COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs, running from 2014 to 2020, with a budget of €2.3billion. COSME will support SMEs in the following areas:
- Facilitating access to finance
- Supporting internationalisation and access to markets
- Creating an environment favourable to competitiveness
- Encouraging an entrepreneurial culture
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme_en
ACCESS TO FINANCE
One of COSME’s main objectives is to provide enhanced access to finance for SMEs in different phases of their lifecycle: creation, expansion or business transfer. In order to achieve this objective, the EU will mobilise loans and equity investments for SMEs. • Through the Loan Guarantee Facility, the programme will provide guarantees and counter-guarantees to financial institutions (e.g. guarantee societies, banks, leasing companies) so they can provide more loan and lease finance to SMEs. It is expected that COSME will enable between 220 000 and 330 000 SMEs to obtain financing for a total value of between €14 and €21 billion. • Through the Equity Facility for Growth, the programme will provide risk capital to equity funds investing in SMEs mainly in the expansion and growth-stage phases. The Facility should help between 360 and 560 firms to receive equity investment with an overall volume invested ranging from € 2.6 to € 4 billion.
ACCESS TO MARKETS
COSME provides support to European enterprises so that they can benefit from the EU’s single market and make the most of opportunities offered by markets outside the EU. COSME funds the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) consisting of over 600 offices in more than 50 countries helping SMEs find business and technology partners, understand EU legislation and access EU financing. COSME also funds web tools specifically designed for enterprises development such as Your Europe Business Portal or the SME Internationalisation Portal. The first provides practical online information for entrepreneurs who want to become active in another Member State. The latter puts the emphasis on support measures for companies which want to develop their business outside Europe. COSME finances the ASEAN, China and MERCOSUR Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) SME Helpdesks that offer advice and support to European SMEs facing difficulties in IPR issues, standards or public procurement rules in those geographical areas. The programme also provides financial assistance to the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, to promote all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation by disseminating information on how to access the Japanese market, facilitating exchanges of experience and know-how between EU and Japanese businesses.
CREATING BETTER FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS FOR COMPETITIVENESS
COSME supports actions to improve the framework conditions in which enterprises operate, in particular SMEs, by reducing unnecessary administrative and regulatory burdens. Such actions may include measuring the impact of relevant Union law on SMEs, developing smart and business friendly regulation for them and reinforcing the use of the “Think Small First” principle for policy-making at national and regional level. COSME supports the emergence of competitive industries with market potential, by helping SMEs to take-up new business models and integrate into new value chains. The programme complements the actions of Member States in areas with high growth potential such as the tourism sector. COSME promotes the development of worldclass clusters in the EU, fostering cluster excellence and internationalisation with an emphasis on cross-sectoral cooperation, notably in support of emerging industries. The programme also aims at accelerating the digitalisation of the business community and promoting e-skills and e-leadership.
ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
COSME backs the implementation of the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan through a wide range of activities. These include mobility exchanges, research, best practices diffusion and pilot projects in areas such as entrepreneurship education, mentoring or the development of guidance and support services for new and potential entrepreneurs, including young, women and senior entrepreneurs. Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is for instance a cross-border exchange scheme which aims to help new and aspiring entrepreneurs acquire relevant skills to run and grow a business by working with an experienced entrepreneur in another country for one to six months. It increases their know-how and fosters cross-border transfer of knowledge and experience between entrepreneurs. COSME especially focuses on digital entrepreneurship to help European businesses drive their digital transformation and fully benefit from the unprecedented new opportunities created in the digital era, which are crucial for their competitiveness and growth.
The agreement on Türkiye’s participation in EU Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) was signed in 2014. The Programme, which will be coordinated by KOSGEB, will support establishment of new SMEs and their growth by increasing competitive power of enterprises, strengthening their sustainability and supporting the entrepreneurial culture.
KOSGEB helps enterprises to find right partners and projects as a National Coordinator
COSME Official web site: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme_en
for detailed information please contact: abkoordinasyon@kosgeb.gov.tr
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
Helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions.
The Network is active in more than 60 countries worldwide. It brings together 3,000 experts from more than 600 member organisations – all renowned for their excellence in business support. Member organisations include:
- technology poles
- innovation support organisations
- universities and research institutes
- regional development organisations
- chambers of commerce and industry
Individual businesses can’t become Network members, but they can enjoy the many services offered.
EEN Official web site: https://een.ec.europa.eu/
EEN Türkiye Branches: https://een.ec.europa.eu/about/branches/turkey
for detailed information please contact: abkoordinasyon@kosgeb.gov.tr