The European Commission has adopted a draft legislative package which will frame cohesion policy for 2014-2020. The new proposals are designed to reinforce the strategic dimension of the policy and to ensure that EU investment is targeted on Europe’s long-term goals for growth and jobs (“Europe 2020”).
Through Partnership Contracts agreed with the Commission, Member States will commit to focussing on fewer investment priorities in line with these objectives. One of the interesting new features is that small companies can now use EU Structural Funds as a guarantee to gain access to credit, allowing investment in enterprises at any stage of their normal business activity and not only at establishment or expansion.
As members of the Federation of Small Businesses we are concerned to make sure that the North East does not miss out on the essential EU funds necessary to support the economic growth and prosperity of the region. We and the fsb hope to meet soon with the regions MEP’s to lobby for our fare share of the funds.
Contact us for more information on the support available for SME’s from the EU