget commitments over 3 years (2014-2016).  

3. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 
A first amendment to the Delegation Agreement was signed in January 2015 allowing for the 
implementation of the SME Initiative Uncapped Guarantee Instrument under COSME. 
As  the  resources  available  under  the  LGF  in  2015  were  not  sufficient  to  satisfy  market 
demand (i.e. total of applications received from Financial Intermediaries by the EIF) for the 

5 

 
 
 
financing  of  SMEs,  a  second  amendment  of  the  Delegation  Agreement  was  signed  in  July 
2015,  allowing  for  the  combination  of  LGF  resources  with  additional  risk-bearing  capacity 
under  the  European  Fund  for  Strategic  Investment  (EFSI)  so  as  to  avoid  disruption  of  the 
successful  rollout  of  the  LGF.  The  objective  of  the  so-called  LGF  Enhancement  is  to  bring 
forward in time the signature under the LGF of direct and indirect guarantee operations in the 
Member States. 
By  the  end  of  2015,  27  guarantee  agreements2  have  been  signed  with  26  financial 
intermediaries located in 17 countries (16 Member States and 1 participating third country), as 
further detailed in the graph below. 

Graph: Geographical distribution of LGF committed budget allocation in participating countries 

It is expected that under these agreements, more than EUR 7 068 million of financing will be 
provided to around 110 000 SMEs over the whole availability period of these agreements.  
As of 31 December 2015, the LGF already provided around EUR 1 292 million of financing 
to more than 51 000 SMEs, out of which almost EUR 347 million of financing were provided 
to more than 9 300 SMEs thanks to the support from the EFSI risk-bearing capacity.  
This  shows  that  the  LGF,  by  providing  financing  to  riskier  SMEs  that  otherwise  would  not 
have  had  access  to  such  financing, has  an  important  impact  on  the  real  economy  in  the  EU 
and other participating countries of the COSME programme. Furthermore, the combination of 

2   Out of which 18 agreements signed thanks to the EFSI frontloading 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
resources with EFSI allows addressing sub-optimal financing situations in the Member States 
at  a  much  faster  pace  than  would  have  been  possible  under  LGF  on  its  own,  significantly 
speeding up the much needed financing of the economy. 
At the end of 2015, actual financing was already provided to SMEs in 13 countries, as set out 
in more details in the graph below. 

Graph: Geographical distribution of SMEs (by number of SMEs having received financing) 

More than 93% of the SMEs having received financing have less than 10 employees, which 
illustrates that the LGF effectively targets SMEs having more difficulties to get access to the 
financing they need3.  
As regards loan sizes, only 0.5% of all SME transactions signed by the end of 2015 are above 
the  threshold  of  EUR  150,000  (276  transactions  out  of  an  overall  number  of  53 433 
transactions  signed),  representing  less  than  9%  of  the  overall  amount  of  financing  made 
available to SMEs. 

SME Initiative: 
In  the  course  of  2015  two  Member  States  signed  up,  namely  Spain  and  Malta.  As  both 
decided to pool resources with Horizon 2020 in order to focus on the financing of innovative 
SMEs and small midcaps, there was no LGF contribution to the SME Initiative in 2015. 
SME Guarantee Facility: 

3   As also evidenced by the latest Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises (SAFE) survey published in 
December 2015, available at http://ec.europa.eu/growth/access-to-finance/data-surveys/index_en.htm  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
The  SME  Guarantee  Facility  (SMEG)  under  CIP,  the  predecessor  of  the  LGF,  continues  to 
support  SMEs  as  for  some  of  the  operations  signed  under  SMEG,  the  availability  period  is 
still open, meaning that financial intermediaries can still include new SME loans or leases in 
the guaranteed portfolio. In 2015, an additional 13 680 SMEs received almost EUR 1.4 billion 
of  financing  supported by  SMEG.  Since  its  start,  the  SMEG  has  supported the  provision  of 
almost EUR 21 billion of financing to more than 381 000 SMEs. 

4. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 
Due  to  the  fact  that  the  availability  period  under  a  guarantee  agreement  typically  ranges 
between two and three years,  financial intermediaries  who have  successfully  rolled out  new 
higher risk lending products under the LGF (e.g. dedicated start-up loans) will most probably 
apply  for  successor  guarantees  with  the  EIF.  It  is  therefore  expected  that  the  very  strong 
market demand, as evidenced by the pipeline reports received from the EIF early 2016, will 
continue in the following years. 
It  is  currently  foreseen  that  the  LGF  will  continue  to  be  frontloaded  through  EFSI  until  the 
end of 2017. It is however important to investigate additional ways of financing the LGF, both 
under  COSME  and  EFSI  budget,  in  order  to  help  those  SMEs  which  without  the  COSME 
support would not be able to get the financing they need. 

SME Initiative: 
Additional Member States, such as Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Finland and potentially Greece, 
expressed interest to participate in the SME Initiative. Bulgaria, Romania and Finland opted 
for a combination of resources with Horizon 2020, under the uncapped guarantee option. Italy 
opted  for  a  combination  of  resources  with  COSME  under  the  securitisation  option.    The 
specific call for expression of interest published by the EIF is open until 30 September 2017 
and available at: 
 http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/guarantees/sme_initiative/smei_italy/index.htm. 

5. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
The  call  for  expression  of  interest  is  open  until  30  September  2020.  New  agreements  with 
financial intermediaries can be signed until 30 June 2021. 

6. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 
Budget available as per revised 2015 work programme4: EUR 135 043 088 
Budget finally committed: EUR 148 505 599 (remaining within the 20% flexibility provided 
for in the COSME work programme) 
The increase  of EUR 13 462 511 of the LGF committed amount is  mainly  the result of the 
global  transfer  exercise,  with  EUR  7.8  million  transferred  from  budget  line  02.0303 
(European Chemicals Agency – Chemicals Legislation) and EUR 1 million from budget line 
26.0201 (Procedures for awarding and advertising public supply, works and service contract). 
An additional EUR 3 million was reallocated from budget line 02.0201. 

4  Commission  Implementing  Decision  of  9  June  2015  amending  Implementing  Decision  C(2014)8044 
concerning  the  adoption  of  the  work  programme  for  2015  and  the  financing  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
7. INDICATORS 
For the 24 operations  signed with  financial intermediaries in 2015, the volume of financing 
which is expected to be made available to SMEs amounts to more than EUR 6 200 million, 
with an expected number of around 95 000 SMEs benefitting from financing. 
On  an  aggregate  basis,  as  of  31  December  2015,  the  LGF  already  contributed  to  provide 
around EUR 1 292 million of financing to more than 51 000 SMEs5. 
Based on the aggregate 2014/2015 budgetary commitments for the LGF (EUR 237.6 million), 
the expected leverage6 for the operations signed until the end of 2015 is almost 1 to 30.  
Based  on  the  amount  of  financing  already  provided  by  financial  intermediaries  to  eligible 
final recipients at the end of 2015, the leverage achieved at this stage amounts to 1 to 5. This 
leverage  will  significantly  increase  over  the  next  two  years  as  additional  financing  will  be 
made available to SMEs under the guarantee agreements in place. 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 
In line with Article 58.5 of the Financial Regulation, the EIF ensures appropriate annual 
ex  post  publication  of  information  on  recipients.  For  the  LGF,  this  information  is 
available  on  http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/guarantees/single_eu_debt_instrument/cosme-
loan-facility-growth/index.htm 

Recipients (financial intermediaries) as of 31/12/2015: see table below 

Country 

Financial 
Intermediary 

Address 

Type of 
support 

Budgetary 
allocation 

Agreements signed in 2014 
Germany 

Spain 

LfA Förderbank Bayern 
on behalf of other 
Landesbanken 
Nuevo MicroBank 
S.A.U. 

United 
Kingdom 

EZBOB Ltd (ex Orange 
Money Ltd) 

Agreements signed in 2015 
Austria 

Austria 
Wirtschaftsservice 
GmbH 
Flemish Participation 
Fund 
Sowalfin 

Belgium 

Belgium 

Königinstraße 17 
 80539 Munich 

Juan Gris 10-18 planta 
10, Torre Centro 
Complejo Torres Cerda 
 8014 Barcelona 
The Grove, 248a 
Marylebone Road, NW1 
6JZ London 

Ungargasse 37, 1030 
Vienna 

Oude Graanmarkt 63, 
1000 Brussels 
13 Avenue Maurice 
Destenay, 4000 Liege 

Bulgaria 

CIBank 

1 Tsar Boris III blvd, 

Portfolio 
Guarantee 

Portfolio 
Guarantee 

Portfolio 
Guarantee 

Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 

EUR 3,825,000 

EUR 35,750,000 

GBP 2,200,000 

EUR 7,310,000 

EUR 3,400,000 

EUR 3,675,000 

BGN 8,000,000 

5   For operations signed under the 2014/2015 budget - these figures will increase in the next 2 years given the 
fact  the  availability  period  to  build  up  the  SME  loan  portfolios  under  these  operations  is  typically  2  to  3 
years. 

6   Being the maximum amount of financing available to eligible final recipients devided by the aggregate EU 

contribution committed towards the LGF 

9 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
Czech Republic  CMZRB 

1612 Sofia 
Jeruzalémská 964/4, 110 
00 Prague 

Denmark 

The Danish Growth 
Fund (Vaekstfonden) 

Langelinie Allé 19, 
2100 Copenhagen 

Estonia 

France 

France 

France 

Germany 

Germany 

Hungary 

KREDEX - Credit and 
Export Guarantee Fund 

Hobujaama 4, 10151 
Tallinn 

BPCE S.A. 
(Representing the 
"SOCAMA") 
France Active  Garantie 

50 Avenue Pierre 
Mendes-France, 75201 
Paris Cedex 13 
120/122 Rue Réaumur, 
75002 Paris 

GE Capital Equipement 
Finance 
Buergschaftsbank 
Northrhine-Westphalia 

18 rue Hoche, Tour 
Facto, 92988 Paris 
Hellersbergstraße 18, 
41460 Neuss 

KfW (Kreditanstalt für 
Wiederaufbau)7 
K&H Bank 

Palmengartenstrasse 5-
9, 60325 Frankfurt 

Lechner Ödön fasor 9, 
1095 Budapest 

Italy 

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti  Via Goito 4, 00185 

Rome 

Italy 

Credito Emiliano S.p.A.  Via Emilia San Pietro 4, 

Montenegro 

Netherlands 

Poland 

Crnogorska 
Komercijalna Banka 
AD 
Qredits 

Bank Gospodarstwa 
Krajowego (BGK) 

Poland 

Idea Bank 

Poland 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Raiffeisen-Leasing 
Polska S.A. 
Libra Internet Bank 
S.A. 
Slovene Enterprise 
Fund 

United 
Kingdom 

Iwoca 

7   2 agreements signed 

42121 Reggio Emilia 
Moskovska bb, 81000 
Podgorica 

Wierdensestraat 27, 
7607 GE Almelo 
Al. Jerozolimskie 7, 00-
955 Warszawa 

Przyokopowa 33 Street, 
01-208 Warsaw 
ul. Prosta 51 

4-6 Semilunei Street, 
Sector 2, Bucharest 
Trubarjeva 11, 2000 
Maribor 

39-45 Shaftesbury 
Avenue, W1D 6LA 
London 

10 

Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 

Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 

Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 
Portfolio 
Counter-
guarantee 
Portfolio 
Guarantee 

CZK 155,000,000 

DKK 27,000,000 

EUR 4,500,000 

EUR 31,500,000 

EUR 8,250,000 

EUR 11,440,000 

EUR 18,000,000 

EUR 76,800,000 

HUF 750,000,000 

EUR 6,000,000 

EUR 13,750,000 

EUR 1,125,000 

EUR 1,625,000 

PLN 36,000,000 

PLN 19,250,000 

PLN 13,520,000 

RON 13,200,000 

EUR 8,100,000 

GBP 1,000,000 

 
 
 
                                                            
GRO/SME/15/A/N02 – Financial Instruments – Equity Facility for 
Growth8 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
The Equity Facility for Growth (EFG) is one of the successor instruments of the High Growth 
and  Innovative  SME  Facility  (GIF)  established  under  the  Competitiveness  and  Innovation 
Framework Programme - CIP (2007 - 2013). It succeeds the GIF2 window set up under GIF 
to cover expansion stage investments into SMEs.  
In line with the Europe 2020 strategy, the overall policy objective of the COSME Financial 
Instruments is to improve access to finance for SMEs in  the form of equity and debt. More 
specifically,  the  EFG  provides  enhanced  access  to  risk  capital  for  which  significant  market 
gaps exist in Europe and supports the development of a pan-European risk capital market. The 
later  will  be  achieved  by  focusing  predominantly  on  those  risk  capital  funds  which  invest 
cross-border. 
Through the EFG risk capital funds can be supported which invest into SMEs at the growth 
stage,  predominantly  on  a  cross-border  basis,  or  which  help  portfolio  companies  to  grow 
beyond their national markets with a view to supporting the development of a self-sustainable 
pan-European risk capital market.  
The characteristics of the EFG are: 
 

The  entrusted  entity  shall  make  direct  investments  in  intermediary  risk  capital  funds 
providing  investments  for  SMEs  typically  in  their  expansion  and  growth  stage.  These 
risk capital funds shall provide equity and mezzanine finance, such as subordinated or 
participating loans; 
Investments shall be long-term, normally involving 5 to 15 year positions, whereby the 
life of an investment shall not exceed 20 years; 
Investments may also be made into risk capital funds investing at the seed, start-up and 
early  stage  in  conjunction  with  the  early-stage  Equity  Facility  for  R&I  (Research  and 
Innovation)  under  Horizon  2020  whereby  the  investment  from  EFG  shall  not  exceed 
20% of the total EU investment; 
In  the  case  of  multi-stage  funds,  the  COSME  EFG  and  the  Horizon  2020  early-stage 
Equity Facility for R&I will contribute pro rata to the funding of the risk capital funds 
based on the fund’s investment policy. 

 

 

 

Implementation arrangements 
The implementation of the EFG is entrusted to the European Investment Fund (EIF).  
The Delegation Agreement signed with the EIF ensures that the EFG is accessible for a broad 
range  of  financial  intermediaries  provided  that  these  are  professionally  and  independently 
managed and that the funds are located in one of COSME participating countries. They must 
display the capacity to successfully support SMEs in their growth and expansion phase (to be 

8  Further information is available as part of the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and 
the Council on financial instruments supported by the general budget according to Art.140.8 of the Financial 
Regulation as at 31 December 2015 (COM/2016/675 final) and the accompanying Staff Working Document 
(SWD/2016/0335 final) 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
verified by the EIF during the due diligence phase). From a technical point of view, the EIF is 
instructed to invest on a pari-passu basis with other private and public investors. Target final 
recipients are SMEs in their growth and expansion stage without a specific sector focus. The 
equity instrument is planned to last until 31 December 2034 (until last operations are wound 
down). 
The EFG is demand-driven, meaning that the allocation of funding will take place based on 
the  demand  expressed  by  financial  intermediaries  also  taking  into  account  the  need  for  a 
broad  geographical  distribution  (e.g.  through  fee  incentives  which  the  Commission  has 
provided to the entrusted entity). 
The  EIF  is  responsible for  evaluating  and  selecting  the  financial  intermediaries  by  applying 
selection criteria and processes set out in the Delegation Agreement. The related continuous 
open  call  for  expression  of  interest  for  financial  intermediaries  published  by  the  EIF  is 
available at 
http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/equity/single_eu_equity_instrument/cosme_efg/index.htm 

Relationship with Horizon 2020 
The EFG is part of the single EU equity financial instrument for EU enterprises’ growth and 
research and innovation (R&I), together with the Horizon 2020 early-stage equity facility (the 
‘InnovFin  SME  Venture  Capital’  facility).  The  InnovFin  SME  Venture  Capital  facility  will 
focus on risk capital funds investing in seed, start-up and early-stage SMEs and small midcaps 
that are RDI-driven. 
Financial  intermediaries  are  free  to  apply  either  for  one  of  the  two  facilities  under  COSME 
and Horizon 2020 or for both in line with the fund’s investment policy. The InnovFin SME 
Venture  Capital  facility  succeeds  the  GIF1  equity  facility  under  the  Competitiveness  and 
Innovation Framework Programme. 

3. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 
Five commitments have been signed by EIF in 2015 under the EFG for the establishment of 
funds focusing mainly on investments in Italy, France, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany, 
but  being  also  open  to  cross-border  investments.  The  expected  volume  of  investments  into 
eligible final recipients amounts to  almost EUR 395 million and is expected to provide risk 
capital to around 53 SMEs9. Out of the five operations signed in 2015, two relate to Growth 
and Expansion Stage funds and three to Multi-Stage funds, in combination with the InnovFin 
Equity Facility for Early Stage set up under Horizon 2020. At the end of 2015, two of these 
operations  have  been  unconditionally  closed  and  the  respective  fund  agreement  with  all 
investors  have  been  signed.  Three  further  signatures  have  occurred  on  a  conditional  basis, 
meaning that the EIF committed to invest in these funds provided that the fund managers are 
able  to  attract  sufficient  additional  funding  commitments  from  other  private  and  public 
investors to reach a minimum fund size. 
In  2015,  the  GIF  (High  Growth  and  Innovative  SME  Facility)  instrument  also  continued  to 
provide risk capital to SMEs, with equity investments into 68 additional SMEs. Since its start, 
the GIF has mobilised more than EUR 3.1 billion of equity finance to more than 500 SMEs. 
This number will continue to rise over the next years as the 5-year investment period is still 
ongoing for several funds. 

9   First investments into SMEs will take place in 2016 

12 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
4. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 
According to relevant stakeholders, there is a significant shortage for risk capital investments 
in  the  market  and  lack  of  equity  finance  in  Europe  is  a  recognised  key  bottleneck  to  the 
provision  of  further  overall  SME  funding  and  growth.  This  is  also  confirmed  by  the  latest 
European  Small  Business  Finance  Outlook10  which  indicates  that  despite  recent  generally 
positive developments, private equity and venture capital investment and fundraising activity 
continues to be far below pre-crisis years (2008/2009) level. 
In  this  context,  EU  equity  instruments  such  as  the  EFG  have  an  important  role  to  play  in 
supporting  SMEs  and  addressing  market  gaps  or  sub-optimal  market  situations,  especially 
with  respect  to  the  ‘access  to  finance’  issue  for  early-stage  enterprises,  including  in  their 
expansion and growth phase. 
Based on the pipeline report received early 2016, it is expected that the 2014-2016 aggregate 
budgetary commitments (net of fees) will be fully used for commitments to EFG operations. It 
has to be highlighted that, in the case of conditional closings, despite the EIF making a firm 
commitment  of  wanting  to  invest  into  a  fund  it  may  be  that  fund  managers  fail  to  raise  the 
required additional private and public funding to reach the first closing of a fund. 
Investments into SMEs under the fund agreements signed towards the end of 2015 started to 
take place at the beginning of 2016. No single investment has been made into an eligible final 
recipient in the course of 2015. 

5. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
The  call  for  expression  of  interest  is  open  until  30  September  2020.  New  agreements  with 
financial intermediaries can be signed until 31 December 2021. 

6. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 
Budget available as per revised 2015 work programme11: EUR 50 750 000 
Budget finally committed: EUR 50 750 000 

7. INDICATORS 

For  the  five  operations  committed  to  financial  intermediaries  in  2015,  the  maximum 
investment volume available to SMEs amounts to almost EUR 395 million. It is expected that 
around  53  SMEs  will  benefit  from  these  investments.  Based  on  the  cumulative  2014-2015 
budgetary commitments for the EFG (i.e. EUR 102,4 million), the expected leverage for the 
operations signed in 2015 is 3,85. However, as the first operations have been signed towards 
the end of 2015, no achieved leverage effect can be computed for 2015. 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 
In line with Article 58.5 of the Financial Regulation, the EIF ensures appropriate annual 
ex  post  publication  of  information  on  recipients.  For  the  EFG,  this  information  is 
on 
available 

10  EIF Research & Market Analysis, Working Paper 2015/32, December 2015 
11  Commission  Implementing  Decision  of  9  June  2015  amending  Implementing  Decision  C(2014)8044 
concerning  the  adoption  of  the  work  programme  for  2015  and  the  financing  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/equity/single_eu_equity_instrument/cosme_efg/index.ht
m  

Recipients (financial intermediaries) as of 31/12/2015: see table below 

Financial 
Intermediary 

Country of 
establishment 
of the fund 

Geographical focus 
for investments 
into eligible final 
recipients 

Fund stage 

Budgetary 
allocation from 
EFG 

Agreements signed in 2015 
Caphorn 2, FPCI 
Diorama 
Investments SICAR 

France 
Luxembourg 

EMH Digital 
Growth Fund 
GmbH &Co KG 
Panakes Fund I 
SET Fund II 

Germany 

Italy 
Netherlands 

France, Multi-country 
Greece 

Multi-stage 
Growth & 
Expansion 
stage 

Germany, Multi-country  Growth & 
Expansion 
stage 
Multi-stage 
Multi-stage 

Italy, Multi-country 
Netherlands, Multi-
country 

EUR 14,250,000 
EUR 19,000,000 

EUR 9,500,000 

EUR 6,175,000 
EUR 6,650,000 

GRO/SME/15/A/N03 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS- ACCOMPANYING 
ACTIONS 

2. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
Timely  information  on  the  financial  situation  of  SMEs  is  necessary  for  evidence  based 
policymaking.  Taking  into  account  our  obligation  to  limit  the  burden  that  data  collection 
places  on  SMEs,  the  Commission  and  the  European  Central  Bank  (ECB)  designed  a  joint 
survey  on  the  financial  situation  of  SMEs.  The  Commission  waves  (the  survey  that  is  co-
financed  by  ECB  and  Commission)  is  conducted  once  a  year.  The  survey  provides 
comparable  results  across  EU  Member  States  and  other  participating  countries.  Previous 
Commission waves of the survey were conducted in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014. 
The objectives are 
- 

To address a substantial lack of available information on the financial situation of SMEs 
especially with respect to timely information,  
To  increase  availability  and  quality  of  data  on  SMEs  access  to  finance  for  policy-
making purposes, particularly concerning the start-up and growth of SMEs,  
To  limit  the  statistical  burden  imposed  on  enterprises  by  the  data  collection 
requirements  imposed  by  the  Commission  and  the  ECB  and  by  conducting  only  one 
comprehensive survey,  
To  allow  both  institutions  to  fulfil  their  individual  data  collection  task  in  a  very  cost-
efficient manner by sharing. 

- 

- 

- 

2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Access  to  Finance  multilingual  web  portal  (www.access2finance.eu),  to  be  accessed 
through  Your  Business  Europe,  is  a  single  information  point  for  SMEs  looking  for  EU 
financing in EU Member States and beyond. It provides regularly updated contact details of 
around  1,300  intermediaries,  covering  all  financial  instruments  for  more  than  €120  billion 
over a seven year period.  
In line with the objective of providing easy access to reliable information on EU sources of 
SME  financing,  the  Commission  continued  in  2015  updating  and  promoting  the  single  web 
portal on EU finance. 

3. Workshops  
Workshops  with  SMEs,  banks  and  other  financial  institutions  are  organised  to  monitor  the 
market situation and to facilitate SMEs’ access to finance. These workshops take place on an 
ad-hoc  basis  depending  on  interest/needs  expressed  by  stakeholders,  SME  financing  trends 
and political priorities.  
The objectives of such workshops are: 
- 
- 
- 

To bring together all stakeholders (SME representatives, banks and other organizations),  
To improve policies on financing innovation and SMEs,  
To  follow,  discuss  and  make  proposals  concerning  SME  financing  in  the  European 
Union,  
To monitor the SME financing environment, exchange good practices and communicate 
about European Union actions.  

- 

3. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
The 2015 survey on the access to finance of enterprises (SAFE) provides information on the 
financial situation, financing needs, access to financing and expectations of SMEs in the six 
preceding months and comprises a sample of 18,000 firms across 33 countries.  
At EU level, access to finance was the most important concern of 10% SMEs in 2015. Bank 
loans  remain  the  relevant  form  of  external  financing  for  50%  of  EU  SMEs.  Between  April 
2015 and September 2015, 28% of EU SMEs  actually applied for a bank loan.  6% did not 
apply  because  of  fear  of  rejection.  Out  of  those  who  applied,  8%  of  EU  SMEs  bank  loan 
applications were rejected. In addition to the problem of loan applications being rejected, 12% 
of successfully applying companies received less than they applied for and 2% declined the 
loan offer from the bank because they found the cost unacceptable. It means that in total 21% 
of the EU SMEs surveyed did not manage to get the full bank loan financing they had planned 
for during 2015.  
The  results  are  published  on  the  website  and  could  be  used  by  interested  parties,  including 
Member  States,  analysts,  academia 
(http://ec.europa.eu/growth/access-to-finance/data-
surveys/index_en.htm). 

2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  
In  2015  the  website  was  extended  to  include  financial  instruments  under  the  new  EU 
programmes  2014-2020:  COSME,  EaSI,  InnovFin  (Horizon  2020),  Life  and  the  EU 
Investment  Plan  (EFSI).  The  website  was  also  updated  on  new  financial  instruments 
supported by European Structural and Investment Funds.  
During  2015-2016,  the  Access  to  Finance  website  was  updated  and  extended  to  provide 
simple information how to access financial instruments from 12 different EU programmes in 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
39 countries. The website also provides specific information on EU financial instruments with 
a cleantech investment focus for climate-change objectives. 

3. Workshops  
The topics in 2015 were Supply Chain Finance, the European Small and Mid-cap awards jury 
panel meeting and a venture capital expert meeting. 
As Supply Chain Finance (SCF) is one area where the financing potential seems not be fully 
utilised,  a  workshop  with  industry  experts  was  organised  in  order  to  map  available  SCF 
practices for SMEs. The key conclusions of the workshop were as follows: 
1)  Continue  work  on  e-invoicing  at  European  level.  More  companies  need  to  be  brought 
onto platforms. Swift uploading and approval of invoices on platforms is key to success. 
Automation (e.g. third parties to have access to see status of invoice) and ease of trading 
invoices are crucial elements on such a platform. 

2)  Successful  SCF  initiatives  should  be  looked  at  more  closely  such  as  those  from  the 

Netherlands and UK.  

3)  A transparent system for the registration of collateral in these transactions is necessary to 
avoid double assignment. Law of assignments is especially complex if it is cross-border. 
Certain aspects of national insolvency laws and the ban of assignments are problematic 
for SCF. 

4)  Information  campaign:  spread  knowledge  about  SCF  to  SMEs.  Could  be  done  through 

various mean such as the Enterprise Europe Network or SME Envoys. 

5)  Develop electronic signature laws. 
6)  Short tenor ABS to be given a more favourable regulatory treatment via lower regulatory 

capital requirements (CRR/Basel III).  

The results of the workshop fed in particular into the Capital Markets Union (CMU) Action 
Plan where bankruptcy proceedings were identified as an action to deal with in the near future 
at  European  level.  The  Commission  will  propose  a  legislative  initiative  on  business 
insolvency, including early restructuring and second chance, drawing on the experience of the 
2014 Recommendation. The initiative will seek to address the most important barriers to the 
free flow of capital, building on national regimes that work well. 
As  regards  venture  capital,  following  up  to  a  2014  request  by  most  of  the  European  SME 
Envoys, which called for the establishment of a temporary technical group of national experts 
on Venture Capital financing, in early 2015 a questionnaire has been sent to national experts 
in the field (nominated by national SME Envoys) to gather feedback on various issues related 
to  development  of  venture  capital  financing  in  Europe.  The  follow  up  analysis  of  such 
responses identified a number of issues. A working group meeting has thus been organised in 
October  2015  to  discuss  such  issues  with  national  experts,  with  the  aim  of  sharing  good 
practices among Member States' representatives on various policy measures which could be 
implemented  to  encourage  the  development  of  a  well-functioning  risk  capital  market.  The 
following topics have been identified and discussed:  
  Tax incentives policies by Member States This session investigated what tax incentives 
policies  Member  States  are  considering  or  have  been  implemented  to  support  equity 
financing, in particular for innovative companies and start-ups.  

  Member States interventions to develop larger venture capital markets This session aimed 
at analysing specific policies, legislative initiatives or public financing programmes in the 
area  of  venture  capital  financing  that  Member  States  are  currently  considering  or  that 
have put in place.  

16 

 
 
 
  Financial  literacy  programmes  developed  by  Member  States.  This  session  investigated 
which  programmes  have  been  recently  developed  in  member  States  to  improve  SMEs' 
financial literacy on the availability of alternative sources of finance and the effectiveness 
of such programmes. 

Mr. Pieter Waasdorp, the SME Envoy for the Netherlands, rapporteur for 'Access to Finance', 
reported about these conclusions at the plenary of the SME Envoys Meeting of April 1st 2016 
in Amsterdam. 

4. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 
1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
The EC continues the survey on SMEs' access to finance on an annual basis, with results of 
the 2016 survey published in November 2016 and 2017 wave under preparation. 
2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  
The EU will continue to roll-out new EU financial instruments throughout Europe and seek 
new agreements with local financial institutions. The Commission hence needs to continue to 
update and promote the Access to Finance website. 
3. Workshops  
In 2017 a follow-up workshop on Supply Chain Finance may be called to discuss the latest 
developments in the field – both in the supply chain finance sector and relevant legislation at 
European and national level. 
Upon  request  of  a  follow  up  by  the  SME  Envoys,  further  venture  capital  market  analysis 
could be conducted. 

5. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
The 2015 survey round specific contract was signed on 22/09/2015. 
The SAFE survey was published on 2/12/2015.  
2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  
The specific contract was signed on 14/11/2014. 
The final report was received on 27/11/2015. 
3. Workshops  
The Supply Chain Finance workshop took place on 26/5/2015. 
The European Small and Mid-cap awards jury panel meeting took place on 14/7/2015. 
The venture capital workshop took place on 1/10/2015. 

6. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 
Budget available as per revised 2015 work programme12: EUR 1 280 000 
Budget finally committed: EUR 778 208,26 as detailed below: 
Implementation mode 
Specific contract under a 
framework contract 

1. Survey on SMEs access to 
finance 

Title 

Committed amounts 

EUR 581.792,42 

12  Commission  Implementing  Decision  of  9  June  2015  amending  Implementing  Decision  C(2014)8044 
concerning  the  adoption  of  the  work  programme  for  2015  and  the  financing  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
2. Disseminating information to 
SMEs about access to EU sources 
of financing 
3. Workshops 

Specific contract under a 
framework contract 

Specific contract under a 
framework contract and 
expert reimbursements 

EUR 159.415,84 

EUR 37.000 

EUR 498 602  were 
GRO/SME/15/A/N01 (Loan Guarantee Facility). 

reallocated 

from 

action  GRO/SME/15/A/N03 

to 

action 

7. INDICATORS 
1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
- Timely carry-out of the survey: All the milestones and final report were delivered on time as 
agreed with the contractor in the specific contract. Fieldwork started in September and final 
report was published on 2 December – delivering very timely, up-to-date results. 
- Level of dissemination of results in media: The results were published on the website and 
promoted  through  the  social  media  channels  of  DG  GROW.  Infographic  was  produced  to 
facilitate  the  dissemination  of  the  result  to  the  general  public.  The  results  were  then  also 
commentated in the press articles. 
- Geographical and thematic coverage of the survey: The survey covered all EU countries and 
additional countries participating in COSME. All aspects of the SME access to finance were 
covered by the survey. 

2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  
During 2015 the number of monthly page views was increased by 50% to 150 000. 
3. Workshops  
Positive feedback has been received from participants on quality, relevance and added value 
of workshops. 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 
1. Survey on SMEs’ access to finance  
A framework contract for the performance of surveys on the access to finance of SMEs was 
signed  by  the  ECB  also  on  behalf  of  the  European  Commission  with  Panteia  B.V.  (the 
Netherlands) on 8 May 2014 for a total duration of 4 years. 

2. Disseminating information to SMEs about access to EU sources of financing  
A  specific  contract  under  a  framework  contract  with  reopening  of  competition  was  signed 
with  Media  Consulta  on  14/11/2014  for  updating  and  promoting  the  Access  to  Finance 
multilingual web portal in 2015. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B.  ACCESS TO MARKETS 

The  second  specific  objective  of  COSME  is  “to  improve  access  to  markets,  particularly 
inside the Union but also at global level” described in Article 9 of the COSME Regulation. 
Specific provisions for the Enterprise Europe Network are provided in Article 10. 

In  2015,  there  were  up  to  6  actions  financed  under  this  specific  objective  with  a  budget  of 
more than EUR57 million. 

GRO/SME/15/B/N01 Enterprise Europe Network 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
The  objective  of  the  Enterprise  Europe  Network  is  to  ensure  the  support  of  business  and 
innovation  –  in  particular  for  SMEs  –  by  offering  information,  feedback  and  business 
cooperation  services,  innovation,  technology  and  knowledge  transfer  services  as  well  as 
services encouraging the participation of SMEs in the Community framework programmes for 
R&D.  Two  measures  were  implemented  in  2015  where  the  first  measure  relates  to  the 
activities  and  further  development  of  the  Enterprise  Europe  Network.  The  second  measure 
relates  to  the  activities  put  in  place  to  organise  the  Annual  Conference  and  to  animate  the 
Network.  It  includes  services  needed  to  operate  the  IT  tools  and  to  organize  trainings, 
working  groups,  meetings,  communication  activities  and  services  to  the  Network  partners. 
The operational objectives of the Enterprise Europe Network are: 
(1)  help  enterprises  finding  partners  outside  their  own  country  to  develop  their  business, 
increase  their  export  and  knowledge  on  other  markets,  and  improve  their  technology  and 
innovation level; 
(2)  provide  services  encouraging  the  participation  of  SMEs  in  the  Community  Framework 
Programme  for  RTD  and  promote  EU  policies  and  SMEs  access  to  EU  programmes  and 
financial instruments; 
(3)  develop  Network  recognition  and  awareness  locally;  ensure  that  the  Network  and  its 
services are known by SMEs in the geographical areas covered; 
(4)  develop  an  integrated  service  range,  where  services  towards  business  development  are 
balanced  with  services  towards  technology  and  knowledge  transfer,  and  synergies  among 
network partners are increased; 
(5)  guide  SMEs  towards  the  most  appropriate  service  provider;  implement  the  “no  wrong 
door” concept and build synergies with other relevant service providers within the Network as 
well as in the region, to offer complementary services; 
(6) continuously increase the quality and effectiveness of the integrated services provided by 
the Network; 
(7)  contribute  to  the  SMEs  Feedback  function  by  consulting  businesses  and  obtaining  their 
opinion on Community policy options; 
(8) build an efficient management system in reducing the administrative burden for all parties, 
for planning, reporting and monitoring. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 
The  year  2015  has  been  the  first  year  of  the  Network  in  the  COSME  period  with  527 
participating  organisations  from  90  consortia covering  all  regions  of  the  EU  and  8 COSME 
participating  countries,  including  Serbia  and  Armenia  who  joined  the  Network  early  2016. 
Framework partnership agreements were put in place and specific grants agreements for the 
first operational period 2015-2016 were signed. The average EU contribution to the eligible 

19 

 
 
 
 
costs of Network partners is about 53%. Additionally, there were 30 cooperation agreements 
signed for Business Cooperation Centres in 29 third countries. They focus their activities on 
partnership services and have to finance their activities by their own resources.  (please refer 
to  een.ec.europa.eu    for  the  current  list  of  partners).  Additionally,  conditional  terms  for 
Associated Membership were signed with 13 organisations.   
An inception survey was carried after 6 months of operation which showed that over 90% of 
the activities started activities as planned or with minor deviations. A smooth integration of 
new  partners  was  reported  by  92%  of  the  consortia  concerned  and  55%  reported  notable 
major successes in the first six months of Network activity. 

A new monitoring and reporting strategy was introduced in 2015 to implementing a renewed 
focus  on  quality,  efficiency  and  impact  of  Network  activities.  The  goal  is  to  foster  results-
oriented  Network  activities  achieving  high  numbers  of  quality  outcomes  which  have  the 
potential to generate a noticeable impact on SME's businesses. The aim is to improve both the 
quantity and the quality achieved with the resources invested, to reach a higher impact. 

A  questionnaire  which  monitors  the  implementation  of  the  Code  of  Conduct  by  Network 
partners  was  launched.  Feedback  is  being  used  to  simplify  and  improve  it  to  better  monitor 
the  quality  and  efficiency  of  processes  behind  the  Network's  activities  and  their  results. 
Advisory  Services  Outcomes  (ASOs)  were  a  particular  challenge  for  Network  partners  in 
2015, especially on its definition as well as on the process leading to achievements.  Together 
with  the  Network,  EASME  clarified  the  ASO  definition,  leading  process,  reporting 
requirements, and provided training and new guidelines.  

The  contribution  of  the  Network's  resources  to  Climate  Action  objectives  is  estimated  at 
25,4%. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 
Network  partners  were  consulted  on  their  work  programme  for  the  years  2017-2018.    The 
indicative budgets for each consortium for this second operational period are the same as the 
budgets granted in the first period.   

The  efficiency  of  the  governance  structure  of  the  Network  needs  to  be  further  improved, 
especially on the role of the Network's Steering and Advisory Group, the sector groups and 
the  thematic  contact  points  which  have  put  in  place  in  2015.  The  Network's  learning  and 
development should focus more on experience and knowledge  sharing using new tools such 
as  e-learning  modules  and  materials.  Regional  linkages  between  Network  organisations  and 
regional players involved in SME and innovation support will be further developed. 

20 

 
 
 
 
4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

CONSULTATION WP 2017-2018 FINISHED BY END OF 2016 
STARTING DATE OF THE GRANT AGREEMENTS: 1/1/2017 
END OF THE PROJECT: 31/12/2018 

The  signature  of  the  specific  grant  agreements  2017-2018  by  EASME  was  finalised  early 
2017. 

The review of the SAG governance, working groups and thematic contact points was finalised 
by the end of 2016. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 
It has to be noted that the COSME budget of 2014 together with the budget of 2015 has been 
used for the commitments of the first operational period covering the years 2015-2016.  
Total  budget  available  and  committed  for  the  Network  Grants  2015-2016  is  €  100.175.609 
and is financed by: 

- 
- 
- 

- 

the COSME WP2014: € 46.492.984 
the COSME WP2015: € 53.682.625 
the budget includes the grants for the COSME 6 participating countries13; Serbia 
and Armenia joined in 2016, their budget comes from the COSME WP2016  
In total 90 consortia and 527 partner organisations are financed  

In addition, a budget of € 2.937 mio was committed for the annual conference and Network 
animation activities. 

6. INDICATORS 
The  reporting  of  the  Network  partners  on  their  delivery  refers  to  the  intermediate  reporting 
data received for the first year of the operational period 2015-2016.  The below indicators are 
based on data collected from these  reports.  It gives an impression on the number  of SMEs 
and the variety of services delivered by the about 3.000 staff in the Network.  Services range 
from  information  on  EU  matters,  company  visits  and  awareness  raising  campaigns  to 
specialised advisory services, company missions and brokerage events. 

 Actual number of: 

- Achievements on:  

1.303 
            2.566 

-> advisory services outcomes: 
-> business/techn./research partnerships: 
- SME reached via (digital) information services: 
- SME participating in brokerage events and company missions: 
- Advisory services provided to SME: 
- SME receiving support services (Information, advice, events, IPR business & 
technology reviews, financing etc.):   will be known after final report 2015-2016 
-  Impact  on  clients  businesses  (turnover,  jobs  created/maintained,  new  products  or 
services developed, new markets accessed): the survey on EEN client SMEs showed 
that 54 % of them had an increased market share, 64 reported an increased turn-over 
and 31 reported that additional jobs were created. 

10.5 million 
21.676 
56.244 

13 Turkey, Moldova, Albania, FYROM, Montenegro, Iceland, Serbia, Armenia (others expected to join soon) 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
- client satisfaction on the services received: survey launched in June 2017. 

For Network Animation activities: 

-  Number of Network staff trained: 700 from 40+ countries 
-  Number of  staff that  participated  in staff exchange  and  mentoring:  27 exchanges 

involving 70 members 

-  Social media impact continued to grow, with the main Network account's Twitter 
followers  up  80  percent  to  13,864  and  just  under  95,000  impressions,  while 
Facebook 'likes' more than doubled to 5,668. 

New Network launch conference in Brussels: 
-  Number of participants: 800 
-  Satisfaction of participants: +85% satisfaction rate 

Other Network qualitative indicators: 

-  13 'Thematic Contact Points' were created leading to a better structured overview 

of expertise and more efficient collaboration and synergies  

-  2 working  groups were started on Access to  Finance and Scaling  up services  for 

young innovative companies      

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 
Typical participating organisations are chambers of commerce, innovation agencies, regional 
development  agencies,  SME  organisations,  technology  centres  and  universities.  Most 
represented are chambers of commerce and chambers of craft (170), followed by national and 
regional development agencies (166). About 20% of the organisations are new to the Network 
bringing a wealth of new expertise as well as challenges for integration and creating impact. 

GRO/SME/15/B/N02 - YOUR EUROPE BUSINESS PORTAL 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  Your  Europe  Business  Portal  aims  at  being  the  reference  public  information  portal  for 
enterprises  interested  in  cross-border  activities  within  the  European  Union.  Your  Europe 
Business  provides  a  multilingual  practical  guide  that  facilitates  cross-border  transactions.  It 
supports  businesses  expanding  in  other  EU  countries,  thus  contributing  to  exploit  the  full 
potential of the EU’s single market.  
Your Europe Business Portal is part of the Your Europe Portal that includes a business and a 
Citizens  section  (financed  outside  the  COSME  programme).  The  portal  offers  all  the 
information citizens and businesses need to exercise their single market rights in Europe.  
Its unique selling point is that it informs not only about the EU rules, but also how these apply 
in practice in each Member State. In addition, the information is multilingual (in 23 official 
languages  of  the  EU  (all  except  Gaelic)  and  in  Norwegian  for  EU-level  pages  and  in  the 
national language(s) and English for the country pages). Thus Your Europe offers businesses, 
public administrations and stakeholders a centralised and easy access to practical information 
on doing business in Europe, and signposts to more specialised information and help services 
(such  as  the  Enterprise  Europe  Network  and  SOLVIT),  when  relevant.  After  a  complete 
revamping of the EU content, work in 2015 was focused on ensuring sustainability of national 
content.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This measure is the continuation of the 2014 action and was previously financed in EIP under 
the objective of creation of  an environment  favourable to  SME co-operation, particularly in 
the field of cross-border co-operation in 2011-2013. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The Your Europe Business Portal attracted 1.6 million unique visitors in 2015 which 
corresponds to an increase of 21% compared to 2014.  
Due  to  the  suppression  of  a  number  of  national  pages  and  their  replacement  by  links  to 
national resources, there is a slight decrease in the number of visits (2.45 million compared to 
2.49 million) and the number of page views (4.84 million compared to 5.54 millions).  
The  most  visited  sections  are  VAT  and  customs  (44%),  funding  (24%),  and  start  &  grow 
(11%). 
16% of the users come to the portal through mobile devices (mobile phone, tablet). 
A new functionality allowed users who need more expert advice to send enquiries directly to a 
member  of  the  Enterprise  Europe  Network  (EEN).  From  January  to  December  2015  EEN 
partners received a total of 2.884 requests for information via the form hosted on the portal. 
Finance was the top subject followed by Expanding abroad and EU law and research. 
According to a survey with portal visitors in the beginning of 2016, over 83% of users rate the 
portal excellent, good or satisfactory. 
Your  Europe  Business  offers  information  that  helps  entrepreneurs  to  comply  with 
environment-related  requirements  (EMAS  certification,  energy  labels,  eco-design,  EU  eco 
label, attracting 2% of visits to the portal).  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

In  line  with  the  2016  work  programme,  efforts  will  focus  on  further  improving  EU 
information,  better  linking  with  national  business  portals  and  enhancing  synergies  with 
relevant  assistance  services.  Furthermore,  awareness-raising  activities  are  planned  to  ensure 
that  entrepreneurs  find  Your  Europe  Business  when  needed.  This  includes  search  engine 
optimisation and online campaigns. 
Your Europe  Business is expected to contribute to the creation of a  Single Digital Gateway 
(SDG), as announced in the Single Market and Digital Single Market strategies. Its exact role 
will be further defined as the SDG project evolves. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR & FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

€ 400,000 to be implemented through specific contracts under a framework contract. 

6. INDICATORS 

- number of unique visitors: 1.6 million 
- number of page views: 4.84 million 
- feedback on user satisfaction: 83% user satisfaction 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

SMEs and entrepreneurs who want to operate cross-border within the EU’s single market 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GRO/SME/15/B/N03 - SME Internationalisation 

  European Action for Global Trade", acronym EAGLE 1&2 project 
  Filling the gap on SME Internationalisation (renamed "Increasing SME readiness to 

internationalise – Ready2Go") 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

This  measure  will  support  further  the  internationalization  of  European  SMEs,  as  originally 
proposed in the Commission Communication ‘Small Business, Big World - a new partnership 
to  help  SMEs  seize  global  opportunities'.  Cooperation  with  the  European  Trade  Promotion 
Organisations  active 
internationalisation  and  business  missions  abroad.  
Ready2Go will focus on tailored training and coaching and kick-start international activities, 
via matchmaking and networking events. 

in  business 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Exchange of expertise and good practice between the project partners 
Organisation of a joint trade promotion mission to a third market  
Providing training to the companies in order to prepare them to develop their business in third 
country markets 
Following  up  of  the  mission  in  order  to  evaluate  the  mission  results  and  capture  any 
partnership agreements (business or technology) resulting from the mission. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

ACTION ENDS IN JULY 2017 FOR EAGLE 1&2 projects;  
Ready2Go started in September 2016 for a period of 28 months with the main coaching and 
training  taking  place  in  Q3/2017  and  the  matchmaking  events  scheduled  for  Q4/2017  – 
Q2/2018. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

2015-2018 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

EAGLE 1&2 projects: CALL FOR PROPOSALS GRANT EUR 265 000 
READY2GO – CALL FOR TENDER EUR 883 000 

6. INDICATORS 

-The following indicators are not yet available at the date of drafting the report: 

- Number of participating SMEs in the trainings and events 
- Staff exchanges between partners 
- Delivering country focused events 
- Joint trade promotion mission to a third market 
- Preparing a guide / toolkit on organising joint trade missions and B2B events 
- Exchange of best practices between the TPOs in organising the missions 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Number of meetings between EU companies and strategic partners in third countries 

7. BENEFICIARIES

i 

EAGLE 1&2 projects: LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE in consortium with: 
- SYNDESMOS VIOMICHANION VOREIOU ELLADOS (GR), 
- VIESOJI ISTAIGA LIETUVOS INOVACIJU CENTRAS (LI),  
- HAJDU-BIHAR MEGYEI KERESKEDELMI ES IPARKAMARA (H) 
- CONFINDUSTRIA SICILIA ASSOCIAZIONE (IT) 
- CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE BRUXELLES (BE) 

READY2GO CONTRACTORS ARE  
Promos; Eurochambres, Formaper, Innovhub, Birmingham/Croatian/Spanish CCI; 
Dublin/Estonian/Serbian CCI; Polish/Rhone-Alps CCI. 

GRO/SME/15/B/N04 - EU-JAPAN CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL 
COOPERATION 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

To promote the development of EU-Japan cooperation with a view to improving the access of 
European  businesses  into  the  Japanese  market,  by  providing  them  with  the  needed  data  on 
local conditions and by acquainting them with commercial and industrial practises which EU 
businesses  are  facing  in  Japan.  Also  to  promote  the  training  on  production  technologies, 
quality  management  and  innovation,  aiming  at  improving  the  competitiveness  of  EU 
businesses. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

On the Policy Analysis and Advise, 12 Policy Seminars were organized with a total of 1300 
participants,  5  Minerva  Policy  Reports  were  delivered,  while  under  the  “EU  Business  in 
Japan”  info  web-portal  12  expert  reports,  9  case  studies,  1  video  and  25  webinars  were 
delivered.  
Also on Policy advise, the Centre organized the 17th EU-Japan Business Round table Annual 
Meeting and delivered 70 specific recommendations.  
On  business  training,  the  52  Human  Resources  Training  Program  was  held  with  15 
participants from 11 Member States and 2 World Class Manufacturing topical missions were 
organized with a total of 48 participants from 16 different Member States. The Centre has also 
organized  3  “LEAN  in  Europe”  training  sessions  and  13  business  training  webinars  that 
gathered 1077 participants.  
On Vulcanus training programme, 45 European (from 20 Member States) and 17 Japanese 
students participated.  
On Business Support, the “Enterprise Europe Network Contact Point in Japan” has continued 
to expand with 422 inquiries being handled, 110 new expressions of interests being received, 
461  B2B  meetings  being  arranged  in  the  context  of  18  brokerage  events  and  7  Partnership 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agreements being signed . On SMEs Cluster Support 2 missions were organized on Biotech 
and  ICT  with  a  total  of  30  SMEs  and  cluster  organizations.    The  “Step  in  Japan”  on  site 
logistic  support  services  had  17  European  users  and  the  “Tax  and  Public  Procurement 
Helpdesk  for  SMEs”  has  continued  to  evolve  answering  to  45  specific  inquiries  and 
performing quick PP market scan services for a total of 42 European SMEs.  
Furthermore, the Centre continued to expand its Space and GNSS industries activities. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The services and work provided are foreseen to continue under forthcoming COSME work 
programmes. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
1ST APRIL 2015 – 31 MARCH 2016 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Ad hoc grant without call for proposals, according to legal basis which established the Centre 
and its role: Council Decision 92/278/EEC of 18 May 1992 – 2.800.000€ 

6. INDICATORS 

1.  Number of seminars organised and attendance 
2.  Number of enquiries addressed to the Centre and satisfactory replies provided 
3.  Number of students participating in Vulcanus and their level of competence 
See results and impacts section. 

7. BENEFICIARIES

ii 

Institute for International Studies and Training, Japan 

GRO/SME/15/B/N05 - INDUSTRIAL POLICY COOPERATION 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Bilateral  regulatory  and  industrial  policy  dialogues  with  key  partners  with  relevant  markets 
for  trade  and  investment  is  the  object  of  this  action.  The  main  objective  of  the  Industrial 
Policy  Cooperation  is  to  reduce  barriers  to  trade  and  investment.  Industrial  policy  and 
regulatory dialogues have a clear mutual interest to reduce regulatory disparities and obstacles 
to investment. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The scoping exercise has been cancelled because of a change in political priorities. 
On the Eastern partnership, the Small Business Act Assessment was presented and discussed 
in  all  6  Eastern  partner  countries  in  regional  workshops.  These  regional  events  stressed  the 
peer  review  component  of  the  project  and  'stimulate'  the  reform  willingness  of  partner 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
countries  as  well  as  the  exchange  of  experience  among  them.  In  addition  an  analysis  was 
conducted using econometric techniques on the relationship between policy settings and SME 
performance in the areas of access to finance, innovation and internationalisation. The project 
has helped increasing awareness on the results of the SBA assessment and foster exchanges 
between partners. The report provides further guidance to policy makers when designing their 
SMEs strategies and action plans. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The Scoping exercise was to be launched in 2016 and was cancelled. 
The Eastern partnership grant to the OECD terminated in May 2017 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

2016-2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Scoping exercise: Specific contract 250.000 through framework contract 
Eastern dialogue: grant to the OECD 150.000 

6. INDICATORS 

Number of seminars organized and attendance 
Feasibility study on technical and policy areas with certain countries 
Number of regional dialogues 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

SCOPING EXERCISE: ACTION CANCELLED  
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP : OECD 

GRO-SME-15-B-N07 - Information Platform on Parcel Delivery Services 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
The information platform on parcel Delivery Services aims at improving the transparency of 
information  on existing delivery solutions, particularly for cross-border parcel delivery, and 
thus  at  facilitating  cross-border  development  of  e-retailers  through  the  creation  of  a  web 
information  platform  presenting  and  comparing  existing  service  offer.  The  platform  would 
hence  act  as  an  information  hub  and  powerful  toolbox  for  e-retailers  wishing  to  fulfil 
shipments  across  Europe  and  is  committed  to  be  a  game  changer  giving  SME  e-retailers  a 
level-playing field to compete more effectively in the market. The project will be conducted 
over 23 months. 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The platform was originally planned to be operational in January 2017. However in March of 
2017 EASME signed a new grant agreement with the consortium, in which remedial actions 
necessary  for  further  project  continuation  were  agreed,  notably  hiring  of  an  experienced 
independent project manager, replacement of two IT partners which had withdrawn from the 
consortium and extension of the project duration from 12 to 23 months. 

In the second trimester of 2017 two versions of the platform have been/will be released:  

The first version (v0.1) has been released at the beginning of June 2017. As from mid-June 
delivery  operators  are  able  to  register  and  upload  general  data  and  data  on  their  services 
(including prices) on the platform.  

The second version (v0.2) will be launched at the Deliver 2 event on 27/28 of June 2017 in 
Berlin  with  the  listing  of  identified  suppliers  and  the  publishing  of  service  details  made 
available via a search engine, to gain market awareness and traction.   

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

In the coming months it is crucial that many suppliers upload information to make the 
platform fully operational. 
Version (v0.3) of the platform with additional functionalities (supplier rating, supplier 
certification) will be released in September 2017. 
The platform should be fully operational end 2017  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Publication of the Call: Tuesday, 7 July 2015 
Starting date of the grant agreement: 11 January 2016  
In  September  2016  EASME  initiated  a  review  procedure  due  to  the  cumulated  delays  and 
unsatisfactory  performance.  The  procedure  was  concluded  in  March  2017  with  the 
implementation of the remedial actions identified by EASME as necessary for further project 
continuation (notably hiring of an experienced independent project manager, replacement of 
two  IT  partners  which  had  withdrawn  from  the  consortium  and  extension  of  the  project 
duration from 12 to 23 months).  
The amended grant agreement is in force since 3 March 2017.  
End of the project: December 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

360.000 E available budget (300.000 in the Work Programme and increased by 60.000 in the 
framework of the 20% flexibility rule)  
5 proposals were received in total 
3 proposals were ineligible 
2 proposals were further considered and evaluated 
1 proposal was awarded the grant equal to 360.000 

28 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

The necessary data to complete the indicators as provided by the WP will be acquired after 
the implementation of the action. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The beneficiary of the action is a consortium formed by  
1.  Deliver – France - (coordinator) 
 2. European Association of Craft Small and Medium Sized Enterprises UEAPME - Belgium - 
(participant) 
3.  Webnet  (participant-  IT  development,  functional  and  technical  specifications)  replacing 
former IT partners Converteo and Adveris 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C.  FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS FOR ENTERPRISES 

The  third  specific  objective  of  COSME  is  “to  improve  framework  conditions  for  the 
competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises, particularly SMEs, including in the 
tourism sector” described in Article 11 of the COSME Regulation. 

In 2015, there were up to 14 actions to be financed under this specific objective with a budget 
of more than EUR34 million. 

GRO/SME/15/C/N011 - SME POLICY (SPR, SBA, outreach)  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective is to provide communication and information tools to promote the SME policy 
i.e.  Small  business  act,  its  implementation  in  the  Member  States  and  inform  SMEs,  SME 
stakeholders and  relevant  public authorities  about  SME policy, economic developments and 
available  support  at  EU  and  Member  States  level  including  the  quantitative  the  SME 
performance review. 
The measure includes: 
• 

Monitoring implementation of SBA and SBA review & promotion (i.e. Business 
Planet TV magazine 4th season) 
Small Business portal  
Outreach activities SME policy and SBA implementation - brochures, campaigns  

• 
• 

3. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

- Business Planet (Euronews TV magazine), the 4th season was produced from June 2015 to 
June  2016  with  24  episodes  showcasing  the  best  SBA  practice  (at  European  and  national 
level) broadcast. The 5th season started in October 2016 and 16 episodes were broadcast so far 
(the 5th season will continue until October 2017 when the last 24th episode will be broadcast). 
-  Small  Business  portal:  update  of  the  content;  publication  of  12  success  stories  in  21 
languages (as per the specific contract in place); 
- Organisation of the SME Assembly 2015 (18-20 Nov, Luxembourg) as the central event of 
the European SME Week 2015 (with the European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony 
included in the programme)  

4. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015-2016? 

Business Planet:   
- The continuation of the 4th season in 2016 (5 more episodes to be produced and broadcast 
until  June  2016);  continuation  with  the  5th  season  (under  the  new  Framework  Partnership 
Agreement) 
 Small Business portal: 
-.Contract for editorial maintenance implemented in 2016 with the view of the integration of 
the portal content on the Europa pages  

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT:  
END OF THE PROJECT:  
Business Planet (4th season): 12 June 2015 – 12 June 2016 
Business Planet (5th season): 10.October 2016 – 10 October 2017 
Small Business portal (contract for editorial maintenance): December 2015 - November 2016 

6. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Specific grant agreement with Euronews signed in May 2015 (EUR 628,729) and in October 
2016 (712.191 EUR) 
Small Business portal: a new contract for EUR 60,000 signed in December 2015   

7. INDICATORS 

1.    Business  Planet:  the  estimated  audience    for  the  whole  4th  season  (13.06.  2015  to 
11.06.2016  )  23.7  million;    all  the Business  Planet  magazines  were  produced  and broadcast 
according to schedule by Euronews as well as disseminated via the Small Business portal and 
EC social media;  
2.  SME  Assembly  2015  (Luxembourg,  18-20  Nov  2015):  673  delegates  attended  the  event; 
overall satisfaction rate: 95% believed it was definitely/worth attending; 
3)- European SME Week:  511 local events associated with the European SME Week brand 
organised  in  2015;  52  projects  were  participating  at  the  European  level  of  the  European 
Enterprise  Promotion  Awards  competition  (with  over  300  project  competing  at  national 
level), 7 winners (6 category winners and 1 Grand Jury Prize winner were selected). 
-  Social  media  campaign  around  the  key  central  events  of  the  European  SME  Week  (SME 
Assembly and European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) ceremony): the audience for 
all social media channels reached over 25,000 people; 
- SME Assembly and EEPA ceremony: 235 mentions by traditional media outlets. 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

SME Policy-makers on the EU as well as national level, press and general public as well as 
SME stakeholders and researchers. 

GRO/SME/15/C/N012 - SME POLICY (SPR, SBA, outreach)  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The SME performance review focuses on the implementation of the Small Business Act for 
Europe and consists of annual reports, the SBA country fact sheets and studies.  

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  2016  annual  report  includes  an  overview  of  the  size,  structure  and  importance  of 
European  SMEs,  outlines  the  major  trends  and  provides  a  summary  of  recent  policy 
developments.  It also includes a specific chapter dedicated to the issue of 'second chance'.  
The SBA fact sheets (35) provide more in-depth information on the country level. They are 
structured according to the 10 principles of the SBA and are based on core indicators which 
relate the individual Member States to the Union average.  
The  production  of  the  fact  sheets  also  involves  cooperation  with  the  Joint  Research  Centre 
(JRC) in Ispra on a basis of a dedicated inter-institutional agreement running for 2 years to the 
tune of €150000. JRC provides crucial input into the calculation of the SPR database. 
A tender was launched in August 2015 for the next cycle of the SBA country fact sheets and 
the  annual  EU-SME  report  2015/2016.  Three  tenderers  submitted  offers  which  had  been 
evaluated  in  the  meantime.  The  contract  was  signed  with  the  Consortium  CARSA  in 
November  2015.  Works  started  immediately  thereafter  with  the  final  delivery  date  of  the 
outputs being the SME assembly in Bratislava on 25 November 2016.  

3. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The final results of the SME Performance Review 2015/2016 were published during the 2016 
SME  assembly  on  25  November  in  Bratislava.  They  comprise  of  the  final  versions  of  the 
Annual report and 35 SBA country fact sheets. 
Intended impact: 
Influencing  SME  policy  makers:  The  report  and  the  fact  sheets  are  directly  presented  and 
discussed with the MS delegates in a dedicated working group on "policy-relevant research on 
entrepreneurship and SMEs"; the nature of the discussion with delegates during the working 
group  as  well  as  during  the  SPR  production  process  and  post-release  would  establish  the 
impact on policy-making (complemented by additional issues such as the referencing of the 
SPR  in  national  policy  documents,  etc.);  The  fact  sheets  have  become  a  key  source  of 
information  and  policy  analysis  for  the  European  Semester  (i.e.  the  country  reports  and  the 
country specific recommendations) 
Outreach to the wider public: the SPR 2014/2015 was, as in the years, before launched with a 
high-profile press conference during the SME assembly; a maximal media coverage reflected 
in a high number of press articles, social media references as well as his and downloads from 
the SPR website would be a potential indicator of the outreach impact; 
Influencing  secondary  policy  research  and  informing  stakeholders  by  making  the  complete 
data set and policy database publicly available to researchers; subsequent third-party articles 
citing the results of the SPR would be an expected impact in this domain. 

4. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The SME Performance Review is repeated every year, so the next cycle for the SPR 
/2017/2018 has already started. 

5. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

This annual exercise has a duration of 12 months.  
The release of the Annual report and fact sheets coincided with the SME assembly in Estonia 
22nd/-24th November 2017.   
The  2016/2017  Annual  Report  on  European  SMEs  and  the  SBA  fact-sheets  (start  date: 
November 2016; end date: October 2017);  

32 

 
 
 
 
 
Meeting of the expert group on SME policy research discussing the SME annual report and 
the SBA country fact sheets: January and September 2017 in Brussels. 

6. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

SME Performance Review 
Commitment in 2016: EUR 806.090,00 

7. INDICATORS 

1. The annual report on European SMEs; 
2. A complete set of SBA fact sheets (35 fact sheets for the individual countries of an average 
length of some 15 pages each); 
3. Publication of the fact-sheets is e accompanied by "satellite" documentation (press releases, 
technical  notes,  databases,  website,  etc.);  there  will  also  be  a  separate  summary  report 
summing up the main trends of the data compiled for the 35 individual fact sheets.  
4. Qualitative feedback from MS delegates and other SME policy-makers on the annual report 
and fact sheets (as reflected in the feedback analysis of the COSME programme) 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

SME Policy-makers on the EU as well as national level, press and general public as well as 
SME stakeholders and researchers (see also 3). This measure contributes to the production of 
valuable, up-to-date data and analysis on EU-wide- as well as MS-level on latest SME trends 
and SME policy developments as a basis for evidence-based decision-making in this area, in 
particular with a view to the SBA implementation. 

GRO/SME/15/C/N019 – Statistics for Family Businesses 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  aim  of  this  action  is  to  provide  policy-makers  and  relevant  stakeholders  for  credible, 
comparable and systematic information and indicators on the role of the family businesses in 
national  economies  and  to  offer  usable  and  practical  information  to  stakeholders  for  their 
decision making.   

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The  call  for  proposals  on  "Statistics  for  Family  Businesses"  was  launched  in  April  2015  to 
encourage national statistical offices and other organisations that operate in collaboration with 
the national statistical offices in the EU Member States and in other eligible countries under 
the  COSME  Programme,  to  collect  information  on  the  role of  family  businesses.  A  priority 
was given to projects aimed to  develop for the  first time  statistics in those  countries, which 
had not yet statistics on family business.  
The  countries  covered  by  the  call  are  the  Netherlands,  Denmark,  Poland,  Italy,  Finland, 
Bulgaria  and  Malta.  The  seven  projects  which  all  started  on  1  February  2016  had  different 
durations (between 12 and 14 months). Three of them (FI, IT, NL) have finished in January 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017, one (PL) has finished in February 2017 and the last three (BG, DK, MT) have finished 
in March 2017.  
Statistics Denmark have organized a workshop in Copenhagen on 29 March 2017 as part of 
their  grant  deliverables  and  invited  the  other  6  participating  countries,  the  Commission  and 
academia to discuss definitions, methods, results and the way forward. 
NSI’s  from  Bulgaria,  Denmark,  Finland,  Netherlands  and  Sweden  participated.  The  agenda 
was: 
1. Key Note Speak, Professor Morten Bennedsen 
2. National experiences and results – presentations by each of the NSI’s 
3. Wrap-up and the possible road ahead  
The presentations by the NSI’s made it clear that different methods had been applied by the 
NSI’s in order to define family businesses. Secondly, the type of data used for the delineation 
of a population of family businesses varied among the countries. Regarding the definition of a 
family business, most countries used the definition adopted by the European Commission. 
Several  participants  expressed  an  interest  in  continued  dialogue  as  regards  exchange  of 
methodological issues, ideas and results etc. and indicated interest in participating in possible 
follow-up projects by the European Commission." 
The  final  results  of  this  action  (incl.  the  approved  reports)  should  be  available  in  Q3  2017. 
The  information  about  family  businesses  should  be  used  as  a  basis  for  further  European, 
national  and  regional  policy  development.  In  the  longer  term  this  should  lead  to  improved 
evidence bases in the area of family businesses and to an increased number of countries where 
such data is collected. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The Commission has to finalise the assessment of the final reports and disseminate the results 
(Q3 2017). 
There  are  7  reports  in  total  (1  per  project)  and  4  have  been  accepted.  The  rest  should  be 
available by the end of Q3 2017.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL: APRIL 2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT:  1 FEBRUARY 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT: MARCH 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget in work programme 2015: 300.000 
Budget finally committed: 390.817 
12 proposals were received and 7 were awarded 

6. INDICATORS 

1) 
2) 

Completion on time – all projects completed on time  
Number of MS statistical offices that will make proposals for the collection of data: 11 
proposals made, 7 were awarded 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Regarding  the  7  granted  projects,  the  Statistical  Offices  were  the  project  leaders 
(coordinators) in the following: NL, DK, IT, BG while in the rest of the projects (MT, PL and 
FI) they were the sole partner. 

GRO/SME/15/C/N02 - EU Stakeholder Platform for Better Regulation 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  EU  Stakeholder  Platform  on  Better  Regulation  (REFIT  Platform)  bring  together  Better 
Regulation experts, Member States experts, stakeholders and support the EU2020 objective to 
foster smart growth by aiming to improve the regulatory environment.  
This involve contracting studies on issues of regulatory fitness, for example, on best methods 
to measure the impacts, costs and benefits of EU regulation; on testing these methods and on 
evaluation etc.   
IT tools are needed to support these actions and stakeholder consultations in particular. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The REFIT  Platform has been  settled by Commission decision C(2015)3261  on 19/05/2016 
and the members appointed in the Commission decision C(2015)9063 on 16/12/2015. 
Due to  the late nomination  of the  members of the  Platform, the  meetings began  on January 
2016.  The  implementation  of  IT  tools  like  the  Better  Regulation  Portal  already  started  in 
2015.    

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  REFIT  Platform  members  will  start  to  meet  from  January  2016  till  the  end  of  their 
mandate. 
IT tools like the Better Regulation Portal and REFIT Scoreboard will be developed. 
Support studies on regulatory issues will be planned using existing framework contracts and 
according to the REFIT Platform needs.     

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC CONTRACTS TO COVER THE IT DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC TOOLS 
BY THE USE OF DIGIT FRAMEWORK CONTRACTS. 
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): N/A 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 11/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: ONGOING, FIRST SPECIFIC CONTRACTS ENDED ON 03/2016. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget available from the programme:  600.000 € 
Amount committed: 570.000 € 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

Due  to  late  implementation  of  the  REFIT  platform  in  2015,  meetings  of  the  members  only 
started in 2016. 
The Better Regulation Portal has been set up but its development will continue in the coming 
years. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

N/A 

GRO/SME/15/C/N03 - EUROPEAN COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Five studies were launched in November-December 2015 to feed into the 2016 report and 
European Semester: 
= The European construction value chain: performance, challenges and role in the GVC 
= The evolving composition of intra-EU trade over time 
= Single Market transmission mechanisms before, during and after the 2008/2009 crisis 
= EU wholesale trade: analysis of the sector and value chains 
= Total factor productivity growth: drivers, components and frontier firms 
All five studies are in addition intended to inform policymakers when designing and 
implementing policies in these areas. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

In  2016,  all  five  studies  were  completed  and  subsequently  approved.  The  quality  of  the 
studies  was  high.  Results  of  the  studies  were  used  in  the  Single  Market  Integration  and 
Competitiveness  Report  2016  (ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/competitiveness/reports/single-
market-integration-competitiveness_en) as well as in the context of the European Semester. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Contracts for a new round of studies have been signed with a view to the 2017 Report. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

FULLY IMPLEMENTED 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

700.000 available; 610.350 committed 

6. INDICATORS 

The reports were delivered on time and of a high quality.  

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. CONTRACTORS 

WIFO - Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung 

GRO/SME/15/C/N06 - Fourth European Forum on Social 
Entrepreneurship in Plovdiv (Bulgaria) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  European  Fair  for  Social  Enterprises  is  a  key  event  in  Bulgaria  that  provides  a  large 
visibility of the sector. The Fair is a yearly event organised by the Bulgarian Government and 
usually takes place in Plovdiv since 2012. 
In 2015, it took place from 26-29/03/2015. The event was composed of:  
-  An  exhibition  with  stands  of  social  enterprises  (from  Austria,  Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Italy, 
Romania, Serbia, Norway, Greece and Malta) that presented their products and services. 
-  an  international  conference  organised  with  speakers  from  various  national  services  and 
organisations  as  well  as a round table with academics and directors from various  non-profit 
social  enterprises.  The conference  is  attended  by  around  200  participants  from  EU  Member 
States and non EU countries. 
The Commission co-financed the event via an adhoc grant. 
http://tpkunion.com/efse/ 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

- Awareness raising about the role of social enterprises in the EU economy 
- Exchange of good practices in the area of social enterprises 
In  2015,  the  European  Fair  gathered  about  100  social  enterprises  and  cooperatives  from 
Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Spain and Turkey, and the number of visitors amounted to 
30, 000. 
High  level  speakers  participated  in  the  international  conference  including  Commission's 
responsible to discuss policy issues and best practices in the field of social economy. 
The exhibitors showed products, household articles and services within the scope of business 
activities of social enterprises (especially WISE). 
Considerable exhibition space was also devoted to the enterprises services intended for people 
with disabilities. 
In 2016, a new fair took place but without the financial involvement of the Commission. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

N/A 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 23.03.2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 29.03.2015 ( END OF THE CONFERENCE) 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitment: € 30 000 
Project closed and final report received. 

6. INDICATORS 

NUMBER OF VISITORS: 30 000 
NUMBER OF ENTERPRISES PRESENTED: 100  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

 BULGARIAN AUTHORITIES 

GRO/SME/15/C/N07  – Cluster Excellence Programme 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The overall objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen cluster management excellence 
in the EU in order to provide more professional business services to European SMEs through 
clusters, and therefore contribute to the development of more world-class clusters in the EU. 
In  order  to  pursue  cluster  management  excellence,  cluster  organisations  would  provide 
support services to their members and develop strategic approaches to address the innovation, 
growth  and  globalization  challenges  that  SMEs  face.  This  requires  to  strengthen  the  value-
added encapsulated in the support services provided to cluster firms, to gain further insights 
into cluster members’ positioning in value-chains (e.g. through value-chain analyses), to take 
stock of emerging industrial trends and dynamics (e.g. cross-sectoral dynamics and emerging 
industries)7,  to  develop  a  shared  vision  of  their  members  with  regard  to  collaboration  with 
other  clusters  in  Europe  and  in  global  markets,  to  consistently  liaise  with  public  authorities 
regarding the business support environment and coherence with regional policy, including in 
the  framework  of  smart  specialisation  strategies8,  and  to  shape-up  strategic  plans  and 
roadmaps for sustained cluster development.  

The  action  will  help  cluster  organisations  deliver  innovation  and  business  support  services 
more  efficiently  and  develop  strategic  plans  to  generate  greater  added  value  for  their 
members, including through cluster collaboration across Europe. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Undertaking  a  Cluster  Excellence  benchmarking  assessment  (bronze  label);  Mentoring, 
coaching  and/or  training  towards  following-up  and  upgrading  existing  Cluster  Excellence 
assessments; Organisation and delivery of targeted training courses;    Bi-lateral/team/group 
coaching schemes and related reports; Definition, launch and analysis of SME surveys;   
The  kick-off  meeting  took  place  in  November  2016.  The  first  6  monthly  reports  were 
submitted in June 2017.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The 5 selected projects will complete the activities to be carried out under the grant agreement 
by November 2018.  

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  expected  results  concern  enhanced  insights  at  cluster  management  level,  translated into 
concrete recommendations for uptake by cluster managers. This could materialise on  
(a)  learning  that  should  be  converted  in  guidelines  for  strengthening  support  services  to 
cluster  SMEs  to  generate  additional  added-value  and  facilitate  transformative  developments 
for the cluster companies’ growth, innovation and competitiveness.  
(b)  Learning  that  should  be  converted  in  guidelines  to  develop  cluster  strategic  plans  and 
implementation roadmaps for cluster development.  
(c)  With  regard  to  sharing  knowledge  on  strategic  approaches  for  the  clusters,  guidelines 
should  likewise  be  produced  with  a  special  emphasis  on  better  positioning  SMEs  in  value-
chains and in seeking synergies across the entire consortium.  
Minimum  two  joint  events  at  the  level  of  each  consortium  and  one  inter-consortia  meeting 
should be organised. Preferably one cluster organisation partner in the consortium should host 
them.  
Mutual cluster study visits should be carried out.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Publication of the call for proposals: 08.02.2016 
Signature of grant agreements: October 2016 
Start of the action: 16 November 2016 
Duration of the projects: 24 months 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

PLANNED BUDGET: 1.500.000 € 
COMMITTED BUDGET: 999.565 € 

6. INDICATORS 

To facilitate the monitoring, evaluation and assessment undertaken by EASME, and in order 
to get an overview of the progress made, successful applicants will be asked to put in place, 
from  the  outset,  performance  indicators  for  the  on-going  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the 
project. The action will be assessed, against the following performance indicators:  
Number  of  new  or  improved  support  services  to  cluster  SMEs;    Number  of  first  bronze 
Cluster Excellence benchmarking labels obtained; Number of study visits performed; Number 
of  training  actions  and  trained  cluster  managers;  Number  of  project-related  surveys  into 
cluster members;  Number of coaching or mentoring actions; Number and type of added-value 
tools related to cluster management and skills enhancement; Number of bilateral/multilateral 
partnership agreements signed (e.g. Memoranda of Understanding); Number of cluster, value-
chains  and  market  analyses;  Number  of  SME  member's  need  analyses,  surveys  and/or 
alternative  feedback  from  cluster  SMEs  and  other  cluster  members;  Number  of  cluster 
organisations  and  business  networks  from  different  EU  Member  States  or  COSME 
participating countries having been involved in the activities of the project; Number of SMEs 
having  benefited  from  the  supported  actions,  through  the  provision  of  more  professional 
services;  Number of events (workshops/seminars, trainings, coaching, conferences, working 
the  events 
group  meetings,  etc.)  organised;  Number  and 
(workshops/seminars, conferences, working group meetings) organised. Projects must foresee 
to  collect relevant data and reporting on the above-mentioned performance  indicators  in  the 

type  of  participants 

in 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
reports to be submitted on the implementation of the action. Applicants may also propose and 
report upon further performance indicators. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

5  projects  have  been  selected  out  of  13  proposals.  26  cluster  organisations  and  business 
networks, as well as 44 lead managers are involved in the action from 12 countries. 
INNO-DROP  (Germany,  Czeck  Republic,  Spain,  France)  –  Nano-,  plasma-  and  water 
technology 
TRACE-KEI  (Italy,  Portugal,  Serbia,  Germany,  Hungary,  Romania,  Bulgaria)-  Agro-Food, 
ICT, Renewable Energy 
ECRI (Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland) Life science 
CLUSGRID  (Poland,  France,  Spain,  Bulgaria)  Smart  grids,  Energy  efficiency,  renewable 
energy ICT 
COSMENERG  (Hungary,  Romania,  Germany,  Poland  and  Serbia)  Bio-energy,  energy 
efficiency, renewable energy, environment technologies                   

GRO/SME/15/C/N09 - The European Resource Efficiency Excellence 
Centre 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The Centre provides information services by integrating, maintaining and developing the self-
assessment tool for SMEs (from the previous COSME action in 2014), by developing user-
friendly technological fiches, by liaising with national and regional resource efficiency 
services providers and EEN partners, and by providing training through capacity building 
workshops. The Centre integrates data and encourages data provision from relevant EU 
initiatives. The Centre also provides data on Return on Investment (RoI) of specific resource 
efficiency investments to facilitate access to finance in that domain.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

N/A (project start 09/2016) 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 

Project start September 2016, implementation phase is 36 months. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 13/12/2015  
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: SEPTEMBER 2016   
END OF THE PROJECT: SEPTEMBER 2019  

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget available as per the work programme: EUR 2 000 000 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Budget committed: 1 785 000 
Indicate how many proposals/offers were received: 4 
How many were awarded: 1   

6. INDICATORS 

Data on indicators of the WP will be available later. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Technopolis (BE); VDI Zentrum Ressourceneffizienz GmbH (DE); The Waste and Resources 
Action Programme — WRAP (UK); Enviros s.r.o. (CZ) 

GRO/SME/15/C/N10 - Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The COSME 2014 and 2015 measures include several actions to support the implementation 
of  the  European  Strategy  for  Key  Enabling  Technologies  (KETs)  as  outlined  in  the 
Commission  Communication14  of  26 June 2012.  The  actions  help  reversing  the  trend  of  de-
manufacturing  and  accelerating  the  rate  of  transfer,  use  and  exploitation  of  KETs  by 
businesses in the EU, in order to stimulate growth and jobs. 

In 2014, it was planned to sign two specific contracts covering the following domains of 
activity:  
1.  Analysis  of  industrial  value  chains  in  strategic  areas:  Identifying  current  and  future 
application areas, existing industrial value chains and missing competences in the EU, in 
the area of additive manufacturing (3D Printing):   
The aim is to identify current and future application areas as well as existing industrial value 
chains  operating  in  the  area  of  3D  printing.  Based  on  this  information,  gaps  in  existing 
industrial value chains preventing to develop future application areas will be identified. The 
results  of  the  study  will  allow  to  understand  the  current  and  future  possible  evolution  of 
industrial  value  chains  in  the  EU.    The  results  will  provide  information  to  stakeholders 
allowing  them  to  identify  opportunities  for  future  cooperation  in  order  to  develop  new 
innovative  products  through  3D  printing  in  the  next  few  years.  The  analysis  will  help 
assessing future challenges and identifying cooperation opportunities with partners located in 
different  EU  regions  to  develop  joint  R&D  projects,  share  demonstration  facilities  and 
develop new innovative 3D printed products. 

2. Study on the dual-use potential of Key Enabling Technologies:  
Following  a  recommendation  from  the  KETs  High-Level  Group,  the  study  on  the  dual-use 
potential  of  KETs  looks  at  the  potential  of  KETs  for  dual-use  research  (i.e.  to  identify 
technologies with the greatest potential for applications in the defence sector and on the other 
hand,  identify  technologies  developed  by  the  EU  defence  sector  that  could  be  further 

14 

COM(2012)34, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0341:FIN:EN:PDF 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
developed for civil use).  The study is identifying KETs related innovation areas with a dual 
use  potential  and  of  high  relevance  to  the  European  Defence  Technological  and  Industrial 
Base. In addition, the study is analysing possible synergies between the identified innovation 
areas and previous work done in Framework Program 7 (FP7), by Member States (MS) and 
the European Defence Agency (EDA). The study is also analysing which of these innovation 
areas  coincide  with  the  EU  defence  community's  future  R&I  needs  and  which  innovation 
fields  and  underlying  technologies  could  potentially  be  included  in  future  research  and 
innovation programmes. 

In 2015, it was planned to sign three specific contracts covering the following domains of 
activity:   

3. KETs Observatory: Phase II 
This action is the continuation and further development of the KETs Observatory launched in 
2014 under CIP 2013. The aim is to update, expand, develop and run the KETs Observatory 
the 
activities  (https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/kets-tools/kets-deployment)  for 
time  period  2016-2018  in  order  to  provide  business  stakeholders  as  well  as  European  and 
national/regional policy makers with data and analysis on the deployment of KETs in the 28 
Member States of the European Union and in other regions of the world. This service contract 
will build on the results of the Phase I of the KETs Observatory which provided insights on 
the ability of countries to generate and commercialize new knowledge in KETs, as well as on 
the  impact  of  KETs  in  the  wider  economy  (first  and  second  reports  available  here: 
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/kets-tools/library).  

4.  Market relevance for Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the 

area of KETs: Connected & Automated Driving  

The  aim  of  the  study  on  Connected  &  Automated  Driving  is  to  analyse  the  existing  and 
planned  public  support  measures  offered  by  third  countries  (such  as  US,  China,  Japan  and 
Korea)  in  the  field  of  connected  and  automated  driving.    Several  national,  regional  and 
European small and large projects on connected and automated driving are actually running in 
the EU because of the strong global competition on this issue. The study will enable a better 
understanding of the evolution of similar projects outside the EU and gaps between EU and its 
competing  countries.  The  results  of  the  study  will  also  contribute  to  the  identification  of 
financial,  technological  and  regulatory  barriers  which  could  impede  the  competitiveness  of 
European projects related to connected and automated driving.  
The analysis of public support measures offered by third countries will help assessing future 
challenges  for  the  European  automotive  sector  as  regards  automated  and  connected  driving 
and will provide useful insights in view of a potential important project of common European 
interest (IPCEI) in this area. 

5.  Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures: Phase II   
This  action  is  the  continuation  and  further  development  of  the  KETs  Technology 
Infrastructures' action launched in 2014 under CIP 2013. Technological service centres active 
in the area of KETs (also called 'KETs technology infrastructures') can help SMEs to speed up 
the  commercialisation  of  their  innovation  ideas.  However,  SMEs  often  cannot  find 
technological  services  simply  due  to  lack  of  awareness.  As  part  of  the  action  launched  in 
2014, a web tool has been developed to help SMEs find technological service centres active in 
the 
(https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/ketsobservatory/kets-ti-
inventory/map).  The  centres  provide  services  to  enterprises,  such  as  help  with  prototyping, 
testing,  upscaling,  first  production  and  product  validation.  For  each  centre,  an  SME  contact 
person has been identified and contact details are provided. The mapping is being promoted 

field  of  KETs 

42 

 
 
and  disseminated  through  different  channels  such  as  social  media  and  the  EEN  (Enterprise 
Europe Network) to raise awareness and reach out as many SMEs as possible.  
As a follow-up of the Phase I recommendations, Phase II aims to (1) update the mapping of 
KETs technology infrastructures and (2)  prepare the setting up of collaboration networks of 
technology infrastructures in the field of KETs, with easy and pan-European access for SMEs. 
The objective is to analyse the feasibility and European added-value of such networks and to 
foster the emergence of new networks.  

All  activities  listed  above  are  in  line  with  the  Political  Guidelines  of  the  Juncker  
Commission,  notably:  A  Deeper  and  Fairer  Internal  Market  with  a  Strengthened  Industrial 
Base:  "…This  should  ensure  that  Europe  maintains  its  global  leadership  in  strategic  sectors 
with  high-value  jobs  …..  To  achieve  this,  we  need  to  stimulate  investment  in  new 
technologies,  improve  the  business  environment,  ease  access  to  markets  and  to  finance, 
particularly for SMEs, and ensure that workers have the skills industry needs." 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

1. 3D Printing study:  
The  contract  (under  Framework  contract)  was  signed  in  April  2015.  Quantitative  and 
qualitative  analyses  have  been  conducted  to  identify  opportunities  for  cross-regional 
collaboration.  The  project  analysed  10  application-driven  case  studies.  The  final  report  was  
delivered in June 2016.  

2. Study dual-use potential of KETs:  
EASME  published  the  call  for  tenders  in  December  2014.  The  contract  was  signed  in  July 
2015.  On  the  basis  of  on  online  survey  targeting  dual-use  experts  (launched  on  the  9th  of 
March  2016),  two  workshops  (May  2016  and  October  2016)  will  gather  relevant  experts  to 
review the survey results on dual-use innovation areas by analysing both technical and impact 
aspects  of  the  dual-use  areas  identified  during  the  study.  The  final  report  was  published  in 
February 2017.  

3. KETs Observatory (Phase II):  
EASME  published  the  call  for  tenders  on  31st  December  2015.  The  final  meeting  of  the 
evaluation committee took place on 11st April 2016. The contract was signed on 16 August  
2016. The kick-off meeting took place on 1 September 2016.  

4. Connected and Automated Driving  
The contract (under framework contract) was signed on 8 April 2016. The kick-off meeting 
took place on 13 April 2016.  

5. Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures (Phase II)   
EASME  published  the  call  for  tenders  on  29th  August  2015.  The  final  meeting  of  the 
evaluation committee took place on 29th January 2016. The contract was  signed on 24 June 
2016.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

1. 3D Printing study 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  final  report  was  delivered  in  June  2016  and  approved  by  EASME/DG  GROW  in  July 
2016.  Furthermore,  the  final  report  was  published  on  the  EU  bookshop  webpage,  DG  GROW 
Publications and KETs webpages to make it available to a broad public and was promoted on 
social media (twitter).   
The  identified  opportunities  for  cross-regional  demonstration  and  collaborative  projects  that 
were  identified  along  and  across  value  chains  are  further  promoted  towards  regional  and 
industrial stakeholders and are feeding in into DG GROW's actions to support the work of the 
Smart Specialisation Platform on Industrial Modernisation (COSME 2015 action 'WATIFY II' 
matchmaking and networking events in the area of digital and key enabling technologies).   
2. Study dual-use potential of KETs:  
The  final  report  was  delivered  in  December  2016  and  approved  by  EASME/DG  GROW  in 
January  2016.  Furthermore,  the  final  report  was  published  in  the  EU  bookshop  webpage,  DG 
GROW  Publications  and  KETs  webpages  to  make  it  available  to  a  broad  public.  The  study 
identified areas where Europe should invest to fully benefit from technologies that have a dual 
use  in  civilian  and  defence  markets...38  areas  were  selected  for  their  high  relevance  to  the 
European Defence Technological and Industrial base and their contribution to the 1) strategic 
independence  of  the  civilian  and  defence  supply  chains,  2)  economic  impact  on  EU  growth 
and job creation and 3) EU knowledge base (R&D capital stock and R&D&I infrastructure). 
These innovation areas range from robots to biometric identification techniques or even data 
mining, which all have a clear dual-use potential.  The policy target is to achieve better use of 
resources and unlock untapped potential in this domain 
3. KETs Observatory:  phase II  
Phase  II  started  on  16  August  2016  and  will  run  for  a  period  of  24  months.  As  part  of  the 
activities, the KETs Observatory will expand its database with statistical codes covering the 
digital  dimension  of  Advanced  Manufacturing.  In  addition,  the  KETs  Observatory  will 
produce 'Country profiles' and analyse what drives the performance of countries and explain 
the reasons behind the trends observed. Analytical reports on promising KETs-based products 
will be drawn up to support regional partnerships under the Smart Specialisation Platform on 
Industrial  Modernisation  and  will  describe  promising  KETs  based  products  and  their  value 
chains  and  recommend  policy  actions  to  help  the  EU  industry  stay  ahead  of  global 
competition. Awareness raising activities are also foreseen  to disseminate and communicate 
statistics  and  observed  trends  towards  stakeholders  (policy-makers,  industries  &  businesses, 
academia,  RTOs)  at  EU,  national  and  regional  levels.  The  Interim  Report  that  covers  the 
analysis  of  the  methodology  has  been  approved.  An  expert  workshop  took  place  on  20 
January 2017 in order to validate the findings. The Progress Report, the 38 country profiles 
and 12 analytical reports as well as three additional workshops will be completed in 2017 and 
2018. 
4. Connected and Automated Driving:  
The final report was submitted in June 2017 and will be published on EU Bookshop and DG 
GROW  Publications.  The  study  analysed  the  strategies,  funding  programmes,  standards,  
regulations  and  value  chains  for  connected  and  automated  driving  (C&AD)  in  selected 
countries  (France,  Germany,  Italy,  Spain,  Sweden,  United  Kingdom,  USA,  Japan,  South 
Korea and China). The report analysed the C&AD technologies and assessed global support 
measures  and  effectiveness  of  EU  support  measures.  The  comparative  analysis  provides  a 
clearer picture of the EU’s current position compared to its third country counterparts in the 
C&AD  area.  The  content  of  the  report  and  the  different  recommendations  are  helping  the 
Commission  and  stakeholders  to  identify  the  right  approach  to  promote  the  deployment  of 
C&AD in the EU.  

44 

 
 
5. Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures: Phase II   
Phase  II started in  June 2016 and will run  for a period  of 18  months (an extension of three 
months  has  been  requested  by  the  contractor  and  has  been  approved  by  the  agency).  The 
contract will end in December 2017. 
The  action  will  provide  SMEs  and  relevant  stakeholders  with  a  complete  and  up-to-date 
mapping of KETs Technology Centres (TCs) in Europe, by revising the data collected during 
the Phase I. The action will also demonstrate whether and how collaboration networks of such 
KETs  technology  infrastructures  with  one-stop  shop  access  are  expected  to  significantly 
contribute  to  foster  SMEs'  competitiveness,  growth  and  innovation  capacity.  The  mapping, 
the Interim Report, Draft Final Report and Final Report will be finalised in 2017. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

1. 3D Printing study:  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): N.A. (STUDY UNDER FRAMEWORK CONTRACT) 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 30 APRIL 2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 15 JUNE 2016 

2. Study dual-use potential of KETs:  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): DECEMBER 2014 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 9 JULY 2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 9 DECEMBER 2016 (THE ORIGINAL END OF THE CONTRACT WAS 9 JULY 
2016 BUT THE CONTRACTOR REQUESTED AND EXTENSION OF 5 MONTHS) 

3. KETs Observatory Phase II: 
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 16 DECEMBER 2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 16 AUGUST 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT:  16 AUGUST 2018 (24 MONTHS) 

4. Connected and Automated Driving:  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): N.A. (STUDY UNDER FRAMEWORK CONTRACT) 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 8 APRIL 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT: 8 APRIL 2017 (THE ORIGINAL END OF THE CONTRACT WAS 8 JANUARY BUT 
THE CONTRACTOR REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF 3 MONTHS) 

5. Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures Phase II:  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 28 AUGUST 2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 24 JUNE 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT:  24 DECEMBER 2017 (THE ORIGINAL END OF THE CONTRACT WAS 24 
SEPTEMBER 2017 BUT THE CONTRACTOR REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF 3 MONTHS) 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

1. 3D Printing study:  

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service contract - Specific contract under a framework contract:  
The price to be paid under the specific contract for the study in the area of 3D Printing is € 
297.800  covering  all  tasks  executed.  In  addition  up  to  an  amount  of  8000  euro  shall  be 
reimbursed according to the provisions of the framework contract.  

2. Study dual-use potential of KETs:  

Service contract - Open call for tenders - Study on the dual-use potential of KETs: The price 
to be paid under this specific contract is € 241.706 covering all tasks executed.  

3. KETs Observatory Phase II: 
The  budget  available  for  the  call  for  tenders  was  €  400.000.  Two  offers  were  received  of 
which one has been chosen to be awarded the contract. The price to be paid under this specific 
contract is € 370.000. 

4. Connected and Automated Driving:  
Service contract - Specific contract under a framework contract:  
The price to be paid under the specific contract is € 99.700 covering all tasks executed. 

5. Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures Phase II:  
The  budget  available  for  the  call  for  tenders  was  €  300.000.  Five  offers  were  received  of 
which one has been chosen to be awarded the contract. The price to be paid under this specific 
contract is € 267.650.  

6. INDICATORS 

The  indicators  are  directly  linked  to  the  implementation  of,  and  performance  under  the 
different contracts, so it will only be possible to report on them at the end of the contracts. 
The finalised studies and indicators are listed below: 

1. 3D PRINTING STUDY 
-  Number  of  industrial  value  chains  analysed:  10  (car  interior  components,  spare  parts  for 
machines,  parts  for  airplanes,  manufacturing  moulds,  implants,  surgical  planning  tools, 
printed food, textiles, home decoration products and houses) 
- Number of identified opportunities for cross-regional cooperation: between 1 - 3 for each of 
the 10 analysed value chains 

2. STUDY DUAL-USE POTENTIAL OF KETS 
-  Number  of  areas  selected  in  which  Europe  should  strategically  invest:  38  areas  grouped 
under  7  thematic  fields  (energy  for  mobility;  fundamental  non-dependence  materials  and 
components;  health  and  sanitary  protection;  communication,  navigation  and  surveillance 
systems;  human  assistance  and  robotics;  security/cybersecurity  systems;  production  and 
supply chain solutions) 

4. CONNECTED AND AUTOMATED DRIVING 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-  Feedback  from  industry  stakeholders  on  the  degree  to  which  the  study  results  directly  or 
indirectly will be taken up by the sector (through a specific workshop) 
-  Follow-up  of  recommendations  in  the  context  of  the  GEAR  2030  working  group  on 
automated driving (ongoing) 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

1. 3D Printing study:  
Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (WIFO) 
2. Study dual-use potential of KETs:  
D'Appolonia, CEA, TNO, Oakdene Hollins (consortium) 
3. KETs Observatory Phase II: 
PwC EU Services EESV (Belgium), CARSA (Spain), CBT - Communication Multimedia 
S.L. (Spain), Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands)  
4. Connected and Automated Driving:  
Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (WIFO) 
5. Promoting the access of SMEs to KETs technology infrastructures Phase II:  
IDEA Consult (Belgium), Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences (Czech Republic), 
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V. (Germany) 

47 

 
 
  
 
 
   
 
GRO/SME/15/C/N11 - Design-based consumer goods 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective of the action is to reinforce the competitiveness of the European SMEs active in 
the design-based consumer goods area. By encouraging the market uptake of new and creative 
solutions in the design-based consumer goods area, the action aims at multiplying the effects 
of  foreseen  solutions  by  mobilising  a  wide  market  uptake  and  reaching  a  critical  mass  and 
self-sufficiency during the project duration or in the short/medium term.   
The  measure  therefore  seeks  to  bridge  the  gap  between  research  and  innovation  on  the  one 
hand  and  market  on  the  other  hand  by  supporting  scale-up,  market  replication  and/or  first 
application of projects related to novel products, services, techniques or processes. By doing 
so,  it  will  limit  to  a  large  extent  the  residual  risk  and  will  contribute  to  stimulating 
competitiveness among EU SMEs of the targeted value chains. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Following the first call for proposals published on 5 May 2015, 27 proposals were submitted 
out  of  which  4  were  awarded.  In  total,  the  4  proposals  awarded  comprise  14  beneficiaries; 
each  of  the  projects  is  led  by  an  SME  (two  Italian  and  two  Spanish  companies  are  project 
leaders).  
A  second  call  for  proposals  was  published  on  10  December  2015  with  a  budget  of  EUR  4 
million.  The  deadline  for  submitting  proposals  was  14  April  2016.  26  proposals  were 
received, 5 proposals awarded (Project leaders: one Portuguese, one Belgian, and 3 Spanish 
companies. The Partnerships involve in total 15 participants (SMEs and non-SMEs).  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 

The proposals submitted in second call for proposals have been evaluated between May and 
July 2016, in a shorter period than foreseen. The foreseen date of the signature of contracts is 
between September and December with a planned starting date January 2017. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Publication of the Call (where relevant): 1st call: 5/5/2015; 2nd call: 10/12/2015 
STARTING  DATE  OF  THE  CONTRACT:  1ST  BATCH:  1  APRIL  2016.  Project  duration 
varies  between  24-33  months.  2ND  BATCH:  Projects  started  in  December  2016  and  1 
January 2017. Project duration varies between 24-33 months.  

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget available (total): EUR 11.2 million 
Budget committed after the 1st call: EUR 3.384.945 (4 proposals awarded) 
Budget committed after the 2nd call: EUR 4.804.569,30.  

6. INDICATORS 

Number of SMEs benefitting from the measure resulting from the 1st Call: 10 SMEs and 4 
other beneficiaries  

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of SMEs benefitting from the measure resulting from the 2nd Call: 10 SMEs and 5 
other beneficiaries  
Number of new solutions resulting from the measure: 10 after the 1st Call and 2nd Call 
Number of SMEs benefitting from the measure resulting from the 2nd Call: 20 SMEs and 9 
other beneficiaries (research institutes and other business support organisations) 
Number of new solutions resulting from the measure (including 1st and 2nd Call): 10 projects 
(4 on-going grant agreements and 6 completed within year 2016). 
The stage of implementation does not allow measuring other relevant indicators. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The actions are being implemented by SMEs who are project leaders and direct beneficiaries.  

GRO/SME/15/C/N12 – TOURISM 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Encouraging,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  creation  of  a  favourable  environment  for  the 

In  line  with  the  Lisbon  Treaty,  the  actions  proposed  under  COSME  2015  aimed  at 
contributing to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Commission priorities of 
boosting  growth  and  jobs,  by  focusing  on  the  enhancement  of  the  competitiveness  and 
sustainable growth of the tourism sector in Europe. The actions aimed in general at: 
- 
development of undertakings in this sector; 
- 
Five  operational  objectives  have  been  pursued:  (1)  increasing  tourism  demand,  (2) 
diversifying  tourism  offer,  (3)  enhancing  tourism  quality  sustainability,  accessibility, 
skills, information and innovation, (4) improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector 
and  (5)  increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 
destinations. 
The  following  activities  were  implemented  under  the  COSME  2015  Work  Programme1)

Promoting trans-national cooperation, particularly by the exchange of good practice; 

Increasing tourism flows in low season 

Diversifying the EU tourism offer and products  

Under this objective, several project partnerships were co-funded to facilitate the increase of 
tourism flows during low and medium seasons between COSME countries. The partnerships 
targeted  particular  specific  groups,  such  as  seniors  (notably  through  specific  active  and 
healthy ageing activities) and the youth. 
2) 
Under this objective two actions were implemented:  
a)  Several  project  partnerships  (with  involvement  of  tourism  SMEs)  were  co-funded  to 
promote transnational tourism offer in the fields of sustainable tourism with links to natural 
heritage  and  focus  on  sport  and  wellbeing  activities,  as  well  as  in  the  field  of  cultural  and 
industrial heritage.   
b) Activities of promotion were co-funded to raise awareness about European Destination of 
Excellence” (EDEN), which stand for small, emerging and non-traditional sustainable tourist 
destinations.  
3) 
innovation  

Enhance  tourism  quality,  sustainability,  accessibility,  skills,  information  and 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
a)  Numerous  awareness-raising  activities  (including  events  and  experts'  meetings)  targeting 
Commission tourism initiatives and enhancing the exchange of best practices at EU level were 
organised. They helped facilitate the dialog between public authorities and tourism industry. 
The events included among others: European Tourism Forum, European Tourism Day, EDEN 
Network meeting, meetings with networks and industry on the priorities for EU tourism and 
other communication activities (e.g.: meetings to encourage uptake of the European Tourism 
Indicator  System  (ETIS),  the  destination  management  tool  which  can  help  destinations  to 
measure  and  monitor  their  sustainable  tourism  performance,  meetings  on  digital  tourism 
issues, accessibility, etc.). The European food-tourism week was organised in the context of 
EXPO  Milan  2015  with  the  aim  of  raising  awareness  about  the  attractiveness  of  local 
gastronomy as element of the tourism experience. Finally, also the High-level Conference on 
"Attracting  investment  in  Tourism"  was  organised  with  the  aim  of  boosting  financing, 
improving business environment and upgrading skills to strengthen the competitiveness of the 
EU tourism industry.  
b) Several actions on tourism accessibility have been implemented: 
1) Project partnerships have been co-funded to develop accessible tourism products (such as 
itinerary/trail/tourism  products)  and  improve  facilities  and  services  for  tourists  with  special 
access needs focusing on sports/outdoor activities and on cultural heritage.  
2)  Services to  ensure the  maintenance and  the addition  of new contents to  the digital  portal 
and accessible tourism directory Pantou were funded to keep the platform up to date and adapt 
it to the needs of the users.  
4) 
The main actions under this priority included: 
(a)  The  production  of  the  annual  Eurobarometer  survey  on  "Preferences  and  Attitudes  of 
Europeans towards tourism" which allowed identifying the evolution of trends in the demand 
for EU tourism products. The survey results allow the Commission and COSME countries to 
shape  tourism  policy  actions  and  to  take  management  decisions  in  line  with  the  needs  and 
expectations of travellers.  
(b) The provision of contents for the "Virtual Tourism Observatory"(VTO) portal and related 
socio-economic content, to allow public and private tourism stakeholders in Europe to easily 
access relevant information through a dedicated website. 
(c)  Focussed  cooperation  activities  with  the  World  Tourism  Organisation  (UNWTO)  in  the 
context of an ad-hoc grant.  
5) 
destinations  
Under  this  objective,  a  number  of  activities  were  undertaken  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
European  Travel  Commission  (ETC)  in  order  to  promote  Europe  as  a  unique  set  of  very 
different destinations in third countries and increase the number of arrivals to Europe. These 
activities  were  designed  in  close  cooperation  with  the  National  Tourism  Organisation  of 
countries participating. 

Increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 

Improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

In  general,  the  tourism  initiatives  funded  by  COSME  2015  contributed  to  strengthening  the 
competitiveness  of  the  European  tourism  sector.  The  initiatives  dedicated  to  the  increase  of 
senior and young tourists' flows contributed to generate an extension of  the tourism season, 
which is fundamental for the industry to gain competitiveness and to offer all year round jobs. 
The  EU  transnational  thematic  tourism  offer  has  been  enlarged  and  diversified  and  new 

50 

 
 
 
Increasing tourism flows in low season  

public-private partnerships supported and consolidated. The participation of small and micro 
enterprises  in  tourism  partnerships  have  been  strongly  encouraged  and  increased.  This 
measure should contributed not only to increasing intra-European tourism and, but also, in a 
longer term, it will also contribute to attracting tourists from outside Europe. The increase of 
tourists to Europe latter result is also obtained via the successful cooperation with ETC. The 
visibility  of  European  Destinations  of  Excellence  has  been  improved,  which  will  trigger 
higher numbers of potential tourist arrivals and local spill-over revenues for the destinations 
and  tourism  operators.  Awareness-raising  activities  and  events  generated  a  better  visibility 
and  up-take  of  tourism  initiatives,  such  as  European  Destinations  of  Excellence  (EDEN)  or 
the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS), but was also a platform of exchanging good 
practices  and  discussion  the  challenges  of  the  EU  tourism  such  as:  better  use  of  EU  funds, 
innovation, digitalisation, seasonality, senior tourism, skills, etc.  
More specifically:  
1) 
11  transnational  projects  aiming  at  the  increase  of  tourism  flows  during  the  low  season 
between  COSME  countries  have  been  awarded  with  grants  under  this  theme.  9  of  these 
projects are targeting senior tourists (over 55 years old) and 2 projects are focused on young 
tourists  (between  15  and  29  years  old).  Among  other  activities,  senior  projects  aimed  at 
designing  and  developing  a  "transnational  mobility  model"  around  a  specific  tourism 
product(s)  for  an  age-friendly  tourism.  The  youth  projects  aimed  at  supporting  intra-EU 
"mobility  schemes  between  organisations"  (for  example  youth  associations,  schools/clubs, 
sport  associations,  educational  institutes,  volunteering  organisations,  etc.),  in  different  EU 
countries,  fostering  young  people  travel/tourism/volunteering  experiences  in  other  EU 
countries.  A  total  of  92  partners  from  20  countries  (19  MS  and  1  candidate  country  - 
(FYROM) are participating in the consortia.  
2) 
(a) Support to development and promotion of transnational thematic tourism products 
10 transnational projects have been awarded with EU grants under this theme of the call. The 
projects  are  being  will  be  implemented  by  private-public  partnerships  where  at  least  two 
SMEs  are  involved.  The  EU  funding  covers  the  development  (up  to  pre-commercial  phase) 
and  promotion  of  transnational  tourism  products.  The  projects  awarded  will  promote  in 
particular  sustainable-tourism  activities (linked  to  sport/wellness  activity  tourism  in  synergy 
with  natural  heritage)  and  cultural  or  industrial  heritage.  The  awarded  projects  represent  a 
wide  spectrum  of  the  themes  covered  (from  hiking,  cycling  or  fishing  tourism  to  projects 
promoting  cultural  and  industrial  heritage)  and  have  a  great  potential  to  diversify  and  raise 
attractiveness of the EU tourism offer. A total of 88 partners from 22 COSME countries are 
participating in the consortia.  
(b) European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) 
13  countries  will  implement  the  transnational  EDEN  promotion  and  awareness  raising 
campaigns  2016-2017.  Grant  agreements  were  signed  with  national  tourism  authorities  in: 
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, 
Malta, Poland and Slovenia. The campaigns are aiming at promotion of small, emerging and 
non-traditional  sustainable  tourist  destinations  (winners  and  runners-up  of  the  previous 
European Destination of Excellence” (EDEN).  
3) 
innovation  
(a) Awareness-raising activities (including events and meetings) 

tourism  quality,  sustainability,  accessibility,  skills, 

Diversifying the EU tourism offer and products  

information  and 

Enhance 

51 

 
 
(policy  makers,  public  authorities,  destinations  managers, 

20  A  number  of  events  and  meetings  were  organized  to  inform  public  and  private 
stakeholders 
industry 
representatives,  associations,  networks  etc.)  on  the  EU  policy  initiatives  benefiting  the 
tourism  sector  (including  awareness  raising  about  the  EU  funding  opportunities).  The  final 
beneficiaries, tourism related stakeholders have been informed about the EU initiatives having 
impact on tourism, the possibility of cooperation with the Commission in the implementation 
of EU tourism policy actions as well as the available EU funds and programmes for tourism 
development. Also the cooperation and networking between different stakeholders have been 
strengthened.  
(b) Tourism accessibility  
1) The implementation of the 8 awarded projects started in the summer of 2016 (one in June 
and 7 in July) with the aim to develop accessible tourism itineraries (exploiting synergies with 
the  actions  for  senior  and  low  season  tourism)  to  improve  the  facilities  and  services  for 
tourists  with  special  access  needs.  Awareness  raising  meetings  have  so  far  been  organised 
with  stakeholders  such  as  local  authorities  and  SMEs  active  in  the  tourism  sector,  industry 
representatives, associations, etc., while some projects have also been represented at tourism 
fairs. 
1) It is expected that 8 project will start in July 2016 with aim to develop accessible tourism 
itineraries  (exploiting  synergies  with  the  actions  for  senior  and  low  season  tourism)  to 
improve the facilities and services for tourists with special access needs. 
2)  The  online  European  Accessible  Tourism  Directory  PANTOU  was  will  be  updated, 
enriched with new content and functionalities and better promoted. 
4) 
Improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector  
(a)  The  production  of  the  annual  Eurobarometer  survey  on  "Preferences  and  Attitudes  of 
Europeans towards tourism" 
The reports of the 2016 Flash Eurobarometer were released in March 2016 and published into 
the Virtual Tourism Observatory. The survey looks at the travel patterns of European citizens 
in  the  28  Member  States  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  Turkey,  the  former  Yugoslav 
Republic  of  Macedonia,  Iceland,  Montenegro  and  Moldova.  It  explores  a  range  of  aspects 
regarding holidays in 2015 and 2016, in particular: respondents’ reasons for going on holiday 
in  2015;  information  sources  and  tools  used  to  book  holidays;  respondents’  travel  profiles, 
preferred destinations and holiday types; satisfaction with various aspects of holidays in 2015; 
plans  for  holidays  in  2016,  including  the  potential  impact  of  the  current  economic  situation 
and of the local conditions at the destination. 
(b) The provision of contents for the "Virtual Tourism Observatory" (VTO) portal and related 
socio-economic content 
In order to enhance and update the content of the VTO platform the following tasks have been 
carried out: revamp of the menu and the landing page with the insertion of a set of interactive 
charts. development of a new indicator to measure and benchmark the degree of seasonality in 
the  tourism  sector  (Gini  index),  development  of  a  new  section  collecting  links  on  the  main 
policies that apply to tourism in the EU, production of short reports on themes relevant to the 
programme  of  the  Unit,  perform  ad-hoc  research  to  feed  infographics  to  be  used  in  social-
media  campaigns,  brief  ad-hoc  analysis  to  support  the  unit  policy  initiatives  in  tourism, 
monitoring of the VTO site analytics. 
(c)  Focused  cooperation  activities  with  the  World  Tourism  Organisation  (UNWTO)  in  the 
context of an ad-hoc grant 
The  implementation  of  the  contract  is  looking  to  achieve,  amongst  others,  the  following 
objectives: increasing national experts’ capacity to develop their Systems of Tourism Satellite 

52 

 
 
Account through the provision of trainings, developing a comparative report analysing main 
tourism trends in the EU, placing the EU in worldwide context, ensuring the promotion of the 
Western European Silk Road and delivery of basic tools on how to use the Silk Road brand to 
its  maximum  potential,  as  well  as  creating  a  platform  for  engagement  between  the 
stakeholders  from  the  participating  countries;  as  well  as  the  organisation  of  the  3rd 
International Congress on Ethics and Tourism UNWTO. 
5) 
destinations  
This  action  will  enhance  inspirational  "visiteurope.com"  portal  showcasing  pan-European 
experiences  and  deploy  a  marketing  campaign  promoting  Europe  to  USA  travellers  in 
partnership with travel industry partners. 

Increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 
Given  the  success  of  the  initiatives  (calls  for  proposals/call  for  tenders),  resulting  in  the 
submission  of  a  higher  number  of  proposals/bids  than  originally  expected,  as  well  as 
adaptations  due  to  decentralisation  to  EASME  and  its  necessary  procedures  in  the 
management of calls, projects commencement dates were in most cases slightly reviewed. All 
projects  commenced  in  2016.  The  implementation  will  continue  through  2016  and  2017.  In 
2016  and  2017  the  implementation  of  the  awarded  projects  will  be  closely  monitored.  The 
monitoring will be based mainly on a continuous reporting system, which will allow EASME 
to  be  updated  daily  on  progresses  and  achievements,  and  on  monitoring  visits  whenever 
necessary. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Diversifying the EU tourism offer and products  

Increasing tourism flows in low season  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 30 April 2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: March/April 2016. 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: 12-18 months 
2) 
(a) support to development and promotion of  transnational thematic tourism products: 
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 30 April 2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: March/April 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: October 2017 / 15-18 months  
(b) European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN): 
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 28 April 2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: January/February /April 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: 15-18 months 
3) 
innovation  
(a) Specific contracts under framework contracts and reimbursement of experts:  
Events, meetings and communication actions took place during 2015 and first half of 2016.  
(b) Enhance tourism accessibility:  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 30 April 2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: June-July 2016 / November 2015 (for Pantou) 

Enhance  tourism  quality,  sustainability,  accessibility,  skills,  information  and 

53 

 
 
 
 
Improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector 

END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: 18-24 months / March 2017 (for Pantou) 
4) 
(a) the production of the annual  Eurobarometer survey on "Preferences and Attitudes 
of Europeans towards tourism" 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: July 2015 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: June 2016 
(b) the provision of contents for the "Virtual Tourism Observatory" portal and related 
socio-economic content 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: April 2015 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: April 2016 
(c)  focused  cooperation  activities  with  the  World  Tourism  Organisation  (UNWTO)  in 
the context of an ad-hoc grant 
THE PROJECT WAS REPATRIATED TO DG GROW. 
5) 
destinations  
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): September 2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: January 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT/DURATION: December 2016  / 12  MONTHS 

Increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Increasing tourism flows in low season  

1) 
From a total of 65 proposals submitted to theme 1, 11 projects have been awarded with EU 
grants with EU co-financing of maximum 250.000 EUR per project.   
A total budget of 2 million EUR was allocated in  the Work Programme 2015 to this  theme 
and 2.429.262 EUR finally committed using reallocated credits.  
Diversifying the EU tourism offer and products  
2) 
(a) support to development and promotion of  transnational thematic tourism products: 
From a total of 103 proposals submitted to theme 2, 10 projects have been awarded with EU 
grants with a EU co-financing of maximum 250.000 EUR per project.   
A total budget of 2 million EUR was allocated in  the Work Programme 2015 to this  theme 
and 2,312,498 EUR finally committed using reallocated credits.  
(b) European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN):  
13 proposals have been awarded out of a total of 13 submitted. The budget allocated was 
600.000 EUR and actually committed was 589.380 EUR . 
3) 
innovation  
(a)  Specific  contracts  under  framework  contracts  for  organisation  of  events  and 
reimbursement of experts 
Events, meetings and communication actions took place during 2015 and first half of 2016. 
The total budget allocated was 800.000 EUR.  
(b) Enhance tourism accessibility 
From  a  total  of  35  proposals  submitted  to  this  theme,  8  projects  have  been  selected  to  be 
awarded with grants with a EU maximum co-funding of 125.000 EUR per project.  

Enhance  tourism  quality,  sustainability,  accessibility,  skills,  information  and 

54 

 
 
 
Improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector  

The total budget allocated to this theme was 1 million EUR. Actually committed: 965,498.25 
EUR.  
4) 
(a) the production of the annual  Eurobarometer survey on "Preferences and Attitudes 
of Europeans towards tourism" 
Budget allocated in the work programme 500.000 EUR and committed: EUR 536,456.79 
(c)  focussed  cooperation  activities  with  the  World  Tourism  Organisation  (UNWTO)  in 
the context of an ad-hoc grant 
Budget  allocated  in  the  work  programme  400.000  EUR  corresponding  to  75%  contribution 
from EC 
5) 
destinations  
The  total  budget  of  this  ad-hoc  grant  was  1  million  EUR.  The  individual  commitment  has 
been EUR 899,482. 

Increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 

6. INDICATORS 

1. Increasing tourism flows in low season  
Number of co-financed projects: 11 
- 
Number  of  countries  participating  in  transnational  cooperation  projects:  20  -  good 

- 
geographical representation  
- 

Participation of a COSME (non MS) country  
Number  of  created  public-private  partnerships  and  number  of  stakeholders 
- 
participating in transnational cooperation projects: 11 public and private partnerships and 92 
organizations/partners involved 
Number  of  schools  or  youth  associations  involved  in  an  exchange  mechanism:  10 
- 
(including the European Youth Card Association that gave its input in the development of one 
of the two 'youth' projects) 
- 
NA 
- 
ETIS indicators scheme), through specific follow up projects 
- 

Increase of nights spent by EU tourists in other Member States during the low season: 

Increased  awareness  of  Commission  initiatives  (EDEN  emerging  destinations  and 

Increased awareness of lesser known destinations and transnational thematic offers 
Tangible  transnational  efforts  to  extend  the  touristic  seasonality  spread,  through 

- 
initiatives relating to seniors and youths. 

2. 

Diversifying the EU tourism offer and products  
Number  of 

transnational 

cooperation 

co-financed  projects:  10 

and  88 

- 
organizations/partners involved. 
- 
countries -good geographical balance  
- 
32  
- 

Number  of  countries  participating  in  transnational  cooperation  projects:  22  COSME 

Number of SMEs involved in the development of transnational cooperation projects: 

Number of participating countries in the promotional campaigns: 13 
Increased awareness of the lesser known EDEN destinations through different 

- 
communications and promotional activities 

55 

 
 
 
3. 
innovation  
- 

Increased awareness about and visibility of lesser known/emerging destinations and 

- 
transnational thematic tourism offers (survey of key stakeholders) 

Enhance tourism quality, sustainability, accessibility, skills, information and 

Number of best accessible practices identified – not yet available 
Number of ICT portal hits and feedback from tourism stakeholders on the usefulness 

Clients/users'  assessment  of  the  accessibility  and  user-friendliness  of  the  proposed 

Uptake  of  (ICT)  solutions  and  services  into  the  business  tools  of  SMEs  (number  of 

- 
of content: no feedback available as of yet 
- 
SMEs) - Research currently ongoing. 
- 
solutions and tools – ongoing 
- 
major events, conferences and several smaller/experts meetings.   
Increased  awareness  about  and  visibility  of  the  key  opportunities,  policy  initiatives 
- 
and  other  actions  developed  for  the  benefit  of  the  sector  (survey  of  key  stakeholders) 
Stakeholder feedback reported highly positive outcome of events, workshops and conferences 
in terms of information and awareness-raising of policy initiatives, funding opportunities and 
cooperation between stakeholders. 

Number  of  events,  conferences,  workshops,  expert  meetings  organized:  around  ten 

4. 

Improving socio-economic knowledge of the sector 
Feedback  from  tourism  industry  stakeholders  /  national  tourism  administrations  on 
- 
quality,  relevance  and  added-value  of  documents  produced  (through  a  survey  or  collected 
through meetings/other exchanges) 
- 
Number  of  data/reports/studies  (co-)produced  and  included  in  the  VTO  knowledge 
base:  Eurobarometer  country  fiches  of  2014,  2015,  OECD  country  fiches  of  2014,  Member 
States Annual Reports 2009-2015, a few dozens of studies on various topics, approximatively 
30 pieces of legislation and policy papers  
Feedback from stakeholders / national tourism administrations on the degree to which 
- 
the  data  and  research  results  directly  or  indirectly  benefited  policy  makers  at  European, 
national  and/or  regional  level  and  to  SMEs  (through  a  survey  or  collected  through 
meetings/other exchange) 
National  tourism  administrations  recognized  at  numerous  occasions  during  Tourism 
- 
Advisory Committee meetings the usefulness of having such a data base as a single info point 
for analyses and statistics in tourism 

Increasing  Europe's  visibility  as  a  tourist  destination  as  well  as  of  its  diverse 

Number  of  web  pages  referencing  EU  communication  materials:  +24%;  24.672.703 

5. 
destinations  
- 
impressions shown across selected Expedia sites 
- 

Number of communication events n.a. 
Number  of  portal  hits  during  the  low  season  months  :  2.400.000  total  annual  page 

Number  of  portal  hits  during  the  high  season  months:  2.400.000  total  annual  page 

- 
views 
- 
views 
- 
1.9% during campaigns; room nights increased of 13.7% after campaign  
- 
2.400.000 total annual page views; 10.720 banners were clicked on. 

Increased  awareness  of  EU  as  a  unique  set  destination:    visiteurope.com  registered 

Increased  number  of  non  EU  tourists  from  third  countries:  passengers  increased  of 

56 

 
 
7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

National  and  regional  administrations  in  charge  of  tourism,  European  tourism  associations, 
SMEs,  not  for  profit  organisations,  public  and  private  entities.  The  list  of  beneficiaries  is 
available on the EASME internet page: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/cosme-projects . 

GRO/SME/15/C/N131 - European Construction Observatory 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The observatory is a 3-years action that will provide European policy makers and stakeholders 
with  regular  analysis  and  comparative  assessments  of  the  market  conditions  and  policy 
developments related to the competitiveness and sustainability of construction sector in EU-
28.  The  analysis  and  evaluations  will  support  the  exchange  of  experience  between  Member 
States and stakeholders regarding the definition, implementation, monitoring and assessment 
of  the  impact  of  policy  measures  related  to  competitiveness  of  construction  enterprises, 
including the engagement with sustainable development objectives. 
The main deliverables are: 
 

Individual  country  profiles  for  each  Member  State  of  the  EU-28  regarding  the  market 
conditions  and  trends  as  well  as  national/regional  strategies  related  to  the  five  thematic 
priorities of Construction 2020; 
fact sheets on individual national and/or regional policy measures related to the thematic 
priorities of Construction 2020, identifying the process of implementation and monitoring, 
the likely socio-economic effects on the various actors in the construction sector and the 
environmental impacts on society; 

 

  semi-annual analytical reports based on the individual country profiles and fact sheets, and 
other 
formulate  policy 
recommendations  with respect to the socio-economic and environmental performance of 
the construction sector; 

sources,  which  clearly 

issues  and 

relevant 

identify 

  development  and  update  of  dedicated  web  pages  for  Europa  and  the  promotion  of  these 

web pages. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015 

Progress in Work Package 1 – Country Fact Sheets 
10 datasets (Excel) and Country Fact Sheets (Word) have been produced during the first year 
of project implementation  (March 2015-March 2016),  according to the project plan.  The 10 
Country  Fact  Sheets  (United  Kingdom,  Italy,  Ireland,  Poland,  Sweden,  France,  Spain, 
Germany,  Romania  and  Hungary)  were  delivered  to  the  Commission,  reviewed,  and  a 
conform draft version send for consultation with MS experts and EU umbrella organisations. 
The overall impact in terms of quality is satisfactory. This information is being used both by 
external stakeholders (industry) as well as internally in EU processes such as the EU Semester 
for  the  drafting  of  Country  Specific  Recommendations  (CSRs).  The  CFS  has  also  proved 
valuable to further disseminate EU studies, especially in the area of Internal Market and C&D 
waste. It will also contribute to analyse the level of implementation of the different Thematic 
Objectives of the Construction 2020 Action Plan. 

Progress in Work Package 2 – Policy Fact Sheets 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
In parallel to the 10 Country Fact Sheets, 20 Policy Fact Sheets were produced, representing 
two  Policy  Fact  Sheets  per  country.  A  model  database  (Access)  has  been  delivered  to  the 
Commission and will serve as a search tool based on criteria such as: actors involved, budget, 
etc. 

Progress in Work Package 3 – Analytical Reports 
The  first  Analytical  Report  was  produced  and  delivered  to  the  EC  in  March  2016.  It  was 
focused  on  the  Thematic  Objective  1  of  the  Construction  2020  Strategy  for  the  sustainable 
competitiveness  of  the  construction  sector  and  its  enterprises:  Stimulating  Favourable 
investment conditions. The Analytical Report summarized the findings and lessons learned on 
the investment landscape of 10 analysed countries and provided specific examples of policy 
practices  that  have  influences  the  investment  conditions  for  the  construction  sector  in  the 
analysed market. 
The  analytical  report  has  served  to  observe  the  impact  of  the  developed  quantitative  and 
qualitative  indicators.  Especially  in  the  area  of  investment  a  good  segmentation  of 
construction markets allows for better policy making initiatives. 

Progress in Work Package 4 – Dissemination 
The  ECSO  website  is  on-line  as  of  December  2015.  The  final  decision  to  host  the  ECSO 
Website under Europa represented a minor delay of publication due to content restructuration. 
A  simple  1page  design  with  interactive  EU-map  signals  all  available  deliverables.  Also 
specific  subsections  indicate  additional  deliverables  (analytical  reports  &  database).  In  the 
first year of existence, ECSO website traffic has been as follows: 

Already available impact indicators: 
% of total 
Country 
2,90%   
Austria  
16,40% 
Belgium 
0,60%   
Bulgaria 
0,80%   
Croatia  
1,40%   
Czech R. 
1% 
Denmark 
0,30%   
Estonia 
1,20%   
Finland 
6,20%   
France  
6,70%   
Germany 
1% 
Greece  
0,50%   
Hungary 
0,60%   
Ireland  
5,80%   
Italy 
Latvia   
0,40%   
Luxembourg  11,20% 
Netherlands  2,70%   
1,80%   
Poland  

Number of visits 
28 
159 
6 
8 
14 
10 
3 
12 
60 
65 
10 
5 
6 
56 
4 
109 
26 
17 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portugal 
Romania 
Slovenia 
Spain   
Sweden 
U.Kingdom 

3,30%   
1,90%   
0,70%   
7,90%   
1,30%   
7,20%   

32 
18 
7 
77 
13 
70 

3rd countries represent the rest up to 944 visits (129, 16,2%). 
Number of visits 
Country 
24 
Unknown 
India 
23 
United States  18 
16 
Turkey  
8 
Russia  
6 
Belarus 
6 
Colombia 
5 
Japan   
Serbia   
5 
Switzerland  5 
3 
Norway 
2 
Albania 
2 
China   
2 
Iran 
Panama 
2 
Saudi Arabia  2 

The number of downloads up to 18th March was as follows: 
UK: 486 
IT: 240 
IE: 40 
PL: 35 
SE: 69 
ES: 86 
FR: 76 
HU: 31 
RO: 39 

Length of visits to RCSO (March 2015-March 2016) 
Visits 
Visit duration   
334 
0-10s 
48 
11-30s  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31-60s  
1-2min  
2-4min  
4-7min  
7-10min 
10-15min 
15-30min 
30min+ 

43 
76 
84 
65 
67 
80 
104 
73 

This has been achieved with no other dissemination activity than the existing website.  
To strengthen the impact and use of information, the Contractor has delivered also in March 
2016  a  draft  Communication  Strategy  with  proposed  actions.  Production  of  promotional 
materials will start with the implementation of the proposed Communication Strategy in Year 
2 based on the templates provided in the initial offer, and the reviewed draft Strategy of Year 
1 to achieve a better coherence and effectiveness of the dissemination strategy. 

Communication and dissemination activities 
A  workshop  with  stakeholders  was  organised  in  Brussels  on  Friday  23  October  2015.  The 
workshop served as a discussion platform to challenge and verify the findings and structure of 
the Country Fact Sheets, data samples and Policy Fact Sheets.  
The pilot Country Fact Sheets (for the United Kingdom and Poland), as well as the rationale 
behind  the  databases  and  relevant  policy  findings  were  presented  and  discussed  with  the 
relevant  country  stakeholders  during  the  workshop  in  October  2015.  Representatives  of  the 
Thematic Group 1 of the Construction 2020 were set up for this workshop by the EC. Industry 
representatives  have  also  attended  a  workshop  and  provided  valuable  input  into  the 
discussion.  The  structure  of  the  report  was  afterwards  slightly  modified  for  efficiency  and 
better reflection of the market.  More specifically, the structure of the following sections was 
adjusted: 

Share of companies per sub-sector in Table 1 was replaced by the Share of the Gross 
1. 
Value Added of different subsectors in the GDP in order to better illustrate the value and the 
size of each sub-sector; 
Indicator of the construction cost index was added to the productivity section; 
2. 
3. 
The  figure  on  the  employment  structure  in  the  narrow  construction  sector  was 
removed  and  replaced  by  written  analysis  to  avoid  duplication  with  the  broad  sector 
description; 
4. 
Construction confidence indicator; 
5. 
licences were merged; 
6. 
comparable data between countries. 

Sections  on  the  time  and  cost  of  work  permits  and  on  the  time  and  costs  of  getting 

Section  on  the  business  confidence  was  completed  with  the  analysis  of  the 

Section  on  the  design  and  as-built  performance  was  removed  due  to  the  lack  of 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015? 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The contract was established for the duration of one year (March 2015 to March 2016). The 
contract  was  renewed  for  1  year  till  March  2017  and  then  for  another  year  till  March  2018 
based  on  the  evaluation  of  the  service  provider's  performance  vis-à-vis  the  indicators 
described  in  the  contract  (number  and  quality  of  the  deliverables;  utilisation  of  the  website; 
dissemination and promotion).  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

*ANALYTICAL REPORTS SHOULD BE READ AS FOLLOWS: 
VOLUME YEAR 1: 
VOLUME YEAR 2:    
VOLUME YEAR 3: 

1 UNIT 
2 UNITS 
2 UNITS 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 
The first year contract amounted to 279.975 € (B2014), the second year contract (1st renewal) 
to 399.450€.   

6. INDICATORS 

INDICATOR 1: NUMBER AND QUALITY OF THE DELIVERABLES 
  Quality of the developed methodology; 
  Number and quality of the produced country profiles and policy measures fact sheets; the 

baseline is 10 country profiles to be produced during the first year 

  Number,  quality  and  update  frequency  of  the  produced  fact  sheets;  the  baseline  is  20 

policy measures to be produced during the first year 
  Quality of the semi-annual comparative analytical report 
INDICATOR 2: UTILISATION OF THE WEBSITE 
  Number of hits of the webpages; 
  Number of unique visitors; 
  Number of documents downloaded by type of documents; 
  Duration of visit, repetition of visitors, geographical coverage; 
INDICATOR 3: DISSEMINATION AND PROMOTION 
  Coherence and effectiveness of the dissemination strategy; 
  Quality and completeness of the EUROPA webpages; 
  Number of the disseminated leaflets. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PWC 
CARSA 
LONDON ECONOMICS 
CBT 

GRO/SME/15/C/N132 - Follow-up actions on the Communication on 
Sustainable Competitiveness of the Construction sector. 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

tripartite  strategic  Forum 

Within  Communication  COM  (2012)  433  final  ,  the  Commission  has  proposed  an  Action 
Plan, called “Construction 2020”, to support the construction sector, that is characterised by 
many SMEs, in facing challenges today and up to 2020. The action plan focuses on five key 
objectives: 
1. stimulating favourable investment conditions; 
2. improving the human-capital basis of the construction sector; 
3. improving resource efficiency, environmental performance and business opportunities; 
4. strengthening the Internal Market for construction;  
5. fostering the global competitive position of EU construction enterprises 
Implementation  of  the  strategy  requires  streamlining  and  coordination  of  the  numerous 
initiatives currently underway at EU, national and sectoral levels to create more synergies and 
maximise their impact in the short, medium and long term. The selected framework to enable 
this  has  been  the  setting  up  of  a  governance  structure  which  combines  coordination  and 
monitoring from both a thematic and a strategic perspective, including: 
A  High-Level 
representatives). The scope of the High Level Forum is: 
- 
to  provide  an  informed  opinion  on the  scope  and  expected outcomes  from  Thematic 
Groups (see below) in accordance with the objectives of the Communication and the proposed 
Action Plan; 
- 
- 
- 
effects of the Action Plan; and 
- 
The  creation  of  thematic  groups  (TGs)  composed  of  Member  States  and  sectoral 
representatives with an interest in specific priorities of the strategy, which should liaise with 
existing European networks and projects. The scope of these groups is: 
- 
Action Plan with respect to the specific priority addressed by the Thematic Group; 
- 
- 
solutions related to legal acts and other policy instruments. 

to follow up on the recommendations of the thematic groups; 
to propose new initiatives or adjustment to existing initiatives; 
to inform about on-going national policy developments and to provide feedback on the 

to comment on the measures presented in the Action Plan; and 
to make accordingly recommendations on how to proceed with concrete proposals and 

to  map  the  construction  sector  needs  and  blockages  to  the  implementation  of  the 

to make recommendations to strengthen coordination across EU initiatives 

(Commission,  Member  States,  sectoral 

62 

 
 
 
 
These  groups  were  supervised  by  the  Commission  services  in  charge  of  the  specific  topic 
addressed by each group. Five thematic groups were launched in 2013: 
- 

Thematic Group 1:  Stimulating investment in  building  renovation,  infrastructure and 
innovation 
Thematic Group 2: Skills and Qualifications  
Thematic Group 3:  Sustainable use of Natural Resources  
Thematic Group 4: Internal Market. 
Thematic Group 5: International Competitiveness 

- 
- 
- 
- 
The final aim is to: 

Facilitate  a  more  rapid  adaptation  of  the  construction  sector  to  the  evolution  of  the 
markets through a better human capital basis; 
Promote a more rapid uptake of innovative approaches and research results; 
Create  a  coherent  policy  and  regulatory  framework  for  the  development  of  the 
enterprises  and  the  cooperation  amongst  them,  the  Internal  Market  for  construction 
products and services and industrial cooperation including with developing countries 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Provided objective background research for the benefit of developing meeting agendas 

The  implementation  of  the  before  mentioned  Service  Contract  has  contributed  to  the 
organisational support for two (2) meetings of the TGs and for one (1) of the HLF. Two (2) 
ad-hoc workshops were organised in the framework of EC wider policy areas relevant for the 
sector  (energy  and  regional  policy).  Particularly  in  the  area  of  TG3  (sustainability),  two  (2) 
ad-hoc  task  forces  have  meet  four  (4)  times.  In  the  scope  of  TG4  (Internal  Market)  2 
interventions by the Contractor to present quantitative findings took place. This makes a total 
of 11 meetings, along with more focused challenge based actions described below. There was 
an active participation of SMEs in all groups. 
In regards to the general secretarial tasks, Ecorys has brought significant added value to the 
realisation and success of the Construction 2020 Action Plan. Specifically, Ecorys: 
• 
for TG and HLF meetings and in support of discussions during these meetings; 
Provided  objective  ad-hoc  research  and  structure  to  discussions  between  EU  level 
• 
stakeholders  on  selected  topics  ranging  from  investments,  innovation,  skills,  sustainability, 
internal market and international competitiveness; 
Provided  ownership  and  initiative  in  further  developing  new  avenues  or  ideas  for 
• 
progress in certain priority areas mentioned in the Action Plan or High Level Forum meeting 
reports; 
• 
meetings as well as ad hoc workshops; 
• 
Construction 2020 Governance structure to stakeholders; 
• 
Construction 2020 in expert public and reported back to the Commission. 
As  part  of  its  contract  to  support  the  Construction  2020  Governance  structure,  the 
Commission  and  Ecorys  agreed  during  a  progress  meeting  on  18th  May  to  pro-actively 
engage in a dialogue to generate a number of ‘fresh’ ideas for Key Actions to take forward in 
the second half of 2015 and 2016, including: 

Provided  active  support  to  the  organisation  and  implementation  of  HLF  and  TG 

Supported  the  Commission  in  communicating  the  activities  and  value  added  of  the 

Attended relevant events and engaged with stakeholders and promoted activities under   

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member States initiatives relevant to Construction 2020 (an electronic file containing 

Towards a common EU Construction and Demolition waste management protocol in 

1. 
the EU (see http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-
databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8983&lang=en ); 
2. 
all relevant data has been delivered). ; 
3. 
websites (completed); 
4. 
evolving document regularly shared with stakeholders through web and direct mailing); 
5 
development of a EU digital building logbook initiative. 

Mapping  of  property  valuation  initiatives  (a  brief  report  that  contributes  to  a  future 

Guidelines  for  improving  consistency  across  MS  Product  Contact  Points  and  CPR 

Briefing note on Horizon 2020 opportunities for the construction sector (a living and 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

As the Service Contract will finish in 2016 no pending actions are foreseen. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CALL  (WHERE  RELEVANT):  CFT  N°333/PP/ENT/CIP/13/F/S03C13 
PUBLISHED ON 02/07/2013 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: FIRST CONTRACT STARTED ON 1/02/2014 (RENEWED TWICE) 
END OF THE PROJECT: DECEMBER 2016. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

A  contract  value  of  184.000  €  was  concluded  for  a  first  11  month  services  duration  from 
01.02.2013 to 31.12.2014. 
The contract was renewed with the same value twice. 
A new open call for tender was launched in 2016 for these activities. 

6. INDICATORS 

-  Number  of  sectoral  organisations  participating  in  the  initiatives:  Within  the  governance 
structure (HLF, TGs and other related groups) approximately 600 stakeholders are involved) 
-  Number  of  organised  meetings  related:  HLF:  1;  TG1:  3;  TG2:  1;  TG3:  2;  TG4:  5;  TG5: 
None 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Ecorys 

GRO/SME/15/C/N133 - Implementation of the Action Plan 
“Construction 2020”- WIOD database 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  action  aims  at  producing  Environmental  and  Labour  accounts  linked  to  a  global  Input-
Output Database (ELIOD) and consists of three main tasks: 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1)  Produce  OECD-based  global  input-output  tables  for  the  period  2010-2013  under  the 
ESA2010 methodology and NACE Rev.2/ISIC Rev. 4 classification with a link to labour and 
environmental. 
2)  Run  one  specific  analysis  based  on  the  global  input-output  tables  produced  under  this 
project  to  investigate  the  links  between  the  global  trade/production  networks  and  the 
international technology transfers (modelled, for example, by international patenting). 
3)  Provide  the  necessary  inputs  on  energy  use  by  industries  (2010-2014)  as  well  as  make 
available harmonised national supply-use tables in purchasers’ prices for all the EU countries, 
USA and Japan so that the unit energy costs indicators required by the Energy Union initiative 
can be calculated. 
The  overall  objective  is  to  collect  data  which  could  be  further  used  in  economic  models  to 
assess the impact of e.g. energy, climate and environmental policies on the competitiveness 
and sustainability of EU enterprises, which matters in particular for SMEs. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The time series 2010 – 2014 of gross energy use was built for 28 European countries, USA 
and  Japan  to  complete  the  exiting  time  series  (1995-2009).  These  preliminary  data  were 
delivered  in  December  2016  together  with  an  accompanying  report  that  illustrates  the 
necessary  steps  in  data  adjustment  between  energy  and  economic  data,  which  stem,  for 
example, from different accounting principles. Results for EU countries, USA and Japan were 
compared in various statistical analyses and with already published data. 
These data has been used by the Commission (DG ECFIN) to compute the Real Unit Energy 
Costs  in  the manufacturing  sector,  as one of the key indicators monitored under the Energy 
Union. 
The action has an impact on climate change objectives (contribution: 35%). 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  action  will  update  the  energy  accounts  and  provide  environmental  (energy  and  air 
emissions) and labour accounts linked to global input-output tables for the period 2010-2013 
under the new statistical methodology (ESA2010 methodology, NACE Rev.2 classification). 
In addition, a specific policy analysis (terms to be defined) will be carried out. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Foreseen starting date of the contract: 16/12/2015 
END of the project: 15/12/2018 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The Action is implemented through an Administrative Arrangement between DG GROW, DG 
ECFIN and the JRC. The total budget committed by the two funding DGs is 360,000€: DG 
GROW finances €210,000 through COSME funding while DG ECFIN finances €150,000 on 
its own budget. 

6. INDICATORS 
Number  of  countries  covered:  30  (all  EU  MS  +  USA  and  Japan);  target:  40.Number  of 
downloads of the database: 0 (the database has still not been publicly released); target: 200. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

JRC (transfer through an Administrative Arrangement) 

GRO/SME/15/C/N134 - Participation of DG GROW to the 2016 Marché 
International des Professionnels de l’Immobilier (MIPIM) exhibition 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  participation  to  this  fair  is  an  opportunity  for  DG  GROW  to  profile  the  role  of  the 
construction  sector  for  Europe,  where  SMEs  play  a  vital  role,  and  its  leading  position. 
GROW’s  presence  is  ensuring  a  follow-up  to  the  2012  Communication  on  “Sustainable 
Competitiveness of the Construction Sector”.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Impact  of  the  Commission  policy  initiatives  was  ensured  through  the  organisation  and 
participation  to  several  high  level  conferences  related  to  investment,  growth  and  jobs.  The 
organisation of specific stand events allowed for presentation and dissemination of concrete 
Service actions (digitisation-BIM, servitisation-Service Passport, among others).Many SMEs 
visited the stand and/or contributed to and participated at the events.  
ARTICLE 15 OF COSME REGULATION:  “INFORMATION ON THE AMOUNT OF CLIMATE-RELATED 
EXPENDITURE AND IMPACT OF SUPPORT TO CLIMATE-CHANGE OBJECTIVES”.  
Yes,  one  of  the  high  level  conferences  was  specifically  focusing  on  the  resource  efficiency 
opportunities in the building sector (COM(2014) 445 final) called High level conference on 
Achieving <2 degrees Celsius: How can the real estate industry respond to meet new climate 
change pledges? (DG GROW co-chef de file). 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

No actions remain to be implemented. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT):NOT APPLICABLE 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 14 MARCH 2015  
END OF THE PROJECT: 18 MARCH 2015 
Negotiated procedure via purchase order 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

16.000 € committed to pay promotional material, entrance tickets and catering. 

6. INDICATORS 

2 High level conferences (approx.400 participants) 
1 Symposium (approx. 40 participants). 
7 stand events (approx. 105 participants) 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taking into consideration that an approx. of 28.500 participants visited the exhibition this is a 
high impact rate and improves by far the previous participations by DG GROW. 
The  overall  communication  strategy  has  proven  effective;  especially  the  social  media 
dimension used first this year has allowed interacting with a great number of participants, in 
and out of the exhibition, achieving almost 3.000 views 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

ReedMidem  
Triple A  
Carle Organisation  

GRO/SME/15/C/N141 - BIO-BASED PRODUCT MARKETS  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  "European  Sustainable  Chemicals  Support  Service"  (ESCSS)  is  an  eighteen  month 
project  commissioned  by  EASME  to  provide  advisory  services  to  a  number  of  regional 
organisations  interested  in  developing  ambitious  strategies  with  the  aim  to  improve  the 
investment  readiness  in  their  region  and  to  engage  them  in  more  sustainable  chemicals 
production. 
The project has covered the following milestones: 
-the implementation and operation of a user friendly online survey tool capable to assess the 
investment readiness level of a region, 
-the development of a set of 12 reports presenting good practices examples able to motivate 
and inspire the reader to develop and improve regional strategies, 
-the  advice  to  Six  Model  Demonstrator  Regions  selected  by  the  DG  GROW:  Andalusia, 
Scotland, Wallonia, Groningen-Drenthe, Kosice and Southern Ireland, 
-the integration in the DG GROW web portal of a page ready to house the Self-Assessment 
Tool  (SAT)  to  be  used  by  EU  regions  in  order  to  measure  their  readiness  to  attract 
investments in sustainable chemicals. 
-and  it  will  disseminate  the  results  and  lesson  learnt  in  a  final  Conference  to  be  held  in 
Brussels the 14th of September 2017.   
This project is contributing to EC initiatives as the European Investment Plan and the Circular 
Economy Package. 
The results will contribute to EC objectives as: low carbon economy, resource efficiency and 
protection of the environment. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The project is addressed to EU regions to attract investments in the production of sustainable 
chemicals.  Sustainable  chemicals  are  produced  from  feedstocks  such  as  organic  residues, 
biomass  or  plastic  waste  that  are  alternative  to  oil  and  natural  gas.  Furthermore  to  process 
those feedstocks require less energy intensity industrial process than oil and natural gas. The 
result is a contribution to a lower carbon emissions.     

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016/2017? 

The Project is in its final steps. The SAT is being installed in the DG GROW web page and 
the final conference is being organised to be held in Brussels the 14th of September 2017.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 05/08/2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 28/12/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 18/06/2017 
EXTENSION OF THE PROJECT 18/09/2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

budget  available  as  per  the  work  programme  (500.000  EUR),  budget  finally  committed 
(438.750 EUR). 
3 offers received 

6. INDICATORS 

Number of users of the self-assessment tool on the "bioeconomy readiness" and the impact of 
the  policy  recommendations  to  the  model  demonstrator  regions  and  other  regions  to  be 
reported in the next months. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Consortium Fundación CIRCE/European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and PNO Groep 
B.V. 

GRO/SME/15/C/N142 - BIO-BASED PRODUCT MARKETS 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective is the development of a robust and user-friendly guidance that should address 
bio-based  products  in  public  procurement,  encouraging  the  active  change  of  information  on 
bio-based  products  (availability  and  capabilities)  including  experiences  of  public  procurers, 
allow  for  procurement  criteria  development  based  on  available  standards  and  finally 
facilitating the up-take of bio-based products. Moreover, different publication materials such 
as  brochures  and  leaflets  shall  be  prepared  to  further  promote  the  dissemination  of  the 
prepared guidance document at different event types including training meetings, workshops 
and conferences for different target audiences. The aim would be to obtain a successful uptake 
of this guidance by as many as possible national, regional and local procurement bodies. This 
activity  was  linked  to  the  Commission  Lead  Market  Initiative  and  is  also  linked  to  the  bio-
based products activities within the Commission Circular Economy Action Plan published at 
the end of 2015. 
The main milestones include: 
• 
• 
materials. 

An inception report setting out the methodology and time schedule for the work. 
Interim  report,  the  draft  guidance  document  and  draft  version  of  the  publication 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

The final guidance and all publication materials.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

 The  overall  goals  of  the  project  are  the  following.  First,  the  knowledge  base  needs  to  be 
prepared by collating and compiling all relevant information from different sources useful for 
the preparation of robust and user-friendly guidance. This shall be performed on the basis of 
literary, questionnaire and web-sites review and interviews. These findings were documented 
in a Knowledge Base Report dated 13/01/2017. In a second step an initial draft version of the 
guidance was be prepared allowing for testing its robustness, user-friendliness and subsequent 
future use by a limited number of national, regional and local public procurers. The guidance 
and fact sheets have been prepared and are currently being tested by public procurers at local 
and  regional  level.  This  guidance  draws  on  the  broader  objectives  of  the  relevant  European 
Policy  Framework,  such  as  the  ‘Circular  Economy  Package’,  ‘Bioeconomy  Strategy’  and 
‘Innovation Procurement’.  
In the fourth and final step different publication materials such as brochures and leaflets shall 
be prepared for allowing for further promotion and dissemination of the guidance at different 
event  types  including  training  meetings,  workshops  and  conferences  for  different  target 
audiences.  The  aim  would  be  to  obtain  a  successful  uptake  of  this  guidance  by  as  many  as 
possible  national,  regional  and  local  procurement  bodies.  The  dissemination  materials  are 
complete  and  are  currently  being  reviewed  by  the  steering  committee  and  tested  by  public 
procurers. 
More information on: 
 http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8389 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  steering  committee  will  meet  to  discuss  all  the  final  deliverables,  including  comments 
from various DGs and from the initial screening phase with public procurers. If, as a result of 
this initial screening, problems persist necessary updating will be performed. 
The final step is to implement the dissemination strategy to make the guidance and materials 
broadly  available  to  EU  public  procurers.  Dissemination  will  be  implemented  via 
international networks, including the ICLEI/ European Commission Innovation Procurement 
Platform,  and  national  and  regional  networks  where  available.  All  of  this  is  set  out  in  the 
dissemination strategy.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL: 04/04/2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 29/10/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 31/07/2017  

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget available as per the work programme (125.000 EUR), and budget finally committed 
(115.560 EUR) 
5 offers received 

6. INDICATORS 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Successful  uptake  of  the  guidance  material  on  biobased  products  by  a  large  number  of 
national, regional and local procurement bodies. Number of users of the guidance document: 
The  guidance  has  already  been  tested  with  a  number  of  procurers  as  part  of  the  screening 
phase.  Dissemination  is  due  to  commence  shortly,  at  which  point  the  impact  may  be 
measured. 
From  the  point  of  view  of  implementation,  the  contractors  have  worked  well,  in  regular 
contact with EASME and DG GROW. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Haskoning DHV Nederland B.V. 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
D. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE 

The fourth specific objective of COSME is “to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial 
culture” described in Article 12 of the COSME Regulation. 

In 2015, there will be up to 4 actions to be financed under this specific objective with a budget 
of more than EUR9 million. 

GRO/SME/15/D/N01 - ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Erasmus  for  Young  Entrepreneurs  is  a  mobility  scheme  that  allows  potential  or  newly 
established  entrepreneurs  to  spend  a  period  of  time  collaborating  with  an  experienced 
entrepreneur in another COSME participating country.  
These mobility actions aim to help the entrepreneurs enrich their experiences as well as learn 
and network with entrepreneurs in other participating countries. This measure will expand and 
strengthen the existing network of Intermediary Organisations (IO) which acts as local contact 
points  in  participating  countries.  The  IOs  are  in  charge  of  recruiting  and  matching  the 
entrepreneurs and facilitating the mobility actions. They also promote the programme and its 
benefits at local and national level.  
This measure is a follow-up of the preparatory action carried out in 2009-2011 and under the 
EIP objective Entrepreneurship and Innovation Culture in 2012 and 2013. 
The interim evaluation of the preparatory action has confirmed the added value of this action 
and  the  lack  of  similar  schemes  at  national  level.  It  also  confirms  the  efficiency  of  the 
operational set up to fulfil the pursued objectives and the quality of the exchanges carried out. 
The cross-border nature of the action makes it unique as a way of promoting entrepreneurship 
and is directly relevant to a key EU policy objective of internationalisation and helping new 
and growing businesses to take advantage of the EU’s Internal Market. 
The initiative is implemented via Call for Proposals (2015 – cycle 8 call). Organisations have 
to  apply  as  consortia  composed  of  at  least  5  entities  from  at  least  4  participating  countries. 
Entities can be public or private entities whose core activity is in the field of business support. 
The submitted proposals are evaluated by external evaluators.  
The rate of Union co-financing is up to 90 % of eligible costs incurred by the Intermediary 
Organizations. The contribution shall not exceed 75 % of the programme management costs 
but may be up to 100 % of the sum allocated by beneficiaries (Intermediary Organizations) to 
third parties (sub-grantee. i.e. new entrepreneurs) participating in a mobility action. Financial 
assistance to new entrepreneurs participating in a mobility action takes the form of a scale of 
unit cost of maximum EUR 6,600 per entrepreneur within the limit of EUR 500 000 per grant. 
Promotion  of  the  benefits  and  achievements  of  the  Erasmus  for  Young  entrepreneurs  and 
technical  support  to  users  is  provided  by  the  Support  Office  that  further  assists  the 
EASME/Commission in the promotion, the coordination of the IOs' network, monitoring and 
the  day-to-day  support.  Activities  to  support  the  network  are  carried  out,  including  regular 
meetings with the IOs to foster networking. 
This activity is implemented by a Service contract awarded to the “Support Office”. 
Both the management of the grants and the service contract has been delegated to the EASME 
in 2014. 

71 

 
 
 
 
2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

A) Cycle 7 call for proposals (implementation 1/2/2015-31/1/2017) 
15 projects with the total budget of EUR 6 571 464 are being co-financed. It is expected that 
with  these  projects  about  2,200  new  and  host  entrepreneurs  would  be  involved  (matched). 
These projects ended on 31 January 2017. The total number of entrepreneurs matched by the 
111  IOs  under  this  cycle  is  1700  (completed  relationships).  Despite  the  fact  that  review 
meetings organised in Spring 2016 have helped a number of projects to improve performance, 
not all projects have reached the set targets. The assessment of the final reports is on-going 
and it is expected that most of the projects will be paid the balance throughout summer 2017.  

B) Cycle 8 call for proposals (implementation 01/02/2016 – 31/01/2018) 
The  call  for  proposals  was  published  in  March  2015  and  the  deadline  for  submitting  the 
applications was 3 June 2015. The evaluation of the proposals was done with the assistance of 
external  experts.  33  proposals,  out  of  105  received  (including  14  ineligible),  requesting  the 
total  grant  amount  of  14  599  201  EUR  (before  corrections  applied)  successfully  passed  the 
threshold  of  evaluation.  Due  to  limited  financial  resources 17  proposals  requesting  the  total 
grant amount of 7 797 047 EUR are co-financed, each having a project duration of 24 months 
(01/02/2016 – 31/01/2018).  
It  is  expected  that  with  these  projects  about  2  500  new  and  host  entrepreneurs  would  be 
involved (matched).  
Series  of  review  meetings  for  a  number  of  projects  tool  place  during  spring  2017.  The  3rd 
progress  reports  are  expected  to  be  submitted  in  August  2017.  The  global  impact  will  be 
known only at the end of the implementation period, after January 2018. 

C) Support Office – Call for Tender  
The  key  role  of  the  Support  Office  is  to  assist  and  support  EASME  and  the  European 
Commission in the management of the EYE Programme and to contribute to promotion and 
communication  activities.  The  Support  Office  coordinates  the  activities  of  the  European 
Partnerships (EPs) and Intermediary Organisations (IOs) of the EYE Programme. 
The 2015-2017 contract with the Support Office ended in April 2017. Since 1 May 2017 the 
same  contractor  (Eurochambres)  continues  operating  as  EYE  Support  Office  (following  an 
open  procurement  procedure  launched  under  the  WP  2016)  for  a  period  of  24  months  until 
end of April 2019 for EUR 659 940 (possibility of contract renewal for another 2 years).   
An Interim Report is due in May 2018. The final report is due at the end of April 2019. 

3. INDICATORS 

At this stage of implementation, partial data is available on some indicators. Other indicators 
could be measured only after the end of the implementation period after evaluating the final 
results of the actions:  
1520 established relationships under cycle 8 by mid-June 2017; 
176 intermediary organisations involved in the implementation of the programme;  
31  (26  EU  member  states  +  Albania,  Montenegro,  Iceland,  Serbia,  Turkey)  countries  are 
covered by the Intermediary Organisations.  

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The beneficiaries include the following groups of legal entities (non-exhaustive list): 
Public entities responsible for or active in the fields of economic affairs, enterprise, business 
support or related issues, 
Chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of handicrafts or similar bodies, 
Business support organisations, start-up centres and incubators, 
Business associations and business support networks, 
Public and private entities offering business support services. 

GRO/SME/15/D/N02 - Creation of a European wide e-platform for 
women entrepreneurship 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Creation  of  a  Europe-wide  e-platform  for  women  entrepreneurship.  This  Platform  will  be  a 
one-stop shop for women of all ages who want to start, run and grow a business, by providing 
educational,  mentoring,  advisory  and  business  networking  opportunities  for  women  across 
Europe.  It  will  also  allow  for  exchange  of  good  practices.  The  platform  will  bring  together 
tools,  local,  national  and  European  stakeholders  and  peer  groups  to  support  the  new 
generations of women who use internet and IT technologies daily.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The platform was launched on 30 September 2016. It is regularly enriched by new 
information, links to national support organisations, events or success stories. As of June 
2017, 486 users had registered in the e-platform. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 

Maintenance,  animation  and  update  of  the  e-platform  for  2016-2017,  with  the  active 
participation of stakeholders. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALLS: 8 MAY 2015 AND 4 NOVEMBER 2016 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACTS: 25 NOVEMBER 2015 AND 21 DECEMBER 2016 
END OF THE PROJECTS:  24 NOVEMBER 2016 AND 20 JUNE 2019 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Available budget:  
- ESN/EVERIS contract: 845 948€ 
- ICF Mostra contract: 399 930€ 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

-Timely creation and update of the e-platform.  
-Feedback and degree of satisfaction of the users. 
-Number of hits and time spent at the site 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Contractors : first ESN/ EVERIS, then.ICF Mostra 

GRO/SME/15/D/N03: Digital Entrepreneurship (awareness raising 
campaign) and digital transformation of enterprises  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Awareness raising campaign for the modernisation of Europe's industry 
This  action  is  the  continuation  and  further  development  of  the  pan-European  awareness 
campaign WATIFY launched in 2014 (CIP 2013 action).  
The  renewed  campaign  will  continue  to  support  the  implementation  of  the  EC  actions  on 
digital  entrepreneurship,  and  digital  transformation  of  industry  and  enterprises,  in  particular 
SMEs,  as  well  as  the  implementation  of  the  European  strategy  to  boost  the  industrial 
deployment of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) in Europe. 
To  this  end  it  will  expand  and  re-focus  the  WATIFY  campaign.  The  new  campaign  will 
specifically  target  SMEs,  notably  in  manufacturing,  healthcare,  finance  and  creative 
industries,  that  can  drive  economic  and/or  social  value  by  creating  and  using  novel  digital 
technologies. As a new element, the campaign will also address Europe's regions, i.e. policy 
makers, to support them in translating their Smart Specialisation Strategies in the area of Key 
Enabling Technologies and digital transformation into concrete projects in close cooperation 
with industry and enterprises. 
The  tools  used  by  the  campaign  will  include  European  and  regional  awareness  and 
communication  events,  cross-regional  matchmaking  events  on  KETs  and  digital 
transformation,  videos  of  success  stories,  a  European  website  and  extensive  promotion  via 
social media and printed promotional materials. 
The campaign and foreseen activities are in line with the Political Guidelines of the Juncker  
Commission, notably: 
A Connected Digital  Single Market:   "….This should go hand-in-hand with  efforts to  boost 
digital skills and learning across society and to facilitate the creation of innovative start-ups. 
Enhancing  the  use  of  digital  technologies  and  online  services  should  become  a  horizontal 
policy, covering all sectors of the economy and of the public sector", and 
A  Deeper  and  Fairer  Internal  Market  with  a  Strengthened  Industrial  Base:  "…This  should 
ensure  that  Europe  maintains  its  global  leadership  in  strategic  sectors  with  high-value  jobs 
…..  To  achieve  this,  we  need  to  stimulate  investment  in  new  technologies,  improve  the 
business  environment,  ease  access  to  markets  and  to  finance,  particularly  for  SMEs,  and 
ensure that workers have the skills industry needs." 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The call for tenders (EASME/COSME/2015/030) was published on 22 December 2015 with a 
submission deadline of 29 February 2016. The final meeting of the evaluation committee took 
place on 28 April 2016. The award decision was taken on 1 June 2016. The award letter to the 
successful tenderer was sent on 28 June 2016. 
The contract was signed on 13 July 2016. The kick-off meeting with the contractor took place 
on 7 September 2016 in order for the launch conference to be organised in December and the 
other  activities  under  the  contract  to  start  in  the  autumn  of  2016.  The  contract  runs  for  24 
months. 
Deliverables provided in 2016: 
Analysis  of  the  primary  target  groups  /  Expert  workshop  /  Redesigned  methodology  and 
roadmap 
Launch event on 7 December 2016 
First progress report covering the first 6-month period of the contract 
Monthly project meetings 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Preparation  and  implementation  of  concept  for  matchmaking  events;  media  strategy,  in 
particular social media presence; promotional materials 
Organisation  of  240  awareness  and  communication  events,  including  online  events  and  12 
European flagship events; 40 cross-regional matchmaking events and a final event 
Preparation of 100 technological transformation case studies, including in video format  
Reviewed, redesigned and re-launched website and online guide for doing business online on 
Europa  
Tools and mechanisms to measure and analyse the level of satisfaction of all stakeholders 
Satisfaction surveys for participants of individual events/overall satisfaction survey  
Monthly flash reports / two 6-monthly progress reports / final report / project  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 22 DECEMBER 2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: JUNE 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT: JULY 2018 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The  budget  available  for  the call  for  tenders  was  €2.3  million.  Five  offers  were  received  of 
which one has been chosen to be awarded the contract.  

6. INDICATORS 

The  indicators  are  directly  linked  to  the  implementation  of,  and  performance  under  the 
contract, so it will only be possible to report on them at the end of the contract. 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Contractor: 
Consortium led by GOPA Com. 
And Consultores de Automatización y Robótica S.A. – CARSA 
And Technopolis Group Belgium 
And ATOS Spain  
And Brainport Development N.V. 
And Association européenne des agences de développement – EURADA 
Represented by GOPA Com. for the purpose of the signature of the contract  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACTIONS FROM WORK PROGRAMME 2014 

GRO/SME/14/B/N10: Facilitating access to light RPAS[1] regulation 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
Light RPAS are today regulated at national level. A number of Member States have already 
regulation in place. Other Member States are developing it and later on, a European regulation 
may enter into force.  
This  situation  leads  to  a  lack  of  awareness  about  safety  regulations  by  SMEs  wishing  to 
operate business in other European countries. The difficulty to access the relevant regulation 
is often such that the SMEs prefer to operate outside Europe. 
The measure should develop the tools (such as handbook, tutorials, advice service, web portal, 
etc.)  deemed  necessary  to  provide  an  easy  access  to  all  information  relevant  to  RPAS 
operations in the 28 EU countries.  
It  will  be  adapted  to  light  RPAS  operators  which  are  mainly  operated  by  SMEs  and 
entrepreneurs with limited aviation background. The measure will not only cover national and 
European safety regulation, but also provide information related to other important issues like 
privacy and data protection or insurance requirements. It will also provide information about 
the evolution of the regulation. 
The call COS-WP2014-2-10 was postponed towards the end of 2014 in order to be better in 
line  with  the  on-going  regulatory  developments.  Proposals  now  have  been  evaluated,  the 
selection procedure is completed and the contract was signed end of September 2015. 
The initial budget of € 1 million has been fully committed. 

2. WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015-2016? 

The project was kicked-off upon signature of the contract at the end of September 2015. In 
2016, a first release of the DroneRules.EU web portal (http://dronerules.eu/en/) has been put 
on-line and periodically updated with new services (e.g. codes of conduct, privacy and safety 
handbooks,  cases  studies,  Insurance  decision  tree,  videos,  tutorials,  national  information 
sources).  The  section  devoted  to  recreational  users  has  been  completed  first.  The  section 
devoted to professional users will be completed in the course of 2017. Training sessions will 
then be organized. Full impact of the project will only be achieved after the completion of the 
website in 2017 and the launch of extensive promotion campaigns. Only limited impact was 
reported by end 2016 (1900 website unique views). The project experienced the bankruptcy of 
one partner which created some delays and will require a prolongation until end 2017. 

3. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Starting date of the contract: 1st October 2015 
End of the project: 30 September 2017  

[1] Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
GRO/SME/14/B/N05 IPR SME Helpdesks 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The South-East Asia, China and Latin America IPR SME Helpdesks (former ASEAN, China 
and  MERCOSUR  IPR  SME  Helpdesks)  offer  practical  business  advice  from  experienced 
professionals (lawyers, business executives, IPR investigators) in person, on-line, and through 
workshops, e-learning materials, and training.  

The services cover countries and regions, with focus on high-growth markets where there are 
particular IPR problems of importance to European SMEs. The services are provided both 'on 
the  ground'  to  European  SMEs  already  'in  country'  and  'at  home'  in  Europe,  so  that  the 
relevant information on IPR in the regions can be delivered where it is most useful / needed 
most, to serve European SMEs efficiently and effectively.  

The  services  are  offered  in  co-ordination  with  and  in  direct  response  to  requests  from 
European  SMEs  and  their  representatives.  Services  are  co-ordinated  also  with  relevant  EU 
Member  States  SME  support  and  trade  representations.  The  Helpdesks  offer  services  that 
could not be easily provided individually by each Member State and allow to pool expertise to 
be available to any EU SME. Such economies of scale also enable to customise the training or 
advice  to  specific  sectors  or  business  models.  The  service  will  also  avoid  duplication  of 
technical contacts with the relevant countries administrations to ‘signpost’ SMEs.  

The  Impact  Assessment  surveys  (further  detailed  below  in  section  "RESULTS  AND 
IMPACT")  show  that  respondents  appreciate  the  services  provided  by  the  three  Helpdesks 
and are able to provide us with an estimation of the impact of the services in terms of time 
and/or money savings. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

In 2016, the helpdesks are fully operational and clearly operating at a level within (in some 
cases, such as inquiries, even above) the yearly targets. 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
To trace evidence of the effects of the IPR Helpdesks’ services in SMEs and assess the impact 
of  the  services  provided  by  the  EC  IPR-Helpdesks  regarding  increased  know-how  of  the 
usage and enforcement of the IP system and the IP rights, Impact Assessment surveys were 
carried out in 2015/16 as a joint exercise among the 3 International IPR SME Helpdesks The 
main findings can be summarised as follows: 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The answers to the actions-taken query reflect that the way of operating differs from region to 
region: 
As per the actions before National IP Offices (NIPOs) both Latin America and China show a 
more proactive trend in registration in the region, a 33% of the respondents in such regions 
have proceed to register their IPRs in one or more of the countries concerned. In South-East 
Asia  such  percentage  falls  to  a  10%.  Such  trend  implies  that  investments  to  protect  IPR  in 
China and Latin America made by the respondents are higher. A key feature to be assessed by 
future?  interviews  is  to  analyse  whether  such  registrations  are  defensive  –  i.e.  aimed  at 
stopping infringing products in their very origin- or are focused in selling their IPR protected 
products and services in each region. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
up  to  a  13%  of  interviewees  in  Latin  America  have  proceed  to  oppose  or  request  the 
cancellation of a third party IPR that actually or potentially conflicts with their IPRs, which 
shows  that  SMEs  operating  in  Latin  America  are  interested  in  ensuring  their  freedom-to-
operate, defending their own IPRs, and ensuring legal certainty prior and while trading in the 
region. 
At  first  sight  enforcement  issues  does  not  appear  as  a  huge  priority  for  the three  Helpdesks 
(between  7%-CN and  13%-LA), or  only  shows a  lack of trust  on IP enforcement  system in 
third countries. In any event, the Helpdesks’ role in enforcement is very limited: enforcement 
actions are usually constrained by short deadlines, therefore SMEs are very likely to directly 
contact an IP lawyer instead of relying on a first-line advice. In addition, the Helpdesk are not 
allowed  to  represent  SMEs  before  authorities  neither  draft  seizure  requests,  claims  or  other 
relevant writings. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The helpdesks will operate until mid-2018 under the current agreements in place. Operations 
beyond 2018 are planned. They all aim at increasing the number of users, continue to expand 
the cooperation with organisations that work directly with SMEs.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

The Call for tender was published in June 2014, and the Grants signature in February 2015 for 
China, April 2015 for South East Asia and July 2015 for Latin America.  
The projects will operate until mid-2018.  

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The budget of EUR 7.2 million was fully committed and split in:  
EUR 2.6 million for the South East Asia IPR SME Helpdesk;  
EUR 2.4 million for the China IPR SME Helpdesk;  
EUR 2 million (for 30 months) for the Latin America IPR SME Helpdesk;  
EUR 0.2 million for the common website operations.  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

South-East Asia  -  Development  solutions  ltd.  (lead),  Euro-Cham  Vietnam,  TEBA  (Thai-EU 
Business Association), EBN.  
China - Development solutions ltd. (lead), EU Chamber of Commerce in China, EBN.  
Latin  America  -  Universidad  de  Alicante  (lead),  EUROCHAMBRES,  Instituto  Nacional  da 
Propriedade  Industrial  (INPI-PT),  Instituto  Tecnologico  y  de  Estudios  Superiores  de 
Monterrey, EUROCHILE, Instituto Nacional De Propiedad Industrial (INAPI), IDS-Instituto 
Dannemann Siemsen.  

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
GRO/SME/14/C/N03 & GRO/SME/15/C/N08 Cluster 
Internationalisation programme for SMEs 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
The  programme  focusses  on  the  promotion  of  cluster  internationalisation  where  interested 
consortia  have  the  opportunity  to  develop  a  joint  international  strategy  and  support  SME 
internationalisation beyond Europe, especially in emerging thematic areas. It also contributes 
to facilitate international cluster cooperation through the further development of the European 
Cluster Collaboration Platform. 
The measure envisages the following actions: 

Action 1. Cluster Go International 
Strand  1)  Supporting  preparatory  actions  for  the  establishment  of  new  European  Strategic 
Cluster Partnerships (ESCPs).  
The  ESCPs  are  composed  of  cluster  and  business  network  organisations  from  EU  Member 
States  and  COSME  participating  countries.  They  develop  and  implement  a  joint  strategy  to 
promote  cross-sectorial  cooperation  and  to  facilitate  SME  internationalisation  in  emerging 
industries,  thereby  supporting  growth  and  employment  in  Europe.  The  partnerships  are 
expected to develop a joint ‘European’ strategic vision with a global perspective and common 
goals towards specific third markets. This could include support services for the identification 
of  strategic  partners  across  Europe,  development  of  a  legal  representation,  preparation  of  a 
joint branding and marketing strategy and a roadmap for cooperation. 
Strand 2) Supporting the further development and running of established European Strategic 
Cluster Partnerships  
This  could  include  further  preparatory  actions  such  as  tailored  analysis  and  fact-finding 
missions or assistance for opening of a joint office abroad, operational actions involving the 
cluster  SMEs  such  as  the  organisation  of  international  cluster  matchmaking  missions  and 
follow-up  actions  providing  assistance  for  the  preparation  of  joint  business  and  cooperation 
plans proposals. 

Action 2. Support for international cluster and business network cooperation and promotion of 
European  Strategic  Cluster  Partnerships  through  the  further  development  of  the  European 
Cluster Collaboration Platform. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT  

No results or impact in 2014 as the call for proposals for Action 1 and the call for tenders for 
Action  2  were  published  in  December  2014.  Twenty-nine  proposals  were  received  and  12 
were awarded. 
Action 1. Cluster Go International 
One Call for proposals was published in 2016 on strands 1 and 2 as above, including strand 
1.b  for  applications  supporting  preparatory  actions  in  the  field  of  Earth  Observation 
applications. It is expected to fund two proposals for Strand 1.b, nine proposals for Strand 1.a 
and eight proposals for Strand 2 with starting date as of November-December 2017. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strand  1)  Supporting  preparatory  actions  for  the  establishment  of  new  European  Strategic 
Cluster Partnerships (ESCPs).  
As many as 9 ESCPs have been launched and started out activity on January 2016 regrouping 
57  clusters  across  18  COSME-participating  countries.  First  interim  reports  have  been 
produced. Action will run during the period 2016/17. 
Strand 2) Supporting the further development and running of established European Strategic 
Cluster Partnerships 
As many as 6 ESCPs have been launched and started out activity on January 2016 regrouping 
41  clusters  across  14  COSME-participating  countries.  First  interim  reports  have  been 
produced. Action will run during the period 2016/17. 

INDICATORS ACTION 115 

Strand 1  Strand 2  Total 
96 
50 

146 

Strand 1 and Strand 2 
 Cluster  organisations  and  business  networks  having 
benefited from the supported actions 
Partnership Agreements resulting from the supported actions  33 
62 
Events  (workshops/  matchmaking  events/  working  group 
meetings) organised 
SMEs  having  directly  or  indirectly  benefited  from  the 
supported actions, resulting in cooperation projects 
Increase in the percentage of the turnover from international 
activities,  and  employment  in  Europe,  of  the  SMEs  having 
benefited directly and indirectly from the supported actions, 
as measured through a survey by the end of the action 
Impact  from  the  supported  actions  in  terms  of  number, 
volume  (amount/funding  M  €)  of  resulting  cooperation 
projects  between  the  Partnerships  and  international  cluster 
and  business  network  partners  for  the  benefit  of  European 
SMEs 

1,114 

N/A 

2 
(2.5 M €) 

14 
43 

47 
105 

227 

1,341 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

2 
(2.5  M 
€) 

Action 2. Support for international cluster and business network cooperation and promotion of 
European  Strategic  Cluster  Partnerships  through  the  further  development  of  the  European 
Cluster Collaboration Platform 
The  European  Cluster  Collaboration  Platform  was  made  operational  with  its  main 
functionalities running and 107 133 page views, 19 196 users, 33 484 sessions as of between 
the  15th  of  December  2016  and  the  20th  of  March  2017.  Functionalities  available  include 
clusters  profiling  and  mapping    (632  cluster  organisations and  business  networks  as  of  July 
2017), news items including events, call and tweeter corner, partners' search tool, profiling of 
COSME-supported  15  European  Strategic  Cluster  Partnerships  Going  International  plus  10 
voluntary  ones,  cluster  3rd-countries  landscapes,  other  European  cluster  initiatives,  national 
cluster associations, testimonials and achievements, open community page.  

15 Data as of December 2016 

84 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
As  many  as  eight  international  and  EU-only  cluster  matchmaking  events  were  organised  to 
support  international  and  intra-EU  cluster  cooperation  for  the  benefit  of  SMEs  with  USA, 
Iran, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan. 
As  many  as  four  cluster  landscape  reports  were  produced  in  key  clusters-relevant  3rd-
countries:  Mexico,  China,  Brazil,  and  India,  identifying  industrial  domains  for  cooperation 
and  mapping  out  clusters,  assessment  of  clusters  policy  and  programmes  and 
recommendations.  

INDICATORS ACTION 216 

Action 2 

Work-
package 1 
ECCP 
Website17 

Work-package 
2 
Matchmaking 
events 

630 

249 

Work-
package 3 
Reports 
on 
Strategic 
Countries 
N/A 

10 

Total 

63018 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Cluster  organisations 
and business networks 
having  benefited  from 
the supported actions 
Partnership 
Agreements  resulting 
from 
the  supported 
actions 
Events 

(workshops/  N/A 

819 

N/A 

8 

IN  THE  FIELD  OF  ADVANCED  MANUFACTURING, 

16 Data as of December 2016 
17 Selected indicators: 107 133 page views, 19 196 users, 33 484 sessions. 10 MOST COUNTRY VISITORS; 
NR. AND % FOR THE TOTAL COUNTRIES: SPAIN: 3 670 (11 %); ITALY: 2 721 (8%); FRANCE: 2 674 
(8%);  BELGIUM:  2  444  (7%);  GERMANY:  2  181  (6  %);  CHINA:  1  605  (5  %);  ROMANIA:  1  156  (3  %); 
UNITED KINGDOM: 1 147 (3 %); POLAND: 1 135 (3 %); INDIA: 1 038 (3 %) 
18 Of which 249 supported to attend matchmaking events. 
19  6  INTERNATIONAL,  2  INTRA-EU:  EU-USA:  HANNOVER,  GERMANY,  25-26  APRIL  2016,  AT 
HANNOVER  MESSE, 
INDUSTRIAL 
AUTOMATION,  ENVIRONMENTAL  TECHNOLOGY  //  EU-IRAN:  TEHRAN,  17-19  OCT.  2016,  IN 
CONNECTION  WITH  EU  ECONOMIC  MISSION  LED  BY  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMISSIONER 
BIENKOWSKA  IN  THE  FIELDS  OF  AUTOMOTIVE  AND  MOBILITY,  TOURISM  AND  SPORTS, 
TEXTILE,  BIOTECH  AND  GREEN  TECH  //  EU-MEXICO:  MEXICO  CITY,  25-27  OCTOBER  2016,  AT 
GREEN  EXPO  TRADE  FAIR  IN  THE  FIELDS  OF  RENEWABLE  ENERGY,  ENERGY  EFFICIENCY, 
WASTE  MANAGEMENT,  WASTEWATER  MANAGEMENT  //  EU-BRAZIL:  LYON,  FRANCE,  28-30 
NOVEMBER  2016  AT  POLLUTEC  FAIR  WITH  THE  PARTICIPATION  OF  35  EU  CLUSTERS    AND 
BRAZIL  ORGANISATIONS  IN  THE  FIELD  OF  GREEN  TECHNOLOGIES  //  INTRA-EU:  All  FIELDS, 
BRUSSELS,  BELGIUM,  30  NOVEMBER  2016  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  EUROPEAN  CLUSTER 
CONFERENCE  2016  //  EU-USA:  May  15-19th  2017  during  the  TechConnect  World  Innovation  Conference, 
Washington  DC,  in  cooperation  with  the  U.S.  Department  of  Commerce,  in  the  field  of  Nanotechnologies, 
Advanced  Materials,  Biotechnology  &  Medical,  Advanced  Manufacturing  and  Processing,  Energy  and 
Sustainability,  Electronics  &  Microsystems,  Personal  &  Home  Care,  Cosmetics,  Foods  //  INTRA-EU: 
AEROSPACE, Paris, during  Le Bourget Expo, 22nd of June 2017  // EU-TAIWAN: Brussels, Belgium, 26th – 
27th of June 2017, in the fields of Smart Industry, Circular Economy and 5G -5th Generation Wireless Systems. 
An average of 15 COSME participating countries clusters have attended each of the events. Some 1674 one-to-
one meetings took place in all events compounded. 

85 

 
 
 
                                                            
 
 
matchmaking  events/ 
working 
group 
meetings) organised 

3. WHAT REMAINSS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 
Action 1: The selection of proposals and signature of grant agreements were finalised in the 
3rd and 4th quarters 2015 and the selected projects will then implement their activities over a 
24-month period during 2016-2017. 
Completion of Clusters go International projects in strand 1 and strand 2.  
Action 2: The selection of the service provider and signature of service contract was finalised 
in 3rd quarter 2015 and the action will be implemented over a 24-month period during 2015-
2017. 
Matchmaking event planned in Thessaloniki, Greece 
Information on cluster landscape in strategic third countries: 6 countries 

4. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Combined budget of EUR 3.75 million + EUR 0.650 million (from 2014 budget carryovers) 
available for Action 1.  
Budget of EUR 1.25 million for Action 2 

GRO/SME/14/C/N02: E-SKILLS FOR COMPETITIVENESS AND 
INNOVATION  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  objectives  of  this  cross-sectorial  measure  are  to  promote  e-skills  and  e-leadership  for 
competitiveness  and  innovation  and  to  increase  significantly  the  talent  pool  of  technology 
savvy  entrepreneurs,  managers,  advanced  users  and  business  savvy  ICT  practitioners  in  all 
sectors.  The  needs  go  beyond  ICT  skills  and  also  include  leadership,  entrepreneurship, 
management etc., as presented at the conference on “e-Skills and Education for Digital Jobs” 
on  March  2013  in  Brussels  at  which  the  "Grand  Coalition  for  Digital  Jobs"  was  launched. 
These  objectives  are  part  of  the  implementation  of  the  long  term  EU  e-skills  strategy 
presented in the Communication on “e-Skills for the 21st Century” in September 2007.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

After  spectacular  declines  in  ICT  education  enrolments  and  graduate  numbers  in  the  first 
years of the new millennium, the Commission developed in 2007 a long term e-skills strategy 
to reverse this trend. Since 2010, the number of ICT students is growing again and the good 
news is that the rate of growth is quicker than expected, contributing to reduce the estimated 
gap at the horizon of 2020.  

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                          
 
 
The “e-Skills for Jobs” campaigns contributed to this achievement and mobilised very large 
numbers of countries and stakeholders in synergy with the "Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs". 
The final report of the "e-Skills for Jobs" campaign has been released in January 2017. Over 
the  period  2014-2016,  it  covered  30  countries  and  involved  over  450  organisations.  Over 
5.500 events have been organised gathering 3.4 million people. Media coverage and visibility 
on the Internet and social networks has been extensive. Over 100 videos were produced and 
numerous  promotional  materials  as  well  as  the  e-Skills  Manifesto;  10.000  followers  on 
Twitter  and  7.000  fans  on  Facebook.  Close  cooperation  was  established  with  the  EU 
Presidencies. High-level events on "e-Skills for Jobs" have been organised on 6 May 2014 in 
Athens  (Greece),  30  October  2014  in  Rome  (Italy),  13  March  2015  in  Riga  (Latvia),  15 
December  2015  in  Luxembourg  and  16  March  2016  in  The  Hague  (The  Netherlands).  The 
final event took place on 18 October 2016 in Bratislava (Slovakia).  
The final report on the "ICT profession" has been released in January 2017. The employment 
growth  rate  of  ICT  practitioners  has  grown[i]  by  around  2  million  in  the  EU  over  last  10 
years.  The  EU  is  facing  a  shortage  of  370,000  in  2016  which  is  likely  to  grow  up  to 
500,000[ii] in 2020 as the demand for highly-skilled ICT professionals is exceeding supply in 
the years to come. While increases in demand for management and business architecture level 
skilled  ICT  professionals  and  core  ICT  practitioners  are  very  strong,  there  is  a  decreasing 
demand for lower skilled - ICT technician types of jobs. Latest research shows that the gap in 
the  EU  is  growing  slightly  from  3.2%  in  2015  to  3.5%  in  2020.  The  US  shows  a  similar 
pattern with a skills gap growing with 0.7 percentage points to 3.7% in 2020. In Japan the gap 
would increase from 2.2% to 8.7% in 2020, leaving a real risk that the lack of skills for new 
digital  technologies  can  hold  back  adoption  and  thereby  also  business  opportunities  and 
economic growth[iv]. 
The  European  e-Competence  Framework  (e-CF)  is  now  the  official  standard  across  Europe 
the  European 
for  ICT  practitioners'  skills  and  competences.  It 
Standardisation Committee (CEN). In the Bratislava Declaration (October 2016), stakeholders 
confirmed their support to the development and the implementation of a European Framework 
for  the  ICT  profession  based  on  four  building  blocks:  European  e-Competence  Framework; 
European  ICT  foundational  body  of  knowledge;  European  recognition  of  ICT  certifications 
and qualifications; and shared professional ethics". The proposal for a European Framework 
for ICT Professionalism provides a blueprint for maturing the ICT profession in Europe and a 
major  contribution  to  the  work  of  the  European  Standardisation  Committee  (CEN)  and  its 
CEN Technical Committee 428 on e-Competences and ICT Professionalism and the Digital 
Skills  and  Jobs  Coalition.  The  proposed  framework  includes  not  only  IT  competences  (as 
described  in  the  e-CF),  but  also  other  essentials  building  blocks:  a  foundational  body  of 
knowledge, education and training qualification and certification, and ethical guidelines. It is 
making good progress with pilot implementations in Ireland, Spain and Italy. It was discussed 
at a conference on "The Impact of IT Professionalism on the European economy" on 14 June 
2017 in Malta. 
High-tech leadership skills are required to achieve successful technological innovation crucial 
in  developing  Europe’s  competitiveness  and  innovative  capacity.  The  modern  economy 
depends  on  individuals  with  the  ability  to  design  new  business  models  and  to  seize 
opportunities  making  best  use  of  new  technologies  to  deliver  value.  The  T-shape  metaphor 
describes “future ready” professionals who are adaptive innovators with the necessary high-
tech  talent  and  leadership  skills.  The  final  report  was  released  in  April  2017  and  the  latest 
estimates reveal that there are around 800,000 high-tech leaders in EU. An average of 43,000 
new digital leaders and 7,000 leaders in the KETs domain per year are needed. Europe needs 
to  generate  50,000  new  high-tech  leaders  per  year  or  a  total  of  450,000  until  2025.  They 

is  maintained  by 

87 

 
 
launching 

incentives; 

should  be  provided  with  relevant  education  and  training  opportunities  and  exposed  to  the 
necessary leadership role and experience. Shortages of high-tech leaders create a severe risk 
for  enterprises  and  SMEs  in  Europe  of  missing  out  on  crucial  innovation  opportunities  and 
leaving them to be taken up by their competitors. Pan-European guidelines for new curricula 
have  been  developed  using  stakeholder  input  and  analysis  of  best  practices  in  cooperation 
with  Universities, and business  schools.  The report identifies  key areas where  investment is 
needed to ensure that Europe has a sufficient talent pool of high-tech leaders in the future and 
is providing guidance for action under six strategic priorities: regular monitoring of the supply 
and  demand  of  high-tech  talent,  benchmarking  policies  and  best  practices  sharing; 
establishing  "Software  Universities"  and  fostering  programmes  for  research,  education  and 
training  in  software-based  innovation;  promoting  a  platform-based  ecosystem  of  digital 
services  supporting  diagnosis  including  self-assessment  tools;  making  more  strategic  use  of 
funding,  including  pre-commercial  procurement  of  innovation,  and  more  relevant  lifelong 
learning 
leap 
industry/university innovation leadership skills education and training programmes; ensuring 
a longer-term policy commitment and action plans across Europe. The ‘shared concept’ for a 
digital  skills  strategy  presented  at  the  launch  of  the  Digital  Skills  and  Jobs  Coalition  in 
December 2016 is providing a good inspiration for this type of partnership and cooperation. 
New developments  
All these activities on e-skills have delivered very positive results and triggered considerable 
political  interest.  Digital  skills  is  one  of  the  ten  priorities  included  in  the  Commission's 
Communication on "New Skills Agenda for Europe" adopted in June 2016. Building on the 
results  of  the  Grand  Coalition  for  Digital  Jobs  and  the  e-skills  strategy,  the  Commission 
launched  the  Digital  Skills  and  Jobs  Coalition.  This  new  strategy  will  aim  at  promoting  a 
large  digital  talent  pool  and  ensuring  that  all  European  citizens  and  the  labour  force  are 
equipped  with  adequate  digital  skills.  In  June  2017,  the  new  coalition  is  already  bringing 
together  230  members,  attracted  70  pledges  and  includes  17  National  Coalitions:  Belgium, 
Bulgaria,  Cyprus,  Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Hungary, 
Ireland,  Latvia,  Lithuania, 
Luxembourg,  Malta,  Poland,  Romania,  Slovakia,  Slovenia,  Spain,  UK.  More  are  under 
preparation and will be launched (e.g. France in September 2017). 

a  quality 

large-scale 

including 

activities 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The proposal for a European Framework for ICT Professionalism will provide a blueprint for 
maturing the ICT profession in Europe and a major detailed contribution to the activities of 
the European Standardisation Committee (CEN) and its CEN Technical Committee 428 on e-
Competences and ICT Professionalism. The final report of the e-Skills for Jobs campaign will 
include  a  detailed  description  of  all  the  activities  and  an-depth  evaluation  of  its  impact.  
Together  with  the  results  of  the  work  on  Leadership  Skills  for  Digital  and  Key  Enabling 
Technologies  they  will  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the  "New  Skills  Agenda  for 
Europe"  (adopted  on  10  June  2016)  and  the  implementation  of  a  new  comprehensive  EU 
strategy on digital skills which will be announced in the "New Skills Agenda". 
The  final  reports  and  all  related  deliverables  on  the  "e-Skills  for  Jobs"  campaign,  the  "ICT 
profession"  and  "e-Leadership"  have  been  released  in  1Q2017.  Results have  been  presented 
and  discussed  at  two  European  conferences:  on  6  December  2016  "Fostering  ICT 
professionalism  in  Europe"  and  on  26  January  2017  "High-Tech  and  Leadership  Skills  for 
Europe". 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Three calls for tenders have been published covering: a) the organisation of communication 
and awareness campaign “e-Skills for Jobs” (2015-2016); b) the development of a European 
framework for ICT professionalism and c) the promotion of leadership skills for digital and 
key enabling technologies in Europe. 

e-Skills for Jobs Campaign: 

* Publication of the call:    2 September 2014  
29 December 2014 
* Start of the contract:  
29 December 2016 
* End of the contract:  

European Framework for ICT Professionalism: 

* Publication of the call:    24 December 2014  
* Start of the contract:  
* End of the contract:  

7 August 2015  
7 February 2017  

Leadership Skills for Digital and Key Enabling Technologies: 

* Publication of the call:    18 March 2015  
* Start of the contract:  
* End of the contract:  

30 July 2015 
30 January 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

e-Skills for Jobs communication and awareness raising campaign: 1,987,,042 euros 
European Framework for the ICT profession: 451,718 euros 
Leadership skills for digital and key enabling technologies: 499.890 euros 

6. INDICATORS 

Number  of  participating  countries  and  stakeholders:  30  countries,  450  stakeholders,  5.500 
events,  3.4  million  people,  100  videos,  10.000  followers  on  Twitter  and  7.000  fans  on 
Facebook. 
Relevance  of  the  recommendations  and  of  good  practices  identified:  the  recommendations 
constitute the backbone of the shared concept for national digital skills strategies developed 
jointly by the Commission and Member States which also include links to best practices. The 
best  of  them  (e.g.  PROMPT  –  a  Swedish  initiative)  received  Digital  Skills  Awards  in 
December 2016. 
Satisfaction survey regarding the relevance of the results and the quality of the deliverables: 
results of satisfaction survey are very positive. However stakeholders are requesting a longer 
term involvement, scalable and sustainable efforts and greater commitment at national level. 
Number of follow-up measures taken by the Commission, public authorities and stakeholders: 
Launch  by  the  Commission  of  the  Digital  Skills  and  Jobs  Coalition  and  the  Blueprint  for 
Sectoral Cooperation on Skills under the New Skills Agenda for Europe in 2016 building on 
the results of the EU e-skills strategy; 17 national digital skills and jobs coalition have been 
launched and 11 Member States launched national digital skills strategies. All Member States 
are  expected  to  have  national  coalitions  and  digital  strategies  before  2020.  In  addition,  six 
new  targeted  actions  have  been  included  in  the  COSME  2016  Work  Programme.  Fifty 
stakeholders launched the IT Professionalism Europe Network in 2016. 

89 

 
 
 
 
Improvement of the talent pool and reduction of the e-skills and e-leadership skills shortages: 
The  employment  of  ICT  specialists  has  grown  by  around  2  million  in  the  EU  over  last  10 
years. The EU faced a shortage of 370,000 in 2016 which is likely to grow up to 500,000 in 
2020 (which is an improvement compared to an estimate of 900,000 released in 2013). Supply 
is now increasing but the demand for highly-skilled ICT professionals will remain very strong 
for the years to come.  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

e-Skills for Jobs Campaign: 
* Digitaleurope, aisbl, 14 rue de la Science, 1040 Brussels, Belgium 
* European Schoolnet, aisbl, 61 rue de Trêves, 1040 Brussels, Belgium 
European Framework for the ICT profession: 
*  Capgemini  Nederland  b.v,  private  law  body,  Reykjavikplein  1,  3543  KA  Utrecht,  The  
   Netherlands 
* Ernst & Young spa, private law body, Via Fernanda Wittgens 6, 20123 Milan, Italy  
* IDC Italia srl, private low body, Viale Monza 14, 20127 Milan, Italy  
Leadership skills for digital and key enabling technologies: 
*  Empirica  Gesellschaft  fur  Kommunications-und  Technologieforschung  mbh,  private  law  
   body, Oxfordstrasse 2, 53111 Bonn, Germany  

GRO/SME/14/C/N11 - The European Resource Efficiency Self-
Assessment Tool for SMEs - EASME/COSME/2014/005  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective of this measure is to enable European SMEs to increase their understanding of 
their  resource  efficiency  performance  and  which  measures  could  be  taken  to  increase  their 
resource efficiency. It will provide all European SMEs with an easy-to-use common tool that 
also enables benchmarking of SME resource efficiency across countries and sectors. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Implementation started in 2015, by a service provider. The contractor has developed the self-
assessment tool which is being tested with SMEs, as well as a catalogue of resource efficiency 
improvement  measures  to  enable  European  SMEs  to  increase  the  understanding  of  their 
resource  efficiency  performance  and  identify  what  steps  could  be  made  to  improve  it.  In 
parallel, the European Database of the information on the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of 
different types of resource efficiency improvements, collected from SME self-assessments is 
being created. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 

The tool, including the catalogue and the database, is conceived as the first module towards 
the establishment of a European Resource Efficiency Excellence Centre (COSME 2015) 

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 30 AUGUST 2014  
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: DECEMBER 2014 
END OF THE PROJECT: DECEMBER 2016 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Budget available as per the work programme: EUR500.000,00 
Reallocation: EUR 100.000,00 has been allocated to the recruitment of an external contractor 
to implement the tool within the EC webpages  (Specific contract under FWC DESIS III for 
the recruitment of an external IT consultant) 
Budget finally committed EUR 383.950,00. 
Indicate how many proposals/offers were received: 9 
How many awarded: 1 (+specific contract for the external consultant)  

6. INDICATORS 

Data on all three indicators listed in WP will be available by end of 2016. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Technopolis Group 

GRO/SME/14/D/N03 - DIGITAL Entrepreneurship Monitor 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  digital  entrepreneurship  monitor  is  a  three  year  project  aiming  to  develop  appropriate 
tools  to  monitor  in  a  systematic  way  emerging  digital  trends  and  their  potential  impact  on 
businesses.  The  digital  entrepreneurship  monitor  is  designed  in  this  context  and  with  the 
following objectives: 
-  increase  knowledge  on  the  evolution  of  digital  transformation  in  Europe,  notably  by 
extending the development and operation of monitoring tools to follow emerging technology 
developments and market needs, as well as the digital opportunities for European businesses; 
- identify new business opportunities for European established companies and entrepreneurs 
in the digital world and improve awareness raising; 
-  support  the  dialogue  among  industry,  science,  and  politics  with  the  view  to  develop  a 
common and coherent vision on the position of European enterprises in the digital world; 
- continue the annual operation of a digital transformation scoreboard to measure progress at 
national, EU and global level. 
The information gathered through the monitor  and the different deliverables is accessible to 
any  interested  party  through  the  digital  transformation  monitor  portal,  currently  hosted  at 
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/dem/monitor.  In  addition,  the  portal  provides 
access to statistics to compare the uptake of digital technologies across the member states and 
display  the  results  of  a  dedicated  digital  transformation  survey,  focusing  particularly  on  the 
uptake of digital technologies. 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

EASME published the call for tenders in August 2014. The Digital Entrepreneurship Monitor  
started in February  2015. The work advances according to schedule: 
The  existing  monitoring  methodology  of  DEM  and  the  DEM  web  site  has  been  updated. 
Based on the preliminary assessment of the existing methodology, new layers as well as some 
modifications  have  been  developed:  to  analyse  emerging  trends  in  ICT  and  business 
opportunities  in  EU;  to  monitor  and  identify  relevant  public  policies  of  the  EU,  individual 
Member  States'  and  competing  economies’  to  foster  digital  entrepreneurship;  to  provide 
overall  insight  on  all  sectors  in  terms  of  digital  uptake;  to  update  the  DEM  portal  with  the 
deliverables of the project. 
The consortium continued to provide technical support to dialogues and networking between 
politics,  business  and  science,  notably 
the  Strategic  Policy  Forum  on  Digital 
to 
Entrepreneurship  established  by  the  EC  in  2014  and  the  Member  States  Board  on  Digital 
Entrepreneurship  under  the  guidance  and  supervision  of  EASME  and  DG  GROW.  The 
support  was  comprised  of  everything  from  logistics  to  content  generation  and  moderation, 
covering the activities and tasks to be done both before and after the meetings. 
Since March 2015, five Strategic Policy Forum on Digital Entrepreneurship meetings and four 
Member  States  Board  on  Digital  Entrepreneurship  meetings  have  been  organised.  The 
Strategic Policy Forum on Digital Entrepreneurship (2014 – 2016), was a GROW think tank 
to reinforce dialogue among industry, science, civil society and politics. The final deliverables 
of the Forum have been published and include:   
The  ‘High-level  Conference  on  the  digital  transformation  of  Europe’s  industry  and 
enterprises’  took  place  in  Brussels  on  16  February  2016.  Hosted  by  Commissioner 
Bieńkowska  and  bringing  together  three  other  members  of  the  Commission  –  VP  Katainen, 
Commissioners Moedas and Oettinger – and more than 400 participants and 30 speakers, this 
event illustrated boldly that the Commission works together to enable European industry seize 
the  unprecedented  opportunities  of  the  high-tech  era.  The  conclusions  of  each  session  were 
brought  together  in  a  conference  declaration  which  calls  for  immediate  action  by  Europe's 
business leaders and policymakers in seven areas. 
The  monitoring  methodology  for  digital  transformation  refers  to  the  production  of  reports 
covering different aspects of the digital transformation process of EU industry and enterprises. 
The  monitoring  reports  therefore  focus  on  the  following  four  main  dimensions:  policies, 
challenge,  industry  and  technology.  The  first  batch  of  reports  has  been  published  in  April 
2017  including  technology  reports,  industry  reports,  challenge  report,  policy  initiatives  at 
national level, and at local level. The first set of national policy initiatives selected for an in-
depth  analysis  stand  as  follows  and  have  been  published  at  the  first  European  Stakeholder 
Forum for Digitising European Industry in Essen on 31 January: 
- Germany – Industrie 4.0  
- France – Industrie du Futur 
- Netherlands – Smart Industry 
- Italy – Intelligent Factory Cluster  
- Sweden – Produktion 2030 
- UK – The Catapult Programme – HVM Catapult 
- Spain – Industria Conectada 4.0 (Connected Industry 4.0) 

The first batch of publication of policy reports at local level include the 8 following reports: 
- Rejuvenating Barcelona with technology 

92 

 
 
 
- Bristol: the world’s first open city 
- Cote d’Azur: anchoring its leading position 
- Espoo: an established high-tech spot 
- Hamburg: capitalizing on its entrepreneurs 
- Lisbon’s engines for growth 
- Tallinn: a city of the future 
- Trento: building on past achievements 
In  January  2017,  the  Digital  Transformation  Scoreboard  2017  has  been  published  at  the 
European  Stakeholder  Forum  for  Digitising  European  Industry  in  Essen.  The  aim  of  the 
Scoreboard is to provide evidence on the extent of digital transformation in Europe. This will 
help  policy  makers  at  EU  and  national  level  to  create  policies  supporting  EU  companies  in 
digital  transformation  processes.  It  will  enable  companies  to  understand  why  digital 
technologies are important and how they can create or reinforce their own digital strategy. 
The scoreboard is based on two main tools: the qualitative part, focusing on monitoring digital 
transformation  based  on  the  survey  results;  and  the  quantitative  part,  revolving  around 
monitoring  digital  transformation  based  on  indicators  enabling  us  to  statistically  monitor 
progress on the enabling conditions for digital transformation. 
The survey captures the most recent uptake of digital technologies and digital transformation 
at firm level. It measures the output dimension at firm level, and results are then aggregated 
and  segmented  at  national  and  sectorial  levels.  The  target  audience  for  the  survey  was 
companies in the automotive, mechanical engineering, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors 
across the 28 EU Member States. 
The  country  profiles  in  the  Scoreboard  present  a  'snapshot'  of  the  digital  transformation 
performance  of  an  EU  country  at  a  specific  time  and  serve  as  a  basis  for  the  European 
Member States to measure progress, account for results and identify areas for improvement in 
their efforts towards the digital transformation of their industries and enterprises. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

It is planned (COSME 2017) to further develop and expand suitable mechanisms to observe 
and  analyse  the  current  diffusion  and  adoption  dynamics  of  novel  digital  technologies, 
especially  in  the  fields  of  mobile,  cloud,  social  media,  data  analytics,  digitisation,  design, 
prototyping,  testing  and  proof  of  concept,  and  collaborative  technologies  based  on  the 
experience  of  the  Digital  Entrepreneurship  Monitor.  Together  with  the  KETs-Observatory 
both  tools  will  regularly  nurture  the  entrepreneurial  discovery  process  of  the  Smart 
Specialisation  Strategies  of  European  regions  and  countries  with  sound  and  objective 
statistical  evidence,  notably  to  support  their  regional  SMEs  &  innovation  ecosystems.  This 
action  will  provide  relevant  data  on  how  regional  authorities  can  facilitate  the  uptake  of 
promising technologies by their local SMEs. 
The  DEM  action  is  accompanied  by  the  awareness  campaign  for  digital  transformation  and 
speeding  up  digital  transformation  and  the  uptake  of  advanced  technologies  at  regional  and 
local  level  (WATIFY  -  CIP  2013  &  Awareness  raising  campaign  for  the  modernisation  of 
Europe's industry - COSME 2015). 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

The Digital Entrepreneurship Monitor will run until February 2018 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

93 

 
 
 
 
Service Contract – open call for tenders – Digital Entrepreneurship Monitor: 2.823.000 euros 

6. INDICATORS 
1.  Overall  quality  of  the  Digital  Entrepreneurship  Monitor,  the  scoreboard  and  the  relevant 
reports: The detailed methodology to monitor and capture the key strategic technology trends 
for  the  upcoming  years  will  allow  to  evaluate  and  assess  the  impact  of  these  strategic 
technologies on digital entrepreneurship across a number of sectors in Europe.  
2.  Number  of  countries  and  policy  initiatives  covered:  The  statistical  analysis  of  up-to-date 
indicators will provide continuity in the comparative assessment of the factors supporting the 
development of digital entrepreneurship in the EU28 Member States. The target audience for 
the survey will be companies across the 28 EU member states. It will cover both companies in 
traditional  industries  and  emerging  technology  providers.  Country  comparisons  will  be 
performed  with  the  purpose  of  highlighting  the  diversity  of  countries  in  terms  of  digital 
transformation and its enabling conditions. 
3.  Number  of  case  studies  and  business  paradigms  developed:  6  technology  and  industry 
reports 
Internet  of  Things,  3D  printing,  Healthcare  and 
pharmaceuticals, Automotive industry, Mechanical engineering) which make an emphasis on 
the role the emerging trends in information technologies have in Europe’s business landscape 
and address the market requirements and societal needs they generate. Strategic Policy Forum 
Reports:  Big  data  and  B2B  digital  platforms:  The  next  frontier  for  Europe’s  industry  and 
enterprises”;  Blueprint  on  cities  and  regions  as  launch  pads  for  digital  transformation; 
Toolbox for reskilling the workforce: digital skills for industry; Digital toolkit for digital pop-
up experiences. 
4.  Number  and  geographic  coverage  of  relevant  policy  initiatives  deployed:  Per  selected 
country,  2-4  key  public  support  measures  /  initiatives  at  regional  and  national  level  will  be 
identified. 

(Mobile  and  Mobility, 

8. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Luxembourg, Carsa, ESN, IDATE 

GRO/SME/14/D/N05 - Entrepreneurship Education (Pan-European 
Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative) 
However  the  title  of  the  project  is  now  "The  European  Entrepreneurship  Education 
NETwork" (EE-HUB.EU). 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

In line with proposals included in the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan, the initiative aims 
to  support a network and virtual hub on entrepreneurial learning at European  level bringing 
together existing European and national expertise. This is driven by policy makers and experts 
with a strong knowledge of the topic and who commit themselves to facilitate progress and 
increase coordination of the efforts made by countries and regions. The action encourages and 
supports  networking  in  order  to  stimulate  progress  in  broadening  the  spread  and  impact  of 
entrepreneurship education across Europe, based on learning from existing best practices and 
on sharing information. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
A launch event was held on 5-6 May 2015; 
A broad European network on entrepreneurship education with 42 experts was established; 
A  public  website  (www.ee-hub.eu)  was  created  with  a  content  bank  (e.g.  Good  Practice 
presentations); 
68 Good Practices were published in the content bank under 6 themes. 
EE-HUB  partners  organised  12  targeted  webinars  addressing  different  stakeholders  needs 
(policy makers, business representatives, and educators).  
5 Round Table events were organised. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The final conference will take place on 11-12 July 2017, and two Round Table events remain 
to be organised. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Publication of the call for proposals: 11/06/2014 
Signature of grant agreement: 17 March 2015 
Start of the action: 17 March 2015 
End of the project: 17 March 2018 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

PLANNED BUDGET: 350 000 € 
COMMITTED BUDGET: 349 998.53 € 
12 proposals were received and 1 was awarded. 

6. INDICATORS 

The awarded organisations together cover all EU Member States and pre-accession countries. 
A network of 42 experts was established. 
12 targeted webinars and 5 Round Table events were organised so far. 
It is still too early however to assess how many countries participated in the activities of the 
network and benefited from this project. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

JA Europe (leading partner), the South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning  - 
SEECEL, EUROCHAMBRES and EUproVET. 

GRO/SME/14/C/N04: CLUSTER EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME  

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The overall objective of this call for proposals is to pursue the EU efforts aimed to strengthen 
management excellence in the EU as a way to provide more professional business services to 
European SMEs through clusters and therefore contribute to the development of more world-
class clusters in the EU. Six projects have been funded. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

In  2016  the  six  projects  almost  completed  the  tasks  linked  to  the  benchmarking  (with  22 
organisations  benchmarked)  and  performed  preparatory  tasks  for  the  organisation  of  the 
trainings and study visits (1 consortium started the trainings in 2016 and 2 consortia had the 
first study visit). Dissemination activities were also started.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  six  selected  projects  will  complete  the  activities  to  be  carried  out  under  the  grant 
agreement  (benchmarking,  trainings,  study  visits,  dissemination,  impact  assessment  and 
follow up activities)  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Publication of the call for proposals: 13 May 2015 

Signature of grant agreement: November-December 2015 

Start of the action: 1 January 2016 

End of the project: 1 project will end September 2017, 5 projects will end December 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Planned Budget: 1.500.000 € 

Committed budget: 1.453.579,60 €   

6. INDICATORS     

Overall 31 clusters and business network organisation from 14 countries are participating in 
the  selected  consortia  –  39  lead  managers  are  involved  in  the  action  and  more  than  10  000 
SMEs are potentially benefiting from the action. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

6 projects have been selected out of 42 proposals  

-  Cecil:  in  the  field  creative  industries  (Consortium  members:  Stowarzyszenie  Rozwoju 
Spoleczno-gospodarczego  Wiedza  -  Poland  -  (participant),  Madrid  Plataforma  ICT 
Audiovisual - Spain - (coordinator), Ibec limited*Irish Business and Employers Confederation 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-  Ireland  -  (participant),  Danmarks  Tekniske  Universitet  -  Denmark  -  (participant),  Cap 
Digital - France - (participant) 

- Clustem: textile and machinery sector (Consortium members: Next Technology Tecnotessile 
Società Nazionale di Ricerca r.l. - Italy - (Coordinator), Is ve Insaat Makineleri Kumelenme 
Dernegi - Turkey - (Participant), Huddersfield & District Textile Training Company Limited - 
United Kingdom - (Participant), Asociacion de Empresarios Textiles de la Region Valenciana 
- Spain - (Participant) 

-  5forexcellence:  cross-industry  value  chain  excellence   (Consortium  members:  Vidzemes 
Planosanas  Regions  -  Latvia  -  (Participant),  Netport  Science  Park  AB  (SVB)  -  Sweden  - 
(Participant),   Latvijas  Logistikas  Asociacija  -  Latvia  -  (Participant),   Latvian  Information 
Technologies Cluster - Latvia - (Coordinator), Eesti Infotehnoloogia ja telekommunikatsiooni 
liit - Estonia - (Participant) 

- Materialix : industrial new materials value-chain (Consortium members Plastipolis - France 
-  (Participant),  Consorzio  per  la  Promozione  della  Cultura  Plastica  PROPLAST  -  Italy  - 
(Participant),  Associacao  POOL-NET  Portuguese  Tooling  Network 
- 
(Coordinator),  Asociacion  Valenciana  DE  Empresarios  DE  Plasticos  -  AVEP  -  Spain  - 
(Participant) 

-  Portugal 

-  Rue  Aero:  excellence 
in  Aerospace  cluster  management  (consortium  members 
Wachstumsinitiative  Suderelbe  Aktiengesellschaft  -  Germany  -  (Participant),  PEMAS-
Associacao para a Valorizacao e Promocao da Oferta das Empresas Nacionais para o Sector 
Aeronautico  -  Portugal  -  (Participant),  Hamburg  Aviation  EV  -  Germany  -  (Coordinator), 
Fundacion Helice - Spain - (Participant), Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale della Campania 
SCARL  -  Italy  -  (Participant),  Berlin-Brandenburg  Aerospace  Allianz  E.V.  -  Germany  - 
(Participant), Association Pegase - France - (Participant), Asociacion Cluster de Aeronautica 
y Espacio del Pais Vasco - Spain - (Participant), Aerospace Valley - France - (Participant) 

-  TCE:  energy  technology  and  forest  industry  sectors  (Cpnsortium  members  The  Paper 
Province  Ekonomisk  Foerening  -  Sweden  -  (Participant),  Oy  Merinova  Ab  -  Finland  - 
(Coordinator),  Cluster  de  Energia  -  Spain  -  (Participant),  Associacao  PCTE  -  Polo  de 
Competitividade e Tecnologia da Energia - Portugal - (Participant) 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
GRO/SME/14/D/N08  Senior Entrepreneurs Best Practice Exchange 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The 'Senior entrepreneurs: Best practice exchanges' project was designed to contribute to the 
overall  EU  Entrepreneurship  2020  Action  Plan  by  directly  addressing  the  third  objective  of 
developing  role  models  and  reaching  out  to  specific  groups.  Supporting  the  transition  of 
seniors to become entrepreneurs (or mentors to younger entrepreneurs) presents an important 
segment for potentially increasing economic and innovation activity. 

This  measure  organised  two  Laboratories  for  experts,  representatives  of  business  support 
organisations and policy makers to share approaches and details of such actions where retired 
or  senior  entrepreneurs  serve  as  mentors,  coaches  or  advisers  to  new  entrepreneurs,  or  are 
given  support  and  advice  to  enable  them  to  become  entrepreneurs  for  the  first  time 
themselves.   

The  Laboratories  serve  as  a  platform  for  the  exchange  of  experience  and  resulted  in  the 
publication of good practice examples, recommendations and guidance. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Two Laboratories were organised to mobilise exchange of existing practices and developing 
new  approaches:  one  on  seniors  as  mentors  for  young  entrepreneurs  and  one  seniors  as 
entrepreneurs. 

A Good Practice Manual was published, with examples of successful programmes aiming to 
support seniors as entrepreneurs or to help seniors who want to become mentors for young or 
new entrepreneurs. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The action was completed. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

29/12/2014 
16-17/06/ 2015 

17-18/09/ 2015 
07/11/2016  

Signature of the contract 
First  Laboratory  on  seniors  as  mentors  for  young  entrepreneurs, 
London 
Second Laboratory on seniors as entrepreneurs, Barcelona  
Final publication of the Good Practice Manual 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The budget was committed for EUR 436 734. Six offers were received after an open call for 
tenders and the contract was signed with Development Solutions Europe Ltd, UK. 

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

The  two  Laboratories  held  in  London  and  Barcelona  facilitated  best  practice  exchange 
between 54 and 55 participants respectively. Participants represented a broad variety of actors 
involved in supporting senior entrepreneurship and mentoring.  
In the Good Practice Manual 24 examples of good practice coming from 11 EU countries are 
presented; the Manual also includes practical recommendations and guidelines for support to 
senior entrepreneurship. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

Service contract EASME/COSME/2014/002 

Direct beneficiary: 
Development Solutions Europe Ltd., UK 

99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPORT MEASURES  

GRO/SME/15/F/114 - Studies on Smart Grids: Smart Grids Lighthouse 
Projects (Lot 1) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Study to analyse Smart Grid lighthouse projects and what has already been achieved so far in 
this  area.  The  final  report  will  serve  as  a  guide  to  investors  on  opportunities  in  the  area  of 
smart grids and complement the Commission's work in industrial policy. It is LOT 1 of 2 Lots 
launched with the above title. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The final report of the study was delivered in March 2017 and will be published together with  
the  report  (Lot  2)  on  Smart  Grids:  barriers  and  opportunities  for  deployment  when  that  is 
finalised  in July  2017 and should help provide a detailed picture of exemplary  projects that 
are  already  in  operation  so  as  to  identify  why  these  projects  are  successes  and  therefore 
encourage further investment in Smart Grid technologies. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The study will be made available on the Commission's website in August 2017 and follow-up 
measures such as a conference may be considered. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CALL  (WHERE  RELEVANT):  The  call  for  tender  was  published  on 
28/07/2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 22/12/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 01/08/2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The Budget allocated for this Lot was 300 000 euros. The contract was signed for an amount 
of 294 860 euros. 
Nine offers were received. 

6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The contract was awarded to a consortium comprising of Ecofys and Tractebel Engineering 

GRO/SME/15/F/S115 – Membership fee International Rubber Study 
Group (SM 2015) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Participation  in  the  IRSG,  of  which  the  EU  is  a  member  (Council  Decision  2012/283/EU). 
This  entailed  the  payment  of  the  annual  contribution  to  the  IRSG's  budget  in  amount  of  
115,521 EUR. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-16 

Participation  in  the  IRSG  supports  the  competitiveness  of  the  European  tyre  &  rubber 
industry, by rendering more predictable the developments on the world market of an essential 
input  – natural  rubber. It is  directly relevant for COSME's  Objective  1 (Actions  to  improve 
framework  conditions  for  the  competitiveness  and  sustainability  of  Union  enterprises). 
Reaching this objective is supported also by other projects which the IRSG has carried out:  
impact of new tyre legislation on rubber demand; future butadiene supply and its impact on 
synthetic rubber; current dynamics of the reclaim rubber market; impact of re-treading tyres in 
emerging markets.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  payment  of  the  annual  contribution  to  the  IRSG  budget  is  mandatory  during the  whole 
duration of EU's membership to the Group.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Membership fee -> Commitment in summer 2016; IRSG Secretariat issues the invoice for the 
annual budget contribution in July of each year. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Membership fee -> Commitment in summer 2016; IRSG Secretariat issues the invoice for the 
annual budget contribution in July of each year.  
Initial allocated budget: 115.000 EUR 
Committed: 115.521 EUR 
Paid: 115.521 EUR 
IMPLEMENTED BY EASME. 

6. INDICATORS 

Participation in the activities of the IRSG. 

7. BENEFICIARIES 

IRSG 

GRO/SME/15/F/117 - Studies on Smart Grids: Barriers and 
Opportunities for Deployment (Lot 2) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Study to analyse existing obstacles to smart grids and opportunities for deployment of these 
technologies in the EU to help identify appropriate policy responses. The final report will also 
serve as a guide to investors on opportunities in the area of smart grids and complement the 
Commission's work in industrial policy. It is LOT 2 of 2 Lots launched with the above title. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The  final  report  of  the  study  should  be  available  in  July  2017  and  should  help  provide  an 
indication  of  where  the  barriers  to  smart  grid  deployment  are  most  serious  as  well  as  a 
preliminary view of the opportunities that exist.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The final report of the study should be available in July 2017 and will be made available on 
the  Commission's  website  together  with  the  report  on  Smart  Grid  lighthouse  projects  in 
August 2017. Follow-up measures such as a conference and other actions may be considered. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CALL  (WHERE  RELEVANT):  The  call  for  tender  was  published  on 
28/07/2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED 1/04/2016 
END OF THE PROJECT:  10/08/2017 AUGUST 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The Budget allocated for this Lot was 300 000 euros. The contract was signed for an amount 
of 298 300 euros. 
Nine offers for this Lot were received. 

6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The contract was awarded to a consortium led by Tecnalia and including 5 other partners. 

GRO/SME/15/F/S119 - Composition and drivers of energy prices and 
costs: Case studies in selected energy intensive industries" 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Recent  developments  in  energy  prices  and  costs  are  a  major  concern  for  European 
governments,  citizens  and businesses and they affect Europe's global competitiveness. They 
particularly impact SMEs. 
In June 2014, energy ministers called the Commission to produce by 2016 a follow-up review 
of  its  January  2014  analysis  of  the  composition  and  drivers  of  energy  prices  and  costs  in 
Member  States,  with  a  particular  focus  on  the  impact  on  households,  SMEs  and  energy 
intensive industries, and looking more widely at the EU's competitiveness vis-à-vis its global 
economic counterparts. 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  response  to  this  request  and  building  on  previous  related  actions,  DG  Internal  Market, 
Industry,  Entrepreneurship  and  SMEs  (DG  GROW)  aimed  at  contributing  to  the  overall 
Commission's  work  by  carrying  out  ad  hoc  case  studies  with  the  objective  to  complement 
information available at macro level with bottom-up evidence about electricity and natural gas 
prices  at  micro  (i.e.  plant)  level  for  a  number  of  selected  (sub-)  sectors  amongst  energy-
intensive industries (EIIs). 
The importance of the work to be carried out and its implications for decision-making in key 
policy  areas  was  further  emphasised  by  the  Commission  in  its  Communication  on  Energy 
Union  adopted  in  February  2015,  setting  a  strategic  vision  for  a  secure,  sustainable, 
competitive and affordable energy coupled with ambitious climate policy objectives. 
In  this  Communication,  the  Commission  indeed  indicated  that  it  will  "ensure  greater 
transparency  in  the  composition  of  energy  costs  and  prices  by  developing  regular  and 
detailed  monitoring  and  reporting,  including  on  impacts  of  energy  costs  and  prices  on 
competitiveness.  Particular  attention  will  be  paid  to  public  interventions  such  as  regulated 
tariffs,  energy  taxation  policies  and  the  level  of  public  support,  as  well  as  their  impact  on 
pricing mechanisms, including electricity tariff deficits". 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The contractor submitted all the required deliverables in accordance with the conditions 
agreed. 
The results of the activity were published in a stand-alone document and also integrated in the 
broader Commission analysis of the composition and drivers of energy prices and costs in 
Member States, released within the 'Clean energy for all' package in November 2016. 
In this respect, the results of the activity contributed to assess trends and explore their possible 
causes, drawing conclusions which will support dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders 
(SMEs, industry, NGOs and MS) and ultimately help inform policy decisions. 
Given the nature of the activities conducted (i.e. case studies collecting bottom-up evidence 
about electricity and natural gas prices at micro level in a number of selected energy-intensive 
industries), no direct impact can be envisaged or budget assigned in terms of climate change 
objectives.  Yet,  the  action  is  fully  integrated  in  the  broader  context  of  the  Energy  Union 
strategy,  therefore  contributing  to  the  achievement  of  related  objectives,  which  include 
climate change. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

No activities remain to be performed. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 20/10/2015 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 16/12/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 13/05/2016 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

€250,000 available and €229,900 committed. 
3 offers were received in response to the call for tender and one contract awarded.  

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

Given  the  nature  of  the  activity  (i.e.  case  studies  collecting  bottom-up  evidence  on  energy 
prices  in  a  number  of  selected  energy-intensive  industries)  and  the  limited  timeframe,  no 
specific indicators were defined for the implementation and monitoring of the activity. Still, 
the activity produced as a final outcome the five case studies foreseen, which were built using 
an  agreed  questionnaire  for  primary  data  collection  and  providing  good  overview  of  the 
sampling strategy adopted as well as of the level of representativeness of responses received. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The action was implemented by a contractor selected in the context of Framework Contract 
409/PP/2014FC – Lot 1 

GRO/SME/15/F/S120 - Supporting study for the fitness check for the 
construction sector – second phase on EU environment and 
occupational health & safety legislation 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

A study was launched to support the fitness check on the construction sector, in the field of 
the  EU  environment  and  occupational  health  &  safety  legislation.  This  study  aimed  at 
identifying  the  potential  overlaps,  gaps,  inconsistencies  and  obsolete  measures  affecting  the 
sector  and  at  assessing  the  cumulative  impacts  of  EU  legislation  in  those  two  fields  on  the 
sector, both in terms of costs and benefits. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The study was contracted out under FWC 409/PP/2014 Lot 5, the specific contract was signed 
on 25 November 2015 for a duration of 9 months. The works are in progress. The final report 
was 
(see 
published 
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/construction/fitness-check_en). 

24  August 

in  Oct. 

delivered 

2016 

2016 

and 

in 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  result  of  this  study  together  with  those  of  another  parallel  study  focussing  on  the  EU 
internal  market  and  energy  efficiency  legislation  will  feed  into  the  Fitness  check  Staff 
Working Document scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017. 
The fitness check on construction will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment 
of whether the current regulatory framework has delivered its objectives at sectorial level and 
whether  the  costs  can  be  considered  proportionate  to  the  benefits  achieved.  Such  synthesis 
will form a thorough state of play, based on evidence, to be used as a reference document for 
any further initiative.   

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): NA 
STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 25.11.2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 24.08.2016 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Specific contract under FWC 409/PP/2014 Lot 5. 
Commitment: € 162.615 

6. INDICATORS 

The  results  and  findings  of  the  study  were  qualified  satisfactory  according  to  the  quality 
required from evaluations carried out for the Commission (evaluation standards and relevant 
quality assessment). 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd, UK. 

GRO/SME/15/F/S121 - Study international comparison of cumulative 
costs for the chemicals industry and their impact on competitiveness 
International  Comparison  of  Cumulative  Regulatory  Costs  for  the  Chemical  Industry  – 
Considerations on competitiveness concerning the sector 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Analyse  the  overall  cost  structures  of  main  international  competitors  and  compare 

The action is an evidence-collection exercise, no policy conclusion will be drawn an the end. 
It will serve as a basis for future REFIT and better regulation activities.  
Specifically, the study will: 
• 
them with  the EU chemical industry; 
• 
Identify  the  relevant  chemicals-related  legislation  in  selected  third  countries  and 
assess,  in  a  qualitative  manner,  cumulative  costs  effects  it  engenders  in  comparison  with 
cumulative costs resulting from chemicals-related legislation in the EU;  
• 
Carry  out  case  studies  on  the  cost  effects  of  the  most  relevant  chemicals-related 
legislation in selected third countries, with the objective to compare them also in quantitative 
terms with the costs engendered by chemicals-related legislation in the EU and to assess their 
potential impact on the international competitiveness of EU chemicals companies;  
• 

Validate the results from the study with relevant stakeholders 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 
The Open CFT was launched in Dec. 2015 with submission deadline on 29th of January 2016. 
The contract between the Commission and Technopolis Group (the contractor) was signed on 
the 2nd of May 2016. The kick-off meeting will take place on 20 May 2016. The study will be 
carried out in 2016-2017 and will last 15 months. The Final Report is foreseen to be delivered 
in May 2017. The publication of the Report will follow in Q3 2017. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

In the course of 2016 the study will be carried out. Inception report foreseen to be delivered in 
August 2016, 1st Interim report to be delivered in November. Remaining phases of the project 
to be carried-out in 2017 (2nd Interim report due in February 2017, Final Report due in May).  

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 10 DECEMBRE 2015 (CN) 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 2 MAY 2016 
END OF THE PROJECT: AUGUST 2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

BUDGET ALLOCATED: 225.000 € 
OFFERS RECEIVED: 2 
OFFER AWARDED: 1 (TECHNOPOLIS GROUP) 
BUDGET FINALLY COMMITTED: 216.472,50 € 

6. INDICATORS 

The  study  is  now  ongoing.  The  project  shall  provide  valuable  inputs  for  further 
competitiveness  analysis  of  the  sector,  and  for  better  regulation  activities.  In  first  place,  the 
results  of  the  study,  that  will  be  provided  with  the  Final  report  in  2017,  will  feed  into  the 
Fitness Check for Chemical Legislation (other than REACH). 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

CONTRACTOR: TECHNOPOLIS GROUP  

-  Competitiveness  and 

change, 
GRO/SME/15/F/S122 
environment, energy and transport policies – EU competitiveness and 
the  2030  framework:  An  industry  perspective  [ENT/SME/14/F/S108, 
GRO/SME/15/F/S122 and GRO/SME/16/F/S109] 

climate 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  action  gives  insights  on  the  impact  of  climate  change  and  energy  policies  on  the 
competiveness  of  EU  industry  at  sectorial  and  MS  levels,  linked  with  the  jobs,  growth  and 
investment priority of the Commission. 
The study is a follow up of previous studies in the field, which all build on the PACE model, 
a powerful macro-economic modelling tool to assess globally and in a detailed way the long-
term socio-economic impact of environmental policies. 
For  the  study,  the  PACE  model  is  refined  and  updated  in  accordance  with  the  latest 
developments  in  the  climate  change  and  energy  policy  area,  including  on  the  international 
scene. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Preliminary  results  were  submitted  by  the  contractor  and  discussed  with  Commission 
services. The delivery of final results was postponed to 2017 due to quality issues. 
The study serves to inform climate and energy policies and help DG GROW for elaborating 
its  positions  in  these  policy  areas.  To  that  respect,  the  action  has  an  impact  on  fulfilling 
climate objectives with an estimated contribution of 100%. 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  study  is  also  part  of  a  longer-term  exercise  to  increase  DG  GROW's  modelling 
capabilities. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2014/2015? 

The  study  is  still  on-going.  Once  submitted  by  the  contractor,  the  final  results  will  be 
presented and discussed at a final Conference with  external stakeholders and made  publicly 
available for further dissemination. 

The contract  has  been  renewed in  2016 for one  more year (until November 2017),  with  the 
possibility to extend it by one more year 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): n/a 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 27 May 2015 
END  OF  THE  PROJECT:  30  November  2017  (initial  contract  +  1  year  renewal)  (possibility  to 
renew up to 30 November 2018) 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

A  provisional  budget  of  €166,360  was  foreseen  for  the  study  (ENT/SME/14/F/S108). 
However,  the  actual  value  of  the  initial  contract  is  €165,419.42.  A  provisional  budget  of 
€50,000 per contract renewal (GRO/SME/15/F/S122 and GRO/SME/16/F/S109, respectively) 
was also foreseen. However, the actual value of the first renewal contract is €45 889.20. 
Only  one  proposal  was  received  as  the  action  is  implemented  through  the  negotiated 
procedure. 

6. INDICATORS 

It was finally decided to postpone the final Conference due to result quality issues. This final 
Conference did not take place in 2016 as initially planned but will take place at a later date. 
The  number  of  participants  at  the  final  Conference  will  be  known  only  after  the  event  has 
taken place. 

The delivery of the final study report was postponed to 2017 due to result quality issues. The 
number of downloads of the study report will be monitored once it has been published  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW) 

GRO/SME/15/F/S123 - Cumulative Costs Assessment of the European 
Glass and Ceramics industries  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 
As  part  of  its  smart  regulation  policy,  the  European  Commission  announced  in  its  Work 
Programme  for  2013  that,  "to  keep  current  regulation  fit  for  purpose,  the  Commission  will 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
begin  reviewing,  from  this  year  onwards,  the  entire  body  of  legislation  in  selected  policy 
fields through "fitness checks". The purpose is to identify excessive burdens, overlaps, gaps, 
inconsistencies  and/or  obsolete  measures  which  may  have  appeared  over  time."  Four  pilot 
projects were launched in 2010, covering specific policy areas. 
As a result of the studies on Cumulative Cost Assessments (CCA) that have been conducted 
in  a  number  of  sectors  (steel,  aluminium),  the  European  Commission  foresees  in  the 
Communication for a European Industrial Renaissance in 01/2014 that CCAs are performed 
in others in an effort to estimate ex-post the joint costs of different strands of national and EU 
regulations on industrial sectors. This study has been launched within this context with a view 
at undertaking a comprehensive review of the competitiveness and regulatory frameworks in 
the Ceramics and Glass industrial value chains, using a cumulative cost assessment. 
This assessment will cover the overall regulatory framework for the EU Ceramics and Glass 
industries, in order to identify excessive administrative burdens, examine regulatory overlaps, 
gaps  and  inconsistencies,  as  well  as  the  cumulative  impact  of  legislation,  covering  in 
particular  the  following  EU  policy  areas:  construction,  energy,  transport,  environment, 
climate  change,  health  and  safety  and  trade.  The  findings  will  serve  as  a  basis  for  drawing 
conclusions for the future policies. 
- Previous measures on the same topic. 
There  is  no  similar  measure  for  Ceramics  and  Glass  undertaken  so  far  in  this  area  by  the 
European Commission. 
- European added value  
This action looks at the impact of the EU policies and legislation on the Ceramics and Glass 
industries at the European level, and thus the European Commission is best suited to carry-out 
such a study rather than individual or group of Member States.- The annex III – Refit actions 
to the Commission Work Programme 2015 Communication20, published in December 2014, 
lists this study under the title ‘Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs’.  
The  Cumulative  Cost  Assessment  for  the  glass  and  ceramics  industry  has  been  foreseen  in 
Annex  III  –  Refit  actions  to  the  Commission  Work  Programme  2015  Communication21, 
published  in  December  2014,  which  lists  under  the  title  ‘Internal  Market,  Industry, 
Entrepreneurship  and  SMEs’.  Also  the  Industrial  Policy  Communication  published  on  22 
January 201422 announced that cumulative cost assessments will be launched to estimate ex-
post  the  joint  costs  of  regulation  on  specific  industrial  sectors  and  to  provide  input  for  the 
review of their competitiveness. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2016-2017 

Final  results  are  the  identification  of  elements  that  can  contribute  to  the  improvement  of 
European  regulation  to  reduce  regulatory  burden  on  ceramics  and  glass  industries.  Climate 
legislation, in particular ETS, are among the legislation subject to analysis. 
The contract was signed on 19/11/2015. 
A Kick-off meeting took place on 26/11/2015. 

20 Annex III REFIT-actions to the Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions, "Commission Work Programme 2015 / A New Start", COM(2014) 910final 
21 Annex III REFIT-actions to the Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions, "Commission Work Programme 2015 / A New Start", COM(2014) 910final 
22 Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee 
and the Committee of the Regions: "For a European Industrial Renaissance", COM(2014) 14/2 

108 

 
 
 
                                                            
So  far,  the  Final  Reports  have  been  approved.  Following  meetings  and  steps  have  been 
reached: 
-  Inception  report,  1st  Intermediate  report,  2nd  intermediate  report,  Draft  Final  reports  have 
been  received  and  approved  prior  to  the  delivery  of  Final  reports  on  14/6/2017  and  their 
approval on 19/06/2017. 
- 4 Meetings of the Interservice Steering Group on 15/03/2016, 16/06/2016, 14/11/2016 and 
13/03/2017 
-  4  Meetings  of  both  Mirror  Groups  on  16/03/2016,  16  and  20/06/2016,  15/11/2016  and 
14/03/2017 
- Open Mirror Group on 26/04/2016 and Validation Workshop on 24/01/2017 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Further  to  the  approval  of  the  Final  Reports,  payment  of  the  balance  and  publication  of 
Reports (July 2017). 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 02/06/201523 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 19/11/2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 06/2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Available budget: 550 000 EUR 
Budget committed: 519 500 EUR 
Budget  available:  207  800  EUR  (30%  Prefinancing  paid  on  7/12/2015  and  30%  Interim 
payment made in 10/2016) 
3 bids were received. The contract was awarded to consortium led by CEPS and composed of 
CEPS, Economistii Associati and ECORYS. 

6. INDICATORS 

Final reports approved on 19/06/2017.  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Contractor:  consortium  led  by  CEPS  and  composed  of  CEPS,  Economistii  Associati  and 
ECORYS 

GRO/SME/15/F/S124  -  Study  on  the  review  of  the  list  of  Critical  Raw 
Materials for 2016 (3rd revision) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

23 457/PP/GRO/SME/15/F/S123.- Study — cumulative costs assessment (CCA) of the EU ceramics and glass industries. 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
The  study  will  identify  those  raw  materials  that  are  deemed  critical  to  the  EU.  In  the  2011 
Communication  on  raw  materials,  the  Commission  formally  adopted  a  list  of  'Critical  Raw 
Materials'.  It  also  made  a  commitment  towards  the  Member  States  and  the  European 
Parliament (Raw Materials Initiative)  to  update the list  at least  every three years. The latest 
revision took place in May 2014 and was published through a Commission Communication of 
26 May 2014. In order to be able to deliver a revised list of Critical Raw Materials in 2017, 
the Commission needs a new study performed by expert-consultants. The list of 2017 will be 
the  first  list  of  CRMs  for  which  the  revised  CRM  methodology  developed  by  JRC,  will  be 
used. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The study serves as a basis for identifying the raw materials that will be included on the next 
list of Critical Raw Materials in 2017. It should help to incentivise the European production of 
critical raw materials and facilitate the launching of new mining and recycling activities. The 
list  is  also  being  used  to  help  prioritise  needs  and  actions.  For  example,  it  serves  as  a 
supporting element when negotiating trade agreements, drafting legislation, challenging trade 
distortion measures or promoting research and innovation (Horizon 2020). 
The study will also deliver detailed fact sheets for every raw material assessed (more than 80 
raw materials) 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

In 2017 the study shall be finalised and published along with the revised list of CRMs and the 
reviewed methodology developed by the JRC. The Commission will also publish a report on 
'CRMs in the Circular Economy' which should also be published together with the new list of 
CRMs. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 01.06.2015 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 30.11.2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 24.05.2017 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

397.350,00 EUR. 
4 bids – one bid did not make the threshold and was excluded.1 bid was awarded. 

6. INDICATORS 

Not applicable. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The  consortium  coordinator  is  Deloitte.  Other  partners  are  BRGM,  BGS  and  TNO.  The 
consortium closely collaborates with DG GROW and DG JRC but also the Ad hoc Working 
Group  on  Criticality  which  is  a  sub-group  of  the  European  Commission's  expert  group  the 
"Raw Materials Supply Group". 

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GRO/SME/15/F/S212  –  Side  event  on  EU  Food  SMEs  at  EXPO  Milano 
2015: Feeding the Planet   

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

- The International Exposition (EXPO) took place in Milan, Italy, from May until October 
2015.  EXPOs  take  place  every  5  years,  and  are  centred  on  one  theme,  this  edition  was 
"Feeding the planet, energy for life", focused on nutrition and the food sector in general. DG 
GROW was one of the leading DGs in organizing several events at the EU pavilion, due to 
the  link  between  the  EXPO  theme  and  its  activities.  In  particular  the  DG  organized  a  big 
initiative, the EU Food and Drink week, in collaboration with FoodDrinkEurope. Each day of 
the week was focused on one major issue related to the food sector, for instance sustainability, 
innovation,  competitiveness  and  employment.  It  was  very  successful;  a  high  number  of 
participants  attended  the  event.  EXPO  provided  therefore  a  unique  and  highly  visible 
opportunity to relaunch the competitiveness of the EU industry in different fields, related to 
the Commission priorities.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

-  The  results  achieved  at  EXPO  Milano  in  2015  were  tangible  and  important.  Indeed,  by 
participating  to  this  major  international  event,  DG  GROW  supported  the  organization  of 
initiatives aimed at promoting the competitiveness of the EU food sector. SMEs for instance 
were  able  to  attend  business  to  business  events  organized  in  collaboration  with  major  EU 
trade  partners,  which  allowed  them  to  find  new  opportunities  internationally.  We  also 
promoted the EU food sector, and in particular its strengths and qualities, to a broad audience, 
in order to bring closer EU citizens to the key role played by the EU institutions in supporting 
the development of a sustainable economy, as well ensuring high quality nutrition standards. 
It was also the occasion to showcase excellences of Member States in the field of food and 
drinks to an international public.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

- As regards EXPO Milano, the European Commission and particularly DG GROW and our 
unit will follow up on the conclusions of this major event, by continuing the work aimed at 
supporting competitiveness of the EU food sector, as well as promoting a sustainable and fair 
food supply chain. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

- N/A 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Order forms under FWCs. 
As regards EXPO Milano, 6.000 euros committed, 4.381,87 euros was finally spent.   

6. INDICATORS 

N/A 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Marsh, Pomilio. 
The body that implemented the actions related to EXPO Milano are unit D3 in collaboration 
with other units in DG GROW.  

GRO/SME/15/F/S213 – Regional integration workshops in the area of 
defence 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

These workshops were organised in support of Commission Communications (2013)542 and 
(2014)387 which highlighted the need to support defence-related SMEs in the EU. One action 
envisaged  to  raise  awareness  of  companies,  clusters  and  regions  of  the  potential  of  EU 
funding of dual use business activities and projects. The purpose of the two regional events 
was  threefold:  (a)  inform  representatives  of  regional  stakeholders  on  this  potential,  (b) 
exchange  best  practices  and  approaches  between  regions  and  (c)  inform  SMEs  about  the 
opportunities at EU level. EASME carried out the implementation. 
The first event was a workshop entitled "Regional strategies and dual use technologies" co-
organised with Aquitaine Développement Innovation in Bordeaux on 11-12 June 2015. 
The second event was an international conference entitled "Dual use technologies within the 
framework  of  RIS3  strategies  in  Europe"  co-organised  with  IDEA  in  Seville  on  27-28 
October 2015. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The workshop in Bordeaux was attended by about 30 people, from regions in France, Spain, 
Poland and Denmark as well as regional defence-related SMEs. During the event the first peer 
review  at  EU  level  of  4  regional  dual  use  strategies  (Aquitaine,  Bretagne,  Podkarpacie  and 
Andalucía)  took  place  which  resulted  in  a  fruitful  exchange  of  best  practices.  The 
participation of SMEs helped to discover how such strategies could be of benefit to their dual 
use businesses.  
The conference in Seville was attended by about 220 people, of which 67% were SMEs. The 
rest  consisted  of  larger companies,  national  and  regional  authorities,  research institutes,  and 
European  institutions.  EEN  Partner  CESEAND  facilitated  165  B2B  meetings.  The  event 
showed how dual use approach can make sense for regions (growth and jobs) by an exchange 
of  best  practices,  involving  regions  from  Croatia,  France,  Spain,  Poland,  Portugal.  It  also 
resulted  in  the  so-called  Seville  Declaration,  which  was  signed  off  by  participants,  and 
consisted  of  a  set  of  7  recommendations  addressed  to  regional,  national  and  European 
policymakers. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  two  regional  events  provided  many  insights,  from  both  operational  as  well  as  content 
point of view, that are useful in preparation for the next step, which will be the  launch of a 
European network of defence-related regions. This objective is also announced in the afore-
mentioned Communications of 2013 and 2014. This network has been be set up as an action 
in the COSME 2016 WP. 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

END OF THE PROJECT: 28 OCTOBER 2015 
The implementation by EASME was via different low value contracts. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Total budget available: €60,000. Total budget spent: €41,155. 

6. INDICATORS 

- 2 workshops (250 participants from 7 EU countries),  
- 165 B2B meetings in Seville 
- Adoption of the Seville Declaration by participants 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Low value contracts were made with various local suppliers (e.g. catering) in Bordeaux and 
Seville.  

GRO/SME/15/F/S214 - Raw Materials Diplomacy Events (RMDE) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The Raw Materials Diplomacy Events promote the dialogue with government representatives 
and  stakeholders  (MS,  national  government  bodies  of  third  countries,  industry  stakeholders 
including SME's, research community, NGO's) on the topic of raw materials, promoting the 
exchange of best practices on mining policies and technology. These dialogues are also used 
to identify concrete ways for co-operation between the EU and the third countries which are 
part of these dialogues, based on mutual interests. The dialogues are in line with the first and 
second  pillars  of  the  Raw  Material  Initiative:  Access  to  raw  materials  on  world  markets  at 
undistorted conditions and Foster sustainable supply of raw materials from European sources. 
There  have  been  three  events  undertaken  between  2014  and  2016  and  one  foreseen  in  June 
2016: 
Budget 2014 
1.- II EU-Latin America dialogue on Raw Materials. 22-23/09/2015. Cartagena de Indias 
(Colombia) 
The  second  EU-Latin  America  dialogue  on  raw  materials,  which  targeted  Governments, 
industry  and  organizations  of  Latin  America  and  the  European  Union,  held  sessions  on  the 
subjects  of  governance,  technology  and  innovation,  research  and  in  concrete  cooperation 
projects as Horizon 2020, Erasmus +and Copernicus. The last subject focused in particular on 
remote  sensing  under  the  Copernicus  Programme,  and  on  how  to  set  up  a  platform  for  the 
European Union and Latin America having a structured and co-ordinated co-operation on raw 
materials. An idea-mapping exercise supported how these concepts are to be developed with 
the support of the "Partnership Instrument”. 
2.  Workshop  on  best  practices  on  mining  policies  and  technologies.  15-16/10/2015. 
Brussels (Belgium) 
The workshop on "best practices on mining policies and technologies" focused on knowledge 
exchange in three key subjects concerning raw materials and mining:  i) good governance; ii) 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
mining waste management and mine rehabilitation and iii) minerals knowledge base and data 
availability  and  management.  EU  strategies  to  support  international  cooperation  on  raw 
materials were addressed and an update on recent developments in the EU trade strategy for 
raw materials and on the EU initiative on responsible sourcing of minerals originating from 
conflict zones was given in the plenary session, both highlighting the importance of each of 
the three aforementioned subjects concerning raw materials and mining.  
The  series  of  thematic  sessions  on  best  practices  on  good  governance  focused  on  the  three 
pillars of sustainability, highlighting the complex nature of governance. The series of thematic 
sessions  on  mining  waste  management  and  mine  rehabilitation  focused  on  exchange  of 
knowledge  on  mine  waste  management  from  various  types  of  mines  and  opportunities  for 
resource recovery from waste. The series of thematic sessions on mineral knowledge base and 
data availability and management focused on availability of reliable, accurate, timely updated 
minerals  data  and  information  and  promoted  worldwide  knowledge  sharing,  discussed  data 
and  information  management  models  and  ways  to  contribute  to  formation  of  a  ‘global 
minerals data and information network/coalition’. 

Budget 2015 
3.  EU-Latin  America  Dialogue  on  Raw  Materials:  enhancing  the  co-operation.  25-
26/04/2016. Santiago de Chile (Chile).  
The EU-Latin America dialogue on raw materials, which targeted Governments, industry and 
organizations of Latin America and the European Union, held sessions on the subjects of good 
governance,  technology,  infrastructure,  services  and  investment  in  the  mining  sector, 
international  cooperation  as  well  as  research  and  innovation  in  concrete  cooperation 
programmes and projects at European (Horizon 2020) and national level.  
4.  Exchange  of  best  practices  on  mining  policies  and  technologies:  challenges  in  the 
current state of the global economy. 28-29/06/2016 Brussels (Belgium) 
The  workshop  on  exchange  of  best  practices  on  mining  policies  and  technologies  was 
organized in June 2016 focused on knowledge exchange in three key subjects concerning raw 
materials  and  mining:  i)  challenges  for  the  mining  sector  in  the  current  state  of  the  global 
economy  and  the  commodity  prices;  ii)  mining  waste  management  and  iii)  EU  actions  on 
international co-operation on raw materials.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

ARTICLE 15 OF COSME REGULATION:  “INFORMATION ON THE AMOUNT OF CLIMATE-RELATED 
EXPENDITURE AND IMPACT OF SUPPORT TO CLIMATE-CHANGE OBJECTIVES”.  
The  results  of  the  Raw  Materials  Diplomacy  Events  organized  under  the  budget  of  2015 
consist on enhancing dialogue and cooperation among the different stakeholders participating 
in the events. The RMDE have allowed strengthening the international cooperation, share best 
practices and promote common understanding of the needs and challenges faced by the sector.  
Strong mobilization and participation, including at political level, from all the countries part 
of both dialogues (Latin America and advanced mining countries). 
Identification of common interests for future co-operation between the stakeholders from the 
EU and third countries in the areas covered by the events.  

Several concrete actions for co-operation were identified and started already implementation, 
as  it  is  the  case  of  the  EU-Latin  America  Mineral  Development  Network  Platform,  a 
project developed under the Partnership Instrument. This  project, with the indicative budget 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
of  1,5M€,  will  establish  a  network  platform  for  continuous  and  structured  cooperation  on  a 
mutual  benefit  basis  between  EU  and  LA1  authorities,  industry,  business  (including 
SMEs),academia  geological  surveys  and  other  relevant  entities  for  the  mining  sector,  in  the 
fields of technology, consulting services, infrastructure, investment, trade, training and skills, 
health and safety, good governance and other relevant areas of the mining value chain (from 
exploration  to  mining  rehabilitation  and  post  closure).  The  project  will  have  three 
components:  (i)  a  study  comprising  a  comprehensive  analysis  of  the  extractive  sectors  and 
related technologies and services in each of the target countries and a thorough stakeholders' 
mapping exercise; (ii) the development of an information and knowledge digital service; (iii) 
the  organisation  of  a  EU-LA  mining  exploration  convention  &  trade  show  for  all 
stakeholders. 
This network platform is to build on existing relevant initiatives in the EU and Latin America. 
The stakeholders are competent EU and LA mining authorities, industry, business (including 
SMEs), academia, geological surveys and other relevant entities related with the mining value 
chain.  
In  addition,  many  representatives,  both  from  research  entities  and  from  industry,  both  from 
the  EU  and  Latin  America,  reported  progress  and  achievements  facilitated  by  the  existing 
RMDD. 
Details can be found at the reports from each event. 
1Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Uruguay. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Organisation  of  the  last  set  of  RMDE:  EU-Latin  America  (8&9  May,  Buenos  Aires, 
Argentina) and EU-Advanced mining countries (November, Brussels) in 2017.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT:  
END OF THE PROJECT: JULY 2016 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Events of 2015 (budget 2014 – EASME implementation) : 154.862,01€ finally paid for the 2 
events 
Events of 2016 (budget 2015): 164 915,73€ finally paid for the 2 events 

6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Budget 2014 – ICF Mostra 
Budget 2015 - INTRASOFT international SA 

GRO/SME/15/F/S215  -  Follow-up  to  the  HL  Forum  for  a  Better 
Functioning Food Supply Chain  

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

-  The  High Level  Forum  for  a  Better  Functioning  Food  Supply  Chain ended  its  mandate  in 
2014, and in June 2015 was renewed for another 4 years, until 2019.  The first plenary High 
Level  Forum  meeting,  where  Commissioners,  Ministries  and  high  level  representatives  of 
European associations participated, took place on 15 December 2016. Four Sherpa meetings 
took place on the new Forum took place in February 2016, June 2016, March 2017 and June 
2017.  In  spring  2017  the  experts  groups  on  food  price  composition  indicator,  digitalisation, 
and barriers to internal market for food and private labels has been launched.  The first High 
Level  Forum  meeting,  where  Commissioners,  Ministries  and  high  level  representatives  of 
European associations will participate, will take place in September. 
The Forum is a key initiative in fostering the competitiveness of the food sector at EU level, 
by bringing around the table all majors actors of the food supply chain: producers, retailers, 
industry, consumers and NGOs. It focuses its work on major issues, such as employment, fair 
relations  among  actors  of  the  chain,  internal  and  external  industrial  competitiveness, 
digitalisation,  price  transparency  and  sustainability  which  are  related  to  the  Commission 
policy priorities. The High Level Forum was also task by the European Council of 9 March to 
address the issue of dual food quality.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

- The High Level Forum for a Better  Functioning Food Supply Chain was renewed in  June 
2015 for 4 years. Two Sherpa Its first meeting at Sherpa level meetings took place in February 
2016  (from  budget  of  2016,  under  non-COSME  budget  line)  ,  and  was  the  opportunity  to 
define  the  priorities  of  the  new  Forum,  which  are:  fight  against  unfair  business  to  business 
trading  practices,  promote  the  competitiveness  of  the  EU  food  sector,  and  support  price 
monitoring. Second Sherpa meeting agreed on a draft Work Programme to submit to the High 
Level Forum. Important discussions also took place with relation to the input of the Group to 
the  potential  initiative  on  unfair  trading  practices.  These  3  areas  on  which  the  Forum  will 
focus its efforts at EU level will have major benefits for SMEs, producers, consumers as well 
as national and local authorities.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

-  Further  issues  on  which  the  work  of  the  Forum  will  focus,  and  which  will  benefit 
companies, consumers as well as Member States will be digitalisation, sustainability and jobs 
creation,  dual  quality  of  foodstuffs,  barriers  to  single  market,  sharing  knowledge  on  private 
labels and creation of the EU level price composition indicator - #foodeuro.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

-  MEETINGS  FORESEEN:  SHERPA  MEETINGS;  TWO  EXPERT  GROUP  MEETINGS  AND  HIGH  LEVEL 
FORUM MEETING.  THE MANDATE OF THE FORUM WILL EXPIRE IN 2019.  

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION.   

-  Foreseen  initial  budget  10.000  EUR.  Finally  no  budget  (0  EUR)  was  committed  in  2015 
under COSME.  

116 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

- N/A 
As  regards  the  High  Level  Forum  for  a  Better  Functioning  Food  Supply  Chain,  the 
implementing body is unit D3 of DG GROW.  

GRO/SME/15/F/S217  -  Activities  related  to  the  work  of  the  Expert 
Group for Bio-based Products 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  bio-based  products  industry  has  been  selected  for  the  Lead  Market  Initiative  being 
considered  as  a  sector  with  potential  for  creation  of  high-skill  jobs  and  growth.  The 
Commission  Expert  Group  for  Bio-based  Products  has  as  one  of  its  tasks  to  propose  to  the 
European Commission demand-side industrial policy actions conducive to the market uptake 
of  bio-based  products  and  processes,  including  public  procurement  and  other  market  pull 
measures. For this purpose the Expert Group has been gathering insights, experiences and best 
practices  regarding  public  procurement  programs  from  policy  makers,  industry  and  public 
procurers. These have been used as input for the development of concrete recommendations 
for setting up policy actions. 
The workshop presented and gathered feedback on the draft recommendations and findings, 
which have been elaborated by the Working Group on Public Procurement. The aim was to 
receive  critical  input  and  a  "reality  check"  by  national  and  regional  public  procurers  from 
different  Member  States,  in  order  to  make  sure  that  the  policy  recommendations  are  clear, 
effective and feasible.  

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

Based  on  the  input  received  in  this  workshop,  the  Expert  Group  for  Bio-based  Products 
finalised its recommendations on the public procurement of bio-based products and published 
them on 12 April 2016. http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/21463 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  Expert  Group  has  prioritized  the  implementation  actions  of  its  recommendations.  The 
recommendations  will  be  part  of  the  final  report  which  shall  be  published  at  the  end  of  the 
Expert Group's mandate by end of 2017.  

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT:  
END OF THE PROJECT:  
n.a.  –  action is implemented 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Low value procedure under 15.000 Euro, order form under FWC with AMEX. 25.000 Euro 
initial budget available and committed – 13.472,37 Euro paid. 

6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

PNO Consulting, AMEX. 

GRO/SME/15/F/S218 – International BIO Convention  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The  BIO  International  Convention  is  the  world’s  largest  life  science,  pharma  and  biotech 
event which takes place annually attracting more than 15,000 attendees from ca. 60 countries. 
Since 2004 is the EC (DG ENTR, RTD, SANCO, EMA) present at the BIO Convention as an 
exhibitor. 
The  main  objective  of  the  measure  is  to  support  the  European  biotechnology  and 
pharmaceutical  sector  and  boost  its  innovativeness,  global  competitiveness  and  visibility. 
Besides  disseminating  information  on  the  EC's  biotechnology,  healthcare  and  SME/industry 
related activities (research and SME funding instruments, industrial and pharma policy, health 
legislation  and  regulatory  environment,  cluster  support,  etc.),  the  Commission’s  presence 
serves also as a meeting and networking hub for the European biotech and health care related 
networks,  clusters,  industry  and  trade  associations  which  otherwise  would  not  be  able  to 
afford a presence at the BIO Convention.  
- Rent for the exhibition space 
-  Logistics,  installation,  maintenance  and  dismantling  of  the  EC  pavilion  (via  a  competent 
operator) 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

More  than  500  visitors  passed  by  at  the  EC  pavilion  gathering  information  materials.  All 
together  we  carried  out  more  than  50  one-on-one  talks  at  our  pavilion  informing  interested 
visitors  in-depth  about  our  activities,  programs  and  initiatives  mostly  regarding  the  EMA's 
regulatory work, public funding program for research and drug development (Horizon 2020, 
COSME), cluster support, etc. 12 mini-workshops took place at the EC pavilion organised by 
our  stakeholders  (European  Medicines  Agency,  Innovative  Medicines  Initiative,  Enterprise 
Europe Network, cluster and business associations, etc.). The mini-events were well attended 
with an own pavilion. DG GROW D3 organised and moderated a session in the Educational 
Programming. It focused on the biosimilar competition in Europe and featured our work on 
biosimilar medicinal products. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  funding  of  the  BIO  Convention  project  by  DG  GROW  was  discontinued.  The 
Commission's presence will be ensured by DG RTD in the future. 

4. INDICATORS 

Number of visitors: 500+ 
Number of mini-workshop at pavilion: 12 

118 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
– 
GRO/SME/15/F/S219 
pharmaceutical industry 

Industrial  Policy 

Initiative 

for 

the 

  MULTISTAKEHOLDERS  WORKSHOP  ON  THE  PHARMACEUTICAL  INDUSTRY  (15/4/2015, 

RIGA, LATVIA). 

  MULTISTAKEHOLDER  WORKSHOP  ON  UPTAKE  OF  AND  ACCESS  TO  BIOSIMILAR 

MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (6/10/2015, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM) 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective was to facilitate exchange of information/views on issues relating to pricing & 
reimbursement decisions on pharmaceuticals, on uptake of biosimilar medicinal products and 
pharmaceutical policies in general, between member states representatives and other relevant 
stakeholders  such  as  the  pharmaceutical  industry,  patients,  insurers,  etc.  Pricing  and 
reimbursement decisions are exclusively national competency so any exchange of information 
is important for involved parties. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The  topics  discussed  in  multi  stakeholders  meetings  (including  the  workshop  on  uptake  of 
biosimilars)  enabled  exchange  of  views  on  national  policies  relating  to  pricing  & 
reimbursement of pharmaceuticals and the impact of biosimilar competition on their uptake. 
This  type  of  collaboration  has  been  taken  forward  by  the  current  Dutch  Presidency;  it  is 
mentioned in a set of Council Conclusions scheduled for adoption by EPSCO Council in June 
2016. The draft text underlined the importance of continuing multi stakeholders meetings in 
the area of pharmaceuticals.  

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Continue  facilitation  of  this  kind  of  collaboration,  based  on  the  interest  expressed  by  the 
participants. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Further  concrete  steps  not  decided  yet  (the  next  stakeholder  workshop  on  biosimilars  took 
place on 20 June 2016). 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Implementation under existing FWCs (order forms). 
65.000 EUR initially allocated, 47.500 EUR committed, 17.500 EUR reallocated, 39.434,62 
paid. 

6. INDICATORS 

MULTI  STAKEHOLDERS  WORKSHOP  ON  THE  PHARMACEUTICAL  INDUSTRY  (15/4/2015,  RIGA, 
LATVIA): 

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  targeted  participants  were  all  present:  29  MS  and  EEA  countries,  6  organisations  of 
public interest, 6 organisations of private interest, 4 Commission services and a decentralised 
agency (EMA). 
Two  meetings  per  year  back  to  back  with  a  Presidency  event  sponsored  by  DG  GROW  on 
related subjects (CAPR). 
Detailed minutes approved by the participants published on CIRCA. 
MULTI  STAKEHOLDER  WORKSHOP  ON  UPTAKE  OF  AND  ACCESS  TO  BIOSIMILAR  MEDICINAL 
PRODUCTS: 
The  target  number  of  participants  (80)  have  been  reached  (98).  The  target  number  of 
participants from Member States and public interest organisations (patients and doctors, each 
15) have been reached as well (19 MS, 20 doctors', 21 patients' representatives).  
Report on biosimilar competition and on event outcome published on website (number of hits: 
to be added). http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-
databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8969 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Marsh, AMEX, Eurest, expert. 
The  action  is  beneficial  to  all  participants  who  can  network  and  learn  from  each  other  on 
current trends regarding pricing and reimbursement and sustainability of their systems. These 
meetings  are  especially  important  for  the  industry,  as  they  have  very  few  opportunities  to 
discuss with MS in particular on pharmaceuticals and notably issues concerning pricing and 
reimbursement policies of pharmaceuticals. 

GRO/SME/15/F/S224  -  Conference  on  construction  with  the  Latvian 
presidency 
Ad-hoc  grant  to  Latvian  Presidency  of  the  Council  for  the  organisation  of  a  conference  to 
raise  the  political  profile  of  construction  regarding  its  contribution  to  the  achievement  of 
Europe 2020 - EU Construction Week 2015 in Latvia 
SI2.708821 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The objective of the action, the EU Construction Week 2015 in Latvia, was to address some 
of  the  specific  topics  for  the  construction  sector,  in  particular  energy  efficiency, 
standardisation  and  safety  aspects  and  also  to  add  the  visibility  to  the  sector,  in  line  with 
relevant COM policies. The action brought together professionals working in various aspects 
of commercial and residential construction, research, planning and design, inspection as well 
as policy makers from the Baltic Sea Region and the EU level. The event  provided a forum 
for the exchange of ideas and best practice in promoting sustainable construction for SMEs. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The action was implemented via a series of events focusing on various construction topics on 
2-5  June  2015.  Seven  events/meetings/conferences  were  attended  by  more  than  600 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
participants  (local,  regional,  European).  The  topics  primarily  discussed  were  energy 
efficiency, standardisation and safety in the construction sector, which all matter for SMEs in 
the  sector.  The  events  served  as  fora  for  awareness  raising,  exchange  of  information,  good 
practice, views on tackling the future challenges and overall vision for the discussed topics, at 
level appropriate to the participants. 
A 
of 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HXhr4CJ9Bg  
The action tackled the climate change indirectly, as the energy efficiency in the construction 
sector was one of its prominent topics. 
The action was fully implemented, primarily during that  week. Latvia will repeat the action 
also in 2016 (31/5-3/6), although at national level only.    

summary 

overview 

available 

action 

short 

and 

the 

at 

is 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The action was fully implemented on 19/5-18/6 2015, no follow-up funded from COSME is 
expected. Latvia will repeat the action also in 2016 at national level, and plan to do it in 2017 
as well. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): NO 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 19 MAY 2015 (RETROACTOIVITY CLAUSE) 
END OF THE PROJECT: 18 JUNE 2015 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Awarded amount: 39.245,12 
Finally paid amount: 22.063,38 
It was a grant to Presidency, so no other offers were received. 

6. INDICATORS 

The objective of this measure was to enhance dialogue with various stakeholders in order to 
discuss how to address challenges of the Union economy, to build and disseminate sectorial 
knowledge, to increase coherence and cooperation between Member States. Also to raise the 
political profile of construction regarding its contribution to the achievement of Europe 2020 
targets. 
The  events  of  the  action  took  place,  with  a  good  participation  of  local,  regional  and 
international  experts.  The  relevant  topics  were  discussed,  conclusions  were  adopted  and 
information about that was widely disseminated. The most of the events were part of a "long 
term process" of addressing the challenges to the construction sector. The action is possible to 
see as another step in achieving the EU goals in the construction sector at national, regional 
and EU level, especially in the areas of energy efficiency, standardisation and safety aspects.  

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

The action was implemented by the Latvian Presidency, represented by the Construction State 
Control Bureau of Latvia. 

121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GRO/SME/15/S226 - EBO - European Business Organisations 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

Support  the  EBO  Worldwide  Network  (http://www.ebowwn.com/)  in  order  to  prepare 
international activities/visits and disseminate EU information in the interest of the European 
Industry abroad 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015 

The two meetings of the network organised per year (one in Brussels – earlier this week) and 
one outside the EU (last one was in Seoul in Dec. 2016) aim at ensuring a two-way flow of 
information between EBOs and the Commission and EEAS, including several DGs (TRADE, 
DEVCO, ECFIN, FPI, etc.) on different topics such (i) harnessing globalisation, (ii) economic 
diplomacy,  (iii)  FTA  implementation,  (iv)  various  EU  programmes  supporting  business 
internationalisation, (v) EU-Africa new impetus for partnership. 
The  network  of  EBOs  help  also  them  to  share  best  practices  in  terms  of  e.g.  governance, 
financing, preparation of individual position papers. This is helpful for preparing the ground 
for  setting  new  EU  chambers  of  commerce  and  industry  in  other  countries,  e.g.  in  Latin 
America  or  Africa  (but  EBOs  remain  a  bottom  up  initiative  in  the  hands  of  European 
businesses – we don't fund them). GROW support is only for the travel and accommodation 
cost of the two annual meeting of EBOWWN, not to fund EBOs as such. 
EBOWWN  also  prepare  joint  position  papers,  such  as  the  one  EU  economic  diplomacy 
available  on  the  website.  Representative  of  EBOWWN  presented  it  at  the  EPSC  event  on 
economic diplomacy organised in Brussels last year. 
In  general  EBOs  and  the  network  provide  precious  info  from  European  business  on  the 
ground in third country markets, opportunities, problems and possible solutions. They are well 
connected to the EU Delegations as well as to the MS chambers of commerce and industry, 
the MS Trade promotion organisations, and the EU initiatives on the ground such as the EU 
SME  center  in  China,  ELAN  biz  in  LA,  etc.,  therefore  contributing  to  a  more  joined-up 
Europe regarding the internationalisation of EU businesses. 
All EBOs member of the EBOWWN are registered in the transparency register. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

YEARLY SUPPORT MEASURE 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 
1ST JAN 2015 – 31 DEC 2015 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

EXPERT REIMBURSEMENTS: 85.000€ 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. INDICATORS 

Number of meetings organised per year and attendance by the EBOs: 2 in 2015 
Improved access to markets inside the Union and at global level 

7. BENEFICIARIES

iii 

European Business Organisations 

GRO/SME/15/F/S228  -  Workshop  on  the  cumulative  impact  of  EU 
regulations in the chemicals industry  

VALIDATION  WORKSHOP  FOR  STUDY  ON  THE  CUMULATIVE  COST  ASSESSMENT 
(CCA) FOR THE EU CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, 21 September 2015, CC Albert Borschette 
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8389  

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

As  specified  in  the  technical  specifications  of  the  CCA  study,  after  more  than  a  year  of 
managing  the  contract  for  the  study  on  Cumulative  Cost  Assessment,  the  Validation 
workshop took place, gathering a big and balanced audience of stakeholders which expressed 
interest in testing the plausibility of the preliminary results achieved. The representatives from 
Member  States,  industry  associations,  chemical  companies,  trade  unions  and  environmental 
associations, as well as our colleagues from inside the Commission who closely followed the 
process  –  DG  GROW,  ENV,  DG  CLIMA,  SG,  JRC  Petten,  and  the  European  Chemicals 
Agency ECHA – were present in order to comment upon the work done by the contractor. 
The draft results were presented for the first time.  
The study results are linked to  a broad  Better Regulation agenda. REFIT  evaluations feed 
into  future  policy  making.  Chemicals  legislation  has  been  identified  as  the  one  among  the 
most burdensome areas for the EU SMEs. CCAs are a tool under REFIT used to contribute to 
other  complementary  studies  (i.e.  international  comparison  of  the  regulatory  costs  =  CCA 
Phase 2), broader fitness checks and review of REACH.  
A Communication on REFIT (SWD(2014) 192 final, June 2014) highlights that "A package 
of  initiatives  covering  regulatory  fitness  of  the  chemical  sector  will  be  launched  in  2014, 
including a Cumulative Cost Assessment and a Fitness Check of the most relevant chemicals 
legislation other than REACH" and "Two CCAs on the steel and aluminium industries have 
already  been  completed,  a  CCA  has  started  on  the  chemical  industry  and  more  work  is 
planned for the forest based industries, the ceramics and glass industry and the construction 
sector. CCAs provide industry-wide assessments of a variety of key cost factors. Given their 
limited scope and the focus on regulatory costs rather than benefits, CCAs cannot be the sole 
basis for policy recommendations. Their results will feed into evaluations, Fitness Checks and 
impact assessments." 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The study as such also analysed the regulatory cost of the climate change legislation among 
other  priority  legislative  areas.  While  it  has  been  a  fact-finding  exercise,  not  intended  to 
produce any policy recommendations at this stage, its findings will be further assessed under 
other  follow-up  actions  as  part  of  the  overall  regulatory  environment  for  the  EU  chemical 
industry.   
The results show that "emissions and industrial processes" legislative package is responsible 
for  1/3  of  total  regulatory  costs  of  the  EU  chemical  industry.  Thus,  the  climate  change 
legislation  under  this  package  and  possibilities  for  reduction  of  regulatory  costs,  without 
compromising  on  other  objectives,  will  continue  to  be  an  important  study  area  under  the 
follow-up actions.   
The  Validation  workshop  on  the  Cumulative  Cost  Assessment  (CCA)  for  the  EU  chemical 
industry,  chaired  by  DG  GROW.D2,  was  attended  by  the  consultant  Technopolis  Group, 
several  chemical  companies  that  contributed  with  the  data,  industry  associations  from  the 
chemical 
(detergents,  crop  protection,  chemical  distributors,  petrochemical 
producers…),  a  few  MS  representatives,  the  Commission  services  (GROW,  CLIMA,  ENV, 
JRC  Petten,  SG),  ECHA  chemical  agency  and  one  European  trade  union,  as  well  as  by  Mr 
Daniele Colombo, who performed the peer-review. The workshop as attended altogether by ~ 
42 participants. 
For the first time the results of the study were presented by the consultant Technopolis Group 
to the audience. The workshop served for testing the draft results on the regulatory costs of 
the assessed chemical subsectors and how to put them into a broader context. It discussed how 
to demonstrate the soundness of the results of the CCA study, possible additional validation 
steps  to  reinforce  the  study  and  interpretation  of  conclusions  which  were  tested  with  the 
opinion from the audience.  The feedback on the results and charts  were cross-checked with 
the sectorial knowledge from participants. The analysis and discussion on this "fact-finding" 
exercise  helped  to  spot  weak  points  and  areas  that  shall  be  further  studied  as  case  studies 
under  the  2  related  studies,  i.e.  the  International  comparison  of  regulatory  costs  and  the 
Fitness Check of the chemical legislation (other than REACH). 

field 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Follow up actions:  
1- International comparison of the EU regulatory costs 
2- Fitness check of the chemical legislation (other than REACH) 
3-  REACH  review  2017  [as  a  preparation  to  the  next  evaluation  of  REACH  in  2017,  DG 
GROW is launching or has conducted already several studies: 
- Study to monitor the impacts of the REACH Regulation on innovation, competitiveness and 
SMEs  (finalized  in  December  2015)  and  2  upcoming  studies  –  under  GROW.D1 
responsibility.] 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

Workshop already took place: 21 September 2015 in Brussels. 
Related:  
1) study International comparison of cumulative regulatory costs for the chemical industry  - 
Considerations on competitiveness issues concerning the sector – end of the study expected in 
Q3 2017, publication of the call = 10/12/2015 (contract notice), starting date of the contract 
02/05/2016. 

124 

 
 
 
 
2) Fitness check of the chemical legislation (other than REACH)  – to be completed in 2017 
(end  of  the  key  supporting  study  expected  in  Q4  2016).  Further  detail  in  the  published 
roadmap. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Initially reserved amount:15.000 euros 
Committed:  2.600  euros  (sandwich  lunch  &  payment  of  the  independent  peer  reviewer 
included)  
no travel expenses offered 
Low value procedure < 15.000 euros used. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Expert performing a peer-review of the study and actively participating in the Workshop. 

GRO/SME/15/F/S229  -  High-level  Conference  on  Sustainable  and 
Clean Industries 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

One-day conference. 
Panellists  from  different  sectors  and  different  company  sizes,  from  global  conglomerates  to 
innovative SMEs. 
Two commissioners and a vice-president gave speeches. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

SMEs have shown an active participation in the conference.  
The  success  of  the  conference  inspired  the  creation  of  the  High  Level  Expert  Group  on 
Energy Intensive Industries, first meeting of which took place 18th of December 2015. 
The  outcome  of  the  conference  has  contributed  to  the  development  of  EURICS  (European 
Integrated  Research,  Innovation  and  Competitiveness  Strategy  that  has  an  important  SME 
dimension. 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

Due to budget restrictions follow-up conferences have not been foreseen. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): N/A 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: N/A 
END OF THE PROJECT: 03.03.2015 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

125 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13013.93€  COMMITMENT  (SI2.702011)    FOR  PAYMENT  OF  HOTEL  INVOICE–  NEGOTIATED 
PROCEDURE VIA PURCHASE ORDER. 

6. INDICATORS 

150 PARTICIPANTS 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

N/A 

GRO/SME/15/F/S230  -  Conference  on  Social  Economy  and  Social 
Enterprises under the LU Presidency. 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

The Luxemburgish EU Council Presidency organized a Conference on Social Economy and 
Social  Enterprises  on  the  3rd  and  4th  of  December  2015  in  Luxembourg  (Plateau  du 
Kirchberg).  
Social  Economy  was  one  of  the  priorities  of  the  Luxembourgish  Presidency.  The 
Luxemburgish  government is  convinced that  social economy can  contribute  to  an economic 
transformation that would serve employment, social justice and sustainable development, both 
nationally  and  at  EU  level.  The  Conference  was  in  line  with  our  policy  carried  out  via  the 
Social Business Initiative and dedicated actions for the development of social economy.  
The  Conference  is  the  continuity  of  the  conferences  organized  by  the  Greek  Presidency  in 
June 2014 in Heraklion and the Italian Presidency in November 2014 in Rome. The targeted 
audience  consisted  in  experts  and  representatives  of  the  different  administrations  of  the 
Member States (economy and finance and/or social affairs mainly) as well as of national and 
European organizations /institutions.  
The Commission co-financed via an Adhoc grant the event. 
HTTP://WWW.EU2015LU.EU/EN/AGENDA/2015/12/03-04-CONF-ECONOMIE-
SOCIALE/INDEX.HTML 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The conference gathered around 350 persons to discuss issues related to social enterprises. It 
was  an  opportunity  to  comment  the  Council  Conclusions  on  Social  Economy  adopted  the 
same week. 
A  GECES  meeting  took  place  in  Luxembourg  at  the  same  time  in  order  to  progress  on  the 
expert report that was published in October 2016. 
During that conference, the representatives of the Governments of France, Italy, Luxembourg, 
Slovak  Republic,  Slovenia  and  Spain  adopted  a  declaration  paving  the  way  for  a  more 
comprehensive ecosystem for social economy enterprises in Europe. 
http://www.eu2015lu.eu/fr/actualites/communiques/2015/12/04-declaration-luxembourg/ 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  GECES  report  was  endorsed  in  October  2016  and  led  to  the  preparation  of  different 
actions  for the social economy. Those  actions  are currently being implemented  at European 
and MS level. Based on the success of the LU Conference, SK prepared another Conference 
in December 2016 in Bratislava.   

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 01.11.2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 04.12.2015 (END OF THE CONFERENCE) 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

Commitment: € 100 000 
Final report received. 

6. INDICATORS 

Number of persons present: 350  
Numerous best practices exchanged within stakeholders to overcome challenges of the social 
economy, to build and disseminate knowledge and to increase cooperation between them. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Luxemburgish  Ministry  of  Labour,  Employment  and  Social  and  Solidarity  Economy 
(MTEESS) 

GRO/SME/15/F/S234  -  European  Smart  and  Living  City  Conference 
2015 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

European Smart and Living City Conference 2015 
The  objectives  of  this  conference    was  to  bring  together  high-level  European,  national  and 
regional  cluster,  entrepreneurship  and  SME  policy  makers,  business  organisations  and 
business representatives, researchers and practitioners to present and debate the latest policy 
priorities,  opportunities  and  challenges  for  making  better  use  of  smart  city  and  mobile 
applications/services to support growth and a more entrepreneurial and competitive Europe. 
Day  1  of  the  conference  consisted  of  4  modules,  each  including  public  and  private 
perspectives,  concrete  case  study  illustrations  as  well  as  interactive  roundtable  discussions: 
Digital for growth (EU & Lux policy initiatives); Smart skills for smart cities (competences, 
co-working  &  collaborative  innovation  platforms);  Smart  buildings  for  a  better  living 
(sustainable building, green electricity, living city); Paris Smart City 2050.  
Day  2  was  organised  as  a  series  of  parallel  co-creation  workshops  where  participants  co-
created Luxembourg's Living City concept, highlighting elements that would be replicable in 
other European cities. 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  conference  was  organized  by  Luxinnovation,  the  national  innovation  agency,  and 
Neobuild,  the  technological innovation  pole  for sustainable construction,  under the auspices 
of the Luxembourg EU Presidency in close collaboration with EASME and the Commission 
services.   

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The  1  1/2  day  conference,  which  took  place  in  Luxembourg  on  1-2  December  2015,  was 
entitled    "Disrupt  Your  City  to  Smarten  It  Up!",  and  it  brought  together  more  than  300 
stakeholders from across Europe with a strong presence of smart city & digital entrepreneurs. 
Bringing  stakeholders  from  across  Europe  together  to  exchange  concrete  experience  and 
views on pertinent topics related to smart city development and urban living has ensured that 
different  regional  and  national  policies,  initiatives  and  practices  have  been  shared  and 
disseminated  across  Europe.  Especially  the  co-creation  workshops  directly  engaged 
participants  in  dialogues  on  what  works  and  what  doesn't,  under  which  circumstances  and 
how  best  to  go  about  implementing  new  smart  solutions  in  cities.  These  exchanges  should 
inspire  future  initiatives  and  actions  in  Europe  and  open  up  for  more  networking  and 
collaboration across regions and between cities. 
On  25  March  2016,  the  Lux  organisers  together  with  the  Luxembourg  Smart  City  Institute 
held a workshop "Smart and Living Cities" as a follow-up to the conference  to extract lessons 
from the conference and continue the reflections on how to best design the cities of the future. 
The workshop gathered representatives of city administrations, developers, energy providers, 
urbanists, architects and entrepreneurs.  
The  final  report  was  submitted  on  28  September  2016  and  the  final  payment  effected  on  8 
December 2016. 

YouTube video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNIHZC8M0GY 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

N/A. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION OF THE CALL (WHERE RELEVANT): 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 17 JULY 2015 
END OF THE PROJECT: 16 JULY 2016 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The budget available for the conference was €150.000 representing max. 60% of total costs.  
Ad-hoc  grant  to  Luxinnovation  and  Neobuild  in  the  context  of  the  Luxembourg  EU 
Presidency. 

6. INDICATORS 

1.  N°  of  participants  attending  the  conference:  While  the  target  was  350  participants,  200+ 
persons  attended  the  event.  The  shortfall  was  mainly  due  to  'competition'  from  other  LUX 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presidency events which were clustered around the same dates as well as the popularity of the 
Smart city concept in other international events.  
2.  Level  and  quality  of  invited  speakers  and  experts:  As  planned,  the  level  and  quality  was 
high which was clearly reflected in the participant evaluations. 
3.  Degree  of  satisfaction  with  conference  content,  format  and  practical  organisation  as 
measured through post-conference evaluation survey of participants and speakers: The overall 
satisfaction rate was high. 

7. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Luxinnovation & Neobuild. 

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURES 

GRO/SME/15/F/S015 - Corporate communication campaign on COSME 
benefits for SMEs 

1. DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTED MEASURE 

As the COSME programme was not well known yet, a corporate campaign was necessary to 
raise  awareness  of  its  benefits  for  SMEs.  Moreover,  the  campaign  contributed,  in  certain 
cases, to the achievements of COSME’s objectives (by calling, for example, SME owners for 
the action of making use of the EEN’s local support services).   
The  corporate  communication  campaign  on  COSME  benefits  for  SMEs  targeted  9  million 
SMEs owners in Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy and Spain. The Member States were selected 
on the basis of different criteria: (i) low economic outlook, (ii) bad framework conditions for 
SMEs, and (iii) lack of engagement with the European project and rising euro scepticism. It 
was  rolled  out  in  two  phases:  Spring  2015(radio)  and  Autumn  2015  (online  and  print 
advertising). 
The objectives of the communication strategy for SMEs were: 
>Filling the gap between SMEs needs and available opportunities 
>Bringing corporate and political communication together 
>Defining the narrative with a "go local" approach 
>Continuously assessing the impact of our actions 
This action is therefore in line with the long-term strategy on how best to communicate the 
COSME programme. 

2. RESULTS AND IMPACT IN 2015-2016 

The  campaign  was  properly  customised  for  each  target  Member  State  depending  on  the 
current  situation of the media  market and the SMEs sector. The main target  group included 
owners and managers of SMEs and, indirectly, potential entrepreneurs and the general public.  
The implementation of the campaign was based on a mix of communication tools combining 
traditional  media  (such  as  radio,  print  and  outdoor  advertising)  and  digital  media  (such  as 
online newspapers and news media). 
A quick look at the impact: 
First phase (radio advertising): from 27/04 – 30/06/2015 in all countries 
> 5 million listeners (among SMEs owners) and 
> 23 million contacts 
Second phase (print and online advertising): from 11/09 to 30/10/2015 in 3 countries 
> 13 million readers and 
> 16 million of ad -impressions/views and an average Click Through Rate of 0.14%. 
More specifically, the impact of the radio campaign (27/04 – 30/06/2015) was: 

130 

 
 
 
 
 
Contacts received by the EEN (telephone/email) 

3. OUTLOOK: WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE AFTER 2015/2016? 

The  campaign  finalised  by  end  of  2015  and  the  results  were  indeed  presented  and 
communicated  to  different  Commission  services  such  as  the  External  Communication 
Network, and to stakeholders. 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CALENDAR 

PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CALL  (WHERE  RELEVANT):  INVITATION  TO  TENDERS  WERE  SENT  (BY 
EMAIL AND POST) ON 29 JULY 2014 
FORESEEN STARTING DATE OF THE CONTRACT: 5 DECEMBER 2014 
END OF THE PROJECT: NOVEMBER 2015 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION 

The available budget (€ 863,614.00 on budget line n° 02.010401)  was committed, since  the 
contract for the implementation of the campaign was awarded to Mostra for a total amount of 
€ 862.591,80.  

6. BENEFICIARIES/CONTRACTORS 

Mostra 

131