The Network should contribute to the objectives of the SMP by improving the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs in Europe and promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it should be recognised by SMEs and stakeholders as the indispensable “European arm” of regional and national business support systems, leveraging the work those support systems and wider national and regional policies. Additionally, it should provide clear European added value and providing services that are ever more highly valued by clients and help them to grow and become more competitive.

Moreover, the Network is considered to play a crucial role in helping all types of SMEs in their transition to more sustainable business models, through dedicated Sustainability Advisors and other sustainability services. It will also support SMEs’ digitalisation by helping them to adapt their business processes, use digital technologies and develop new products and services using digital means – it will do so by collaborating with other relevant networks at European level. And above all, the new Network will help SMEs to become more resilient, helping them to fully recover from the COVID-19 crisis and emerge even stronger than before.

The proposals should be:

• Defining the strategic approach and explain how the objectives and requirements laid down in the present call will be addressed, taking account of the challenges faced by SMEs in the target region(s) and the specific strengths of businesses and the business environment.
• Suggesting specific activities translating that strategic approach into action.

The first submission deadline (11/08/21) will be open to all eligible applicants.

The second submission deadline (02/12/21) will aim to get proposals of applicants:

• from EU Member States and overseas countries and territories (OCTs) covering EU regions not included in the Network after evaluation of the proposals submitted at the first cut-off date. Note that proposals covering regions for which a successful proposal was submitted and evaluated positively will be excluded from the second cut-off.
• From non-EU countries that have been associated or by the submission deadline have started negotiations for association to the SMP.
   

  The third submission deadline (27/04/21) will target mainly applicants from non-EU countries that joined the SMP at a later stage, as well as applicants from regions from the EU and associated countries, and OCTs that are not included in the Network after evaluation of the proposals submitted at the second cut-off date.