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EU Grants Advisor Programme Expands Across 25 Member States with Microsoft, Intel, and HP Commitment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft, Intel, and HP have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand the EU Grants Advisor (EUGA) programme across all 25 EU Member States, committing to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their growth and competitiveness. The programme aims to raise awareness of EU funding opportunities and provide SMEs with easier access to these funds. The EUGA initiative has already shown success in Spain, Hungary, and Poland, and is now being adopted in the Czech Republic and France.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EUGA programme will provide SMEs with access to EU funding opportunities, including grants for technology, employment, and business start-ups.
  • The programme will offer SMEs help with the application process and provide them with pre-defined templates and training to identify the most suitable grants.
  • The MOU also highlights the investment of resources dedicated over the next three years to stimulate SME growth through the EUGA initiative.
  • SMEs create jobs and taxable income, and stimulate innovation, making them a key driving force behind European economic growth.
  • Almost 20 million SMEs in the EU employ 140 million people, who account for 57% of the region's GDP.
  • Intel and HP will contribute to the growth and competitiveness of SMEs through practical support, innovation, collaboration, and partnerships.
  • The private sector is vital in developing the innovation potential of SMEs, as stated by Gunter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission.
  • The success of the EUGA programme in Spain has led to its introduction in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and France.

Statistics:

  • Almost 20 million SMEs in the EU employ 140 million people, who account for 57% of the region's GDP.
  • The majority of the 55% of SMEs currently unaware of available EU funding opportunities that the EUGA programme will raise awareness of.
  • The programme aims to increase the ability of SMEs to benefit from EU funds available.

Sources:

  • European Commission, Gunter Verheugen, Vice President in charge of Enterprise and Industry
  • SME Union, Jacques Santer, President
  • Microsoft, Jean-Philippe Courtois, CEO of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
  • Intel, Gordon Graylish, Director of Marketing, EMEA
  • HP, Ingo Juraske, Vice President of Public Sector, EMEA
  • 2003 Observatory of European SMEs and Europe's Information Society
  • Waggener Edstrom, press release for Microsoft Corp.

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