The Commission’s objective is to deliver a growth and innovation-friendly business environment which truly supports SMEs and entrepreneurship. The first priority is to restore competitiveness and to stimulate investment for the purpose of job creation.  Small and medium-sized enterprises are at the centre of this political priority.

The priorities of DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs are:

·     Ensure an open internal market for goods and services in the EU;

·     Improve the range, quality, and competitiveness of products and services on the internal market;

·     Strengthen the industrial base in Europe;

·     Provide sector-specific and business-friendly policies;

·     Promote industrial innovation to generate new sources of growth;

·     Ensure a modernised system for public procurement, which provides better access to public contracts on an EU-wide basis;

·     Encourage the growth of SMEs and promote an entrepreneurial culture;

·     Support the internationalisation of EU businesses;

·     Facilitate access to finance for SMEs;

·     Support the free movement of professionals in EU;

·     Support the development of global satellite-based navigation infrastructure and services (Galileo);

·     Promote the use of EU earth observation-based services (Copernicus).

From 2014 to 2020, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is responsible for a budget of almost EUR 16 billion to implement:

·     The Programme for Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, COSME.

The COSME programme has a budget of EUR 2.3 billion to help enterprises access finance and markets, to promote entrepreneurship, and to support favourable conditions for business creation and growth.

·     Part of the Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 related to space, raw materials, and innovation in SMEs, with a budget of EUR 2.3 billion.

·     The Programme for Satellite Navigation, (Galileo/EGNOS), with a budget of EUR 7 billion.

·     The Programme for Global Earth Observation (Copernicus), with a budget of EUR 4.3 billion.

 
Unit GROW H2 - Enterprise Europe Network and Internationalization of SMEs:

 H2 is focused on supporting ambitious SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs to innovate and to grow internationally. At the core of this is policy, support and oversight of both the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), providing a dedicated support package for SMEs; and the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme giving new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs in other countries. 

The Unit also plays a strong role in helping SMEs to expand internationally (including through international trade agreements); helping SMEs to innovate (including through access to the Horizon 2020 'Innovation in SME' programme); and Corporate Social Responsibility.