Source: European Parliament
The Commission is deploying the InvestEU Innovation and Digitalisation Guarantee[1] — a pan-European instrument implemented by the European Investment Fund (EIF)[2] and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for digitalisation of their business models, supply chain management, business development, cybersecurity, training and upskilling .
Equity support for start-ups in the area of EU’s digital transformation and independence is equally available under InvestEU[3].
Under the Pact for Skills[4], the Commission supports the development of digital skills in SMEs. A large-scale partnership is governed by the European Digital SME Alliance[5] and other organisations that are either SMEs or support skills development in SMEs.
Activities include matchmaking events to improve access to finance, analyses of skills bottlenecks and definition of key performance indicators.
As digital skills are important for all industrial ecosystems, regular information activities and events ensure smooth dialogue and coordination across all sectors.
The Commission is committed to enhancing the competitiveness and fostering the adoption of breakthrough technologies by SMEs by implementing several initiatives[6] not only to reduce the cost of accessing advanced technologies, but also to ensure that European SMEs can fully participate in the EU’s digital transformation.
The Commission will shortly present a third Omnibus, including on small mid-caps and removal of paper requirements.
- [1] https://www.eif.org/InvestEU/guarantee_products/index.htm
- [2] https://www.eif.org/index.htm
- [3] https://www.eif.org/InvestEU/equity_products/index.htm
- [4] https://pact-for-skills.ec.europa.eu/about/industrial-ecosystems-and-partnerships/digital_en
- [5] https://www.digitalsme.eu/
- [6] European Digital Innovation Hubs; Artificial Intelligence Innovation Package; Digital Single Market Strategy etc.