Information for businesses wanting to work in Europe

Useful agencies and contacts

Enterprise Europe Network East of England| (new window)

An EU funded service operated through Business Link. The network offers:

• a one-stop shop enquiry service on EU related questions and issues for enterprise
• Innovation, technology and commercial partnering service
• Assistance to tap into EU funding programmes
• A method for raising concerns at a European level.

Contact details:

Mathilde Murphy through 08457 17 16 15 (option 3)
Email: enterprise.europe@businesslinkeast.org.uk|

East of England International| (new window)

Deliver UK Trade & Investment services and supports regional businesses seeking to win a share of the global market. They offer the following services: 

• Passport to Export (new window) - flexible and subsidised support delivered by personal advisers
• Overseas Market Introduction Service (new window) - an online tool putting companies directly in touch with staff in overseas offices for focused business advice and support
• Export Marketing Research Scheme (new window) - helps British companies research overseas markets prior to entry
• Export Communications Review (new window) - grants access to an accredited export communications consultant who will deliver a report with recommendations tailored to you
• Helix (new window) - for businesses in the food sector looking to grow sales in international markets  

Contact details:

Martin Keepfer: 0845 6419920
Email: martinkeepfer@eeia.com|

EEDA /PERA| (new window)

PERA is a consultancy firm commissioned by EEDA to support East of England businesses to access the Framework 7 Programme (FP7). FP7 is the European Union’s biggest initiative for funding collaborative research and development projects across Europe.  

FP7 proposals should be developed by a collaboration of organisations which may include small to medium sized enterprises, larger businesses and research institutions. There should be representation of at least 3 EU countries.

The FP7 support can help your business access this funding, submitting a bid and/or finding partners.  

Contact details:

Chris Woodward: 0750 008 4422  
Email: chris.woodward@pera.com|

Peter Hamilton 0792 056 3775   
Email: peter.hamilton@pera.com|

Marcus Pearson 0762 056 3555
Email:marcus.pearson@pera.com |

East of England Brussels Office| (new window)

The office assists people, businesses and organisations in the East of England to maximise the benefits of EU membership by:

• Guiding partners through the maze of EU institutions and legislation
• Providing intelligence and advance warning of EU policy and funding developments
• Promoting regional businesses to the rest of the EU, and helping to forge business links throughout Europe
• Creating links through networking and partner searches with other European regions
• Raising the regional profile to key decision-makers in the European institutions

In particular it operates a Business Club to help businesses: tap opportunities; inform them of new relevant policy developments; give advance warning of legislation and contract opportunities; and act as liaison office in Brussels

Contact details:

Alejandro Rodriguez-Ramos - European Business Advisor
Tel: +32 2 289 1200 
Email: alejandro.rodriguez@east-of-england.eu|

Online services and other support 

The Directorate-General (DG) for Enterprise and Industry is the part of the European Commission tasked with ensuring a well run internal market for goods and promoting the competitiveness of EU enterprise. DG Enterprise & Industry pays particular attention to the needs of manufacturing industry and small and medium sized enterprises: it manages programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and ensure that Community legislation take proper account of their concerns.  

The DG addresses businesses of all types, regardless of legal structure or size, but focuses particularly on the needs of small and medium sized enterprises.

SME PORTAL

DG Enterprise web site has an area specifically dedicated to SMEs – the SME Portal. This portal has been set up to provide a single entry point to information on all European Union policies, programmes, projects, tools and services aimed at SMEs.  

It has sections covering: 

• Eu funding for SMEs
• EU sectoral Policies
• Support services across Europe
• On-line tools
• Going International
• The Eus SME Envoy
• SME Policy
• SMEs and Innovation
• Promoting Entrepreneurship
• A Single Market in Europe
• Making SMEs more competitive 

The paragraphs below expand on some of these areas, but this environment is being constantly updated and amended, and it is recommended that the site is checked before acting on any of the information. 

Entry to the portal can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sme/index_en.htm|

Funding

Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from EU funding through grants, loans and, in some cases guarantees. Support is available either directly (EU grants) or though programmes managed at a national level.  

Grant funding is mostly thematic with specific objectives – environment, research, training etc. and designed and implemented by a variety of agencies and depts within the EU Commission. Any SME applying will need to contribute to a sustainable, value added and transnational projects.   The EU will normally only part fund any eligible project. For further information go to the on-line funding tool as below or

The “Grants and loans” data base: http://ec.europa.eu/grants/index_en.htm|

The online tool for SME funding| (new window) is intended to be a simple way for SMEs to find the schemes and programmes that they might access. It gives an overview of the most relevant and links and contacts for further information. See:

Financial Instruments| (new window) do not provide direct funding to SMEs, but are usually processed through financial intermediaries such as banks or investment funds. They are intended to increase the volume of credit available to SMEs and encourage an increase in SME lending capacity.

European investment fund| (new window) 

Enterprise and industry| (new window) website offers information on access to start up or expansion financing can be found at:

Loans| (new window) are available in some EU States to help SMEs start up or develop. The Access to Finance site below includes information and contact details for each Member State, but there is no fund as yet set up in the UK. See:

Other support services 

SOLVIT|  (new window)  an on-line network to solve problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities.

Your Europe – Business| (new window): practical information and advice to carry out business in another country within the European Union.

IPR Help Desk| (new window) a free resource on intellectual property rights, mainly aimed at contractors and participants in EU funded programmes.

Online customs tariff database (TARIC)| (new window) A database of measures to be taken into account when importing or exporting goods. 

CORDIS| (new window) is a comprehensive website that offers access to European Union research and development funding programmes, as well as information on potential partners and previous and ongoing projects.