UCM is the main French-speaking employers’ organisation in Belgium, involved in defending the self-employed and business leaders. UCM offers a diverse range of services to SMEs, from business development to HR management and social services. Ten years ago, they created an eco-design unit, which accompanies businesses in incorporating ecodesign in their processes. They are mainly active in Brussels region, and in Wallonia. They offer three types of support:

On the basis of a long-term arrangement with the German Development Bank (KfW), SID Bank funds SME projects that fall into one of the following categories:

Priority 3 of the Smart Growth Operational Programme provides support for SME projects implementing technological innovation.

Priority axis 3: Increasing SMEs competitiveness; implementation and commercialisation of product and process innovation.  

Through this programme, it is possible to:

• Purchase modern machinery and production equipment to enable market entry for new or improved products or services by the SME sector
• Introduce innovative products
• Obtain a loan, surety, guarantee, capital for SME development

Budget allocation: € 305.2 million

Priority axis: Innovative and competitive economy.
The programme co-finances the implementation of innovative investments for SMEs in the Lodz region. 

Total EU contribution: € 274 835 401

The programme offers grants and loans for implementing innovations in production enterprises (SMEs).

Priority axis 1: Strengthening innovation and competitiveness of the region's economy; support for product, process, marketing and organisational innovations in companies (purchase of equipment, production machines).

Total allocation: € 429 623 387

Priority axis 3: Energy efficiency and low-carbon economy in the region; undertakings in enterprises contributing to the reduction of heat, energy and water losses, as well as to heat recovery.

The programme supports enterprise construction/development, in particular investments in modern machinery and equipment, production equipment and the implementation of ready-made technological solutions, enabling market entry of new or improved products or services.

Priority axis 1: Economy, innovations, modern technologies (innovative investments of enterprises) allocates funds for the development of competitive and modern enterprises in the region and for investments in micro, small and medium enterprises.

Priority axis 3 of the programme, Competitiveness of enterprises, funds the following streams:
1. Creation/retrofitting of business infrastructure for the introduction of new or improved products or services
2. Support for investment activities related to the expansion of export activities, e.g. the purchase of production lines adapted to new market needs

The EU contribution to the programme: € 277 298 996

Priority 1. Innovations in the economy

The programme supports:

RE:Source is Sweden’s leading research and innovation investment within the resource and waste area. It is a national innovation arena and supports the development of innovations that can contribute to a more efficient use of resources in both society and business.

RE:Source has been appointed by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas as a Strategic Innovation Program, which means it has great importance for Sweden’s international competitiveness, as well as for creating sustainable solutions to global societal challenges.