BE2010-CONFERENCESME · SMEs, Research & Innovation: Turning knowledge into profit

SMEs are more than ever a fresh topic raising many questions and expectations for Europe’s future. In this regard, the main concern remains the reinforcement of innovation in SMEs. This issue is taken into account through specific programmes and measures intending to transform the innovation challenge into new business opportunities: the Lisbon Strategy, the support programmes 2007-2013 and the Member States’ strategic plans. The Conference on SMEs, Research and Innovation will be based on these observations and will be held under Belgian Presidency, at the ideal period of re-designing of the FP8 and other major EU support programmes (Structural Funds, CIP,...). The overall purpose of the Conference will be: (1) To take stock of the current situation (the business reality in which SMEs operate, existing SME support measures and incentives for technological innovation, lack of support in areas such as service innovation etc.). The focus of the discussion would be on the creation of synergies between existing support measures at regional, national and European level. This forum will directly raise the awareness of participants towards current measures/instruments and economic opportunities open to them. (2) To prepare a comprehensive vision for future SME Research and Innovation policies. Research, innovation, and SMEs should be tightly linked elements shaping Europe’s future. The idea here is to look beyond the 2013 horizon when FP7 and CIP will be finished. Questions to address could include: how to develop research and innovation policies starting from the needs of SMEs?; what sort of research and innovation programmes best address the needs of SMEs?; what role for the MS / EU?; how to create the conditions and environment that will make SMEs more innovative? The resulting output of the Conference will consist in a strategy paper proposing short term and longer term initiatives, to be submitted to the Competitiveness Council.