COSME programme

3.7.2015

Question for written answer E-010864-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Filiz Hyusmenova (ALDE)

In 2014 the Commission introduced the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) 2014-2020, with a planned budget of EUR 2.3 billion to support SMEs in better access to finance and markets, support entrepreneurs, and ensure more favourable conditions for business creation and growth.

According to the Commission’s recent SME review report, although many policies have been dedicated to this programme, obstacles remain, in particular in improving the efficiency of its existing financing schemes.

What action has the Commission taken to overcome the existing obstacles to fully achieving the objectives of COSME and to simplify the application procedures for EU support programmes so as to make them more accessible to SMEs?