Since being founded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry over a year ago, the Enterprise Europe Network has become a point of reference in cross-border and EU-related matters for companies in more than 40 countries.

A main focal point of the Network lies in providing information on funding opportunities open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Possibilities include EU funding through the Structural Funds, general SME funding from governments or banks, the Commission's project for 'Supporting the internationalisation of SMEs', the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) and others. Enterprise Europe Network's activities, though, go further. Network experts are able to help SMEs apply for funding and offer advice on EU legislation and policies. In addition, Enterprise Europe seeks to involve SMEs and other businesses in the policy making process.

Among Enterprise Europe Network's other roles are to bring together business and research, facilitate the search for partners in other countries and promote the transfer of technology from the drawing board to the market.

An important feature in all of these activities is Enterprise Europe Network's local presence. To ensure wide coverage, the Network is composed of 600 local partner organisations, including chambers of commerce and industry, research and development organisations, universities, regional development agencies, national SME associations, regional governments and even national state banks. Together, they deploy a workforce of around 3,000 business support experts.

The experience and skills within the local teams of the Network are one of the greatest contributors to Enterprise Europe's success. 'Internally we have an experienced and well-skilled team,' Chris Farmakis of Greater London Enterprise in the United Kingdom states. 'I have participated in projects since 1995. I have been an evaluator and I have R&D (research and development) experience as well as business and commercial experience, so I can cover a company's requirements for definitions and practical support.'

At this point, the Network covers 44 countries, including 27 EU Member States, three EU candidate countries (Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey), members of the European Economic Area and other third countries. There is also significant interest in collaboration from other third countries.

For more information, please visit CORDIS web-site.