Policies to develop entrepreneurship and innovative SMEs in rural areas

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The key policy instruments linked to Investments and Growth are managed mostly from the main cities (regional or national capitals), often disconnected to rural areas, and have less impact in areas of lower population density, in particular the actions towards innovation of the SMEs. The promotion of entrepreneurship spirit has also to be further developed in rural areas, and in particular the promotion of new niches of business opportunities, such as “Energy, Environment, Eco-industries, ICT or Social Innovation”. Rural SMEs aims at improving the policies on regional support systems for entrepreneurs through exchange of experiences and identification of good practices, implementing the lessons learnt in regional action plans to increase the creation of innovative SMEs in rural areas, but also supporting those which are already established to introduce innovation in their dayly activity. To achieve this goal the project envisages the identification, transfer and adoption of projects, measures and policies that would contribute to find out solutions to key challenges that face business development in less populated areas, such as: access to finance; communication and logistics; access to knowledge; innovation services support. In particular, and through the organization of 7 Study visits, 4 Workshops & 2 Seminars, involving the partner’s staff and the relevant regional stakeholders, the project will focus on supporting measures linked to SMEs in all stages of their life cycle to achieve growth and engage in innovation: a) Rural Entrepreneurship (public support, new niches, young entrepreneurs) and b) Innovative Rural SMEs (public support, circular economy, social innovation, etc.).

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