1 st December 2003, Milan

Roundtable “Discussion on the need for better co-ordinated actions

at EU level”

Moderator: Hans-Werner Müller – UEAPME Secretary General

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

UEAPMEUnion Européenne de l’Artisanat et des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises

« The Voice of SMEs in Europe » Non-profit and non-partisan organisation Recognised European Social Partner 75 member organisations in 30 countries represents 10 million enterprises

with 50 million employees in Europe 7 million enterprises with 30 million employees

in the EU

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

BARCELONA 2002: 3% target R&D

In 2010 3% GDP to R&D1% government, 2% private sector

at present only 2%R&D: universities + large companies on

USA/Japan levelSMEs spent too little on R&D/InnovationBarcelona target will never be achieved Barcelona target will never be achieved

without SMEswithout SMEs

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

6th Framework Programme on R&D 1

Total budget: 16 billion euro (2002-2006)SME budget: 2.1 billion euro = 13%

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

6th Framework Programme on R&D 2

Integrated Thematic Projects80% of SME budgetProjects: large budget, long-lasting, high techResults: 10% participation instead of 15%

budget under utilised

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

6th Framework Programme on R&D 3

SME specific measures:20% of SME budgetCRAFT (co-operative research)Collective Research + ETI Results: heavy over subscription

only half of good-quality projects awarded

1st December 2003, Milan 2nd session

Framework Programme: FUTUREThis is not acceptable in the spirit of the This is not acceptable in the spirit of the

Lisbon strategy and the Barcelona targetLisbon strategy and the Barcelona targetSolution: 2004: mid-term review FP6

re-allocation from ITPs to SME specificFP7: more SME budget to SME specific,

less to ITPEUROPE NEEDS NOT ONLYEUROPE NEEDS NOT ONLY

NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, BUT ALSO SME INNOVATIONBUT ALSO SME INNOVATION