The Enterprise Europe Network in the Basque Country 2025-2028

ongoing

Advancing digital and sustainability transitions in a fair and structured way to preserve our planet is one of humanity's greatest challenges. The current climate of uncertainty adds complexity, making it crucial to implement ambitious yet realistic initiatives that ensure citizen well-being, competitiveness, and resilience. In light of these considerations, the Basque Country's unique context calls for specific policy measures to enhance competitiveness in its industrial SMEs. Over the past two decades, the Basque government has prioritized investing in innovation, creating an environment conducive to business investment in these areas. As a result, research, development, and innovation spending exceeds 2% of the region's GDP. However, Basque SMEs still face significant barriers to innovation. These include difficulties accessing financing, a lack of skilled staff, limited understanding of innovation management, unfamiliarity with the European Single Market and foreign markets, bureaucratic obstacles, and restricted access to R&D and technology transfer expertise. In response to these challenges, the EEN BASQUE II project aims to accelerate the Basque Strategy for R&D and Innovation in Europe. Its goal is to support the international expansion of SMEs with potential for growth in the European Single Market and other foreign markets, particularly those offering technological or innovative products, processes, or services. EEN BASQUE II builds on the achievements of the previous projects and is set to become the primary tool for internationalizing the R&D and innovation activities of Basque SMEs. It will focus on helping businesses navigate the twin transitions of digitalisation and sustainability, strengthening their resilience. Moreover, the project will enhance collaboration with the regional business support ecosystem, ensuring SMEs have the resources and expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.