Enterprise Europe Network Lithuania

ended

The overall objective of the project is to provide growth oriented integrated business and innovation support services in Lithuania, thus contributing to the competitiveness, sustainability and innovative capacity of the Community with the particular attention to the Lithuanian SMEs needs that seek to exploit new opportunities in the Single Market, but also in third countries. Building on the long lasting (all partners constantly improves services towards the SMEs for at least 15 year) practice in EU level business support as well as on partners’ experience in Euro info centre, Innovation Relay Centre and Enterprise Europe Network (2008-2016) the proposed work programme for the Network in Lithuania has following specific objectives: - Provide easy-to-access client-centric services in close proximity to SMEs to become active in the Single Market and beyond (e.g. regarding EU legislation and programmes, EU funding, intellectual property rights), linking up with regional actors and policies; - Ensure that the Network services strongly contributes to international business, technology and research partnership building in the EU, COSME participating countries and third countries; - Increase competitiveness of SMEs by internationalisation and innovation support services; - Raise the awareness of SMEs about EU policy issues and act as a communication channel for the EC with European SMEs; - Strengthen support for SMEs interested in participating in Horizon 2020 and corresponding calls for proposals, in particular encourage SMEs to participate to the SME Instrument; seek cooperation with Horizon 2020 national contact points. - Improve SME’s awareness on access to finance and other EU initiatives such as the Your Europe portal etc. Proposed consortium not only has strong motivation, capacity and experience to represent the Network in Lithuania but also brings significant recognition and support of important international and national stakeholders.