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  1. An institution, body, office or agency established by or based on the Treaty on European Union and the Treaties establishing the European Communities.

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    A microenterprise, a small or medium-sized enterprise (business) as defined in EU Recommendation 2003/361. To qualify as an SME for EU funding, an enterprise must meet certain conditions, including (a) fewer than 250 employees and (b) an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million. These ceilings apply only to the figures for individual companies.

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    Activities that protect, promote and enhance cultural and natural heritage, increase the attractiveness through preservation and valorisation of common cultural and natural heritage in a sustainable manner, and improve and develop cultural and natural heritage objects, services and products. Cultural heritage management, art and culture, (maritime) heritage routes, access to cultural and natural heritage. Also all topics on cultural services such as festivals, concerts, art workshops.

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    Community integration and common identity projects that build identity, create a more cohesive society, promote positive relations through an increased provision of shared spaces and services.

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    Projects about (organised) crime, efficient and secure borders, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the police in the prevention of drug crimes, the development of safety services, or tackling security and organised crime issues.

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Call key data

EU-SME Centre in China

Funding Program

Single Market Programme

Call number

SMP-COSME-2024-SMECC-01

deadlines

Opening
24.10.2024

Deadline
15.01.2025 17:00

Funding rate

90%

Call budget

€ 2,700,000.00

Estimated EU contribution per project

€ 2,700,000.00

Link to the call

ec.europa.eu

Link to the submission

ec.europa.eu

Call content

short description

The overall objective of this call for proposals is to ensure the continuation of the EU SME Centre in China. The latter must provide a first line of advice to target SMEs, namely SMEs operating in China or willing to enter this market, to increase and diversify their knowledge on acquisition, exports, imports and investments. In this regard, during phase V the Centre will continue to offer a set of business support services to help target SMEs overcome barriers and constraints they face in their efforts to enter, stay, or de-risk from the Chinese market.

Call objectives

The EU SME Centre in China is expected to reach a wide audience and to develop its activities vis-à-vis SMEs from EU and SMP associated countries. During phase V the Centre is expected to further extend its outreach.

EISMEA and the concerned European Commission services of DG GROW will facilitate the transition from phase IV to phase V, including the access to results and tools that are necessary to implement the project funded under this call.

The EU SME Centre in China - phase V will not only further develop the activities of previous phases, especially the ones carried out in the most recent phase IV, but will also provide new business support services that reflect, on the one hand, the needs of SMEs in the post COVID-19 pandemic and, on the other hand, the current EU policy priorities and the state of EU-China economic relations.

Thus, the specific objectives of this call for proposals are:

  • Assisting target SMEs to identify the most suitable EU and non-EU (i.e. from Member States and SMP associated countries – see section 6) business support organisations (hereinafter also referred to as “BSOs”), trade promotion organisation (hereinafter also referred to as “TPOs”) and other service providers at their disposal, that can provide target SMEs with the most appropriate support;
  • Assessing target SMEs’ readiness towards establishing and developing their commercial presence on the Chinese market and providing suitable advice on their level of preparedness to internationalise;
  • Assisting target SMEs to establish and develop a sustainable commercial presence on the Chinese market (through knowledge acquisition, exports, imports and investments);
  • Developing better knowledge of the industrial and business environment in China, especially on key sectors, through training programmes, analytical and advisory activities (reports, studies, seminars, workshops, webinars), business information and logistic support;
  • Advising target SMEs on the risks and opportunities of the Chinese market so that they can take informed decisions on envisaged business relations with Chinese partners;
  • Improving synergies and best practice sharing among EU (and when applicable non-EU) BSOs/TPOs at European, national and regional level, with the ultimate goal of helping the target SMEs established or intending to do business in China;
  • Creating or further developing synergies with other EU funded actions in a “Team Europe” fashion, offering, where relevant, joint/complementary business services with an integrated approach. In particular, cooperation with the China IP SME Helpdesk should be seamless;
  • Strengthening European advocacy for EU and SMP associated countries’ business communities, in particular SMEs, in relation to their business activities in China;
  • Advising target SMEs already operating in China on how to de-risk their operations, including providing support for SMEs willing to exit the market, in a sustainable way.

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Expected effects and impacts

By the end of the project, phase V of the EU-SME Centre in China is expected to achieve the following results:

  • Improving the general knowledge and awareness among target SMEs of the risks and opportunities and of the framework conditions of the Chinese market as well as of prospects and relevant challenges for target SMEs intending to start, expand, or de-risk their business in or with China. The activities of the Centre shall be carried out with full awareness and in full respect of the wider contemporary EU-China Strategy.
  • Strengthening the coordination/synergies with similar actions for SMEs in China and in the EU / SMP associated countries, as appropriate. The Centre shall also support European business advocacy, especially for the benefit of target SMEs.
  • Reaching a large number of SMEs, in a systematic and integrated way, with particular but not exclusive focus on those SMEs having limited prospects of receiving support from national BSOs/TPOs in China. Additionally, it will support EU business community driven advocacy for SMEs in close cooperation with the EU Chambers of Commerce in China.
  • Developing active partnerships with intermediary BSOs/TPOs based in the EU and in SMP associated countries to ensure sufficient outreach and marketing of its services to SMEs, in particular target SMEs having no operations in China or that may be unaware of the services of the SME Centre.

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Expected results

Under this call for proposals, the phase V of the Centre will continue to provide general business and legal support services, will offer information about market opportunities and market conditions in China and will provide networking opportunities with relevant potential partners to SMEs with a desire to enter or expand their operations in China.

The scope of this call for proposals is:

  • Ensuring the business continuity of the Centre throughout the project.
  • Offering in-person, online or hybrid business support services considering their impact in terms of active participation and effectiveness. Experience acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a benchmark.
  • Identifying new challenges as well as new barriers for SMEs considering expanding their business or operating in the Chinese market, including those related to de-risking and market exit. Dedicated activities to help companies adapt to new market conditions shall be proposed.
  • Whilst maintaining a generalist approach as SMEs’ “first point of contact”, the Centre shall also focus on a limited set of pre-identified relevant economic sectors to continue improving the offer of value-added services at the disposal of target SMEs (see mandatory activities below under section Activities that can be funded). These economic sectors shall correspond to the priorities of the Commission, including those linked to the green and digital transitions.
  • Ensuring that the activities of the Centre are coherent with the broader EU-China strategy, in particular the EU’s supply chain resilience, economic security and de-risking priorities.
  • Promoting coordination and developing fruitful cooperation and synergies with other EU-funded actions (in particular with the China IP SME Helpdesk, the Enterprise Europe Network and the European Cluster Collaboration Platform), EU policy initiatives and other European players (e.g. National Trade Promotion Organisations, Chambers of Commerce, cluster organisations) both in China and in the EU.
  • Facilitating direct contacts and networking among and with target SMEs, to support exchange of best practices, cooperation and “Team Europe” spirit.
  • Advocating on behalf of target SMEs, by collaborating with relevant stakeholders via oral and written contributions, and by reporting to DG GROW on market access trends and challenges faced by target SMEs in China.
  • Improving the Centre’s role as SMEs’ “first point of contact” in China via an effective outreach and communication strategy.

Among the target SMEs, special attention shall be given to SMEs from EU Member States and SMP associated countries, which are not present or do not have significant resources in China.

The selected consortium is expected to put in place a robust and varied set of activities to achieve the above-mentioned objectives and deliver the expected results in accordance with the established themes and priorities. Applicants are encouraged to propose other innovative activities, which can increase the added-value of the services offered by the Centre.

All activities must be implemented, amongst others, in compliance with the applicable data protection rules.

Below is a mandatory but non-exhaustive list of activities, which shall be carried out to meet some of the themes and priorities (scope) mentioned in the previous section. For some other themes and priorities applicants are requested to propose the most suitable activities. If applicants deem it possible, they can propose activities that meet more themes/priorities. More details can be found on pages 12-16 of the call document.

  • Ensuring the business continuity of the Centre throughout the project.
  • Offering in-person, online or hybrid business support services considering their impact in terms of active participation and effectiveness. Experience acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a benchmark.
  • Identifying new challenges as well as the existence of new barriers for SMEs considering expanding their business or operating in the Chinese market, including those related to de-risking and market exit. Dedicated activities to help companies adapt to new market conditions shall be proposed.
  • Whilst maintaining a generalist approach as SMEs’ “first point of contact”, the Centre shall also focus on a limited set of pre-identified relevant economic sectors to continue improving the offer of value-added services at the disposal of target SMEs. These economic sectors shall correspond to the priorities of the Commission, including those linked to the green and digital transitions.
  • Ensuring that the activities of the Centre are coherent with the broader EU-China strategy, in particular the EU’s supply chain resilience, economic security and de-risking priorities.
  • Promoting coordination and developing fruitful cooperation and synergies with other EU-funded actions (in particular with the China IP SME Helpdesk), EU policy initiatives and other European players (e.g. National Trade Promotion Organisations, Chambers of Commerce) both in China and in the EU.
  • Facilitating direct contacts and networking among and with target SMEs, to support exchange of best practices, cooperation and “Team Europe” spirit.
  • Advocating on behalf of target SMEs, by collaborating with relevant stakeholders via oral and written contributions, and by reporting to DG GROW on market access trends and challenges faced by target SMEs in China.
  • Assuming more publicly the role of SMEs’ “first point of contact” via an effective outreach and communication strategy.

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Eligibility Criteria

Regions / countries for funding

EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT)
Moldova (Moldova), Albania (Shqipëria), Armenia (Հայաստան), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина), Georgia (საქართველო), Iceland (Ísland), Kosovo (Kosova/Kosovë / Косово), Liechtenstein, Montenegro (Црна Гора), North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Norway (Norge), Serbia (Srbija/Сpбија), Türkiye, Ukraine (Україна)

eligible entities

Education and training institution, International organization, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)

Mandatory partnership

Yes

Project Partnership

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least four [4] applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities), which complies with the following conditions:

  • minimum two [2] entities (BSO or TPO) must be established in the EU, in two [2] different Member States and
  • minimum two [2] entities (BSO or TPO) must be established in China.

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must: 

  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)

  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:

    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))

    • non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Single Market Programme (list of participating countries)

    • China, pursuant to Article 9 (2) (c) of the SMP Regulation
  • be business support organisations (BSO) and/or trade promotion organisations (TPO):
    • representing groups of companies from EU Member States and SMP associated countries, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and/or
    • representing business economic interests of EU or SMP associated countries and offering in the first instance non-individualised services for promoting trade and investment between Europe and China.

Typically, applicants can be (non-exhaustive list):

  • bilateral or European Chambers of commerce,
  • sector specific trade organisations,
  • industrial and professional associations,
  • employers’ federations,
  • business intermediary non-governmental organisations,
  • sector specific agencies supporting SMEs in their trade,
  • entities supporting investment or commercial activities.

Specific cases:

Exceptional funding — Entities from other countries (not listed above) are exceptionally eligible, if the granting authority considers their participation essential for the implementation of the action.

Natural persons are NOT eligible (with the exception of self-employed persons, i.e. sole traders, where the company does not have legal personality separate from that of the natural person).

International organisations are eligible. The rules on eligible countries do not apply to them.

Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees for the protection of the EU financial interests equivalent to that offered by legal persons. 

EU bodies (with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre) can NOT be part of the consortium. 

Entities composed of members may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’. Please note that if the action will be implemented by the members, they should also participate (either as beneficiaries or as affiliated entities, otherwise their costs will NOT be eligible). 

Beneficiaries from countries with ongoing negotiations (see above) may participate in the call and can sign grants if the negotiations are concluded before grant signature (with retroactive effect, if provided in the agreement).

other eligibility criteria

Financial support to third parties is not allowed.

Projects should normally last 36 months, as from 1 July 2025. Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment.

Applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) may submit only ONE proposal under the same call (and be awarded a funding). Applicants may NOT participate in several proposals. If they participate or submit several proposals, only one application will be accepted and evaluated; the applicants will be asked to withdraw from the other applications (or they will be rejected).

Additional information

Topics

Competitiveness of Enterprises, Employment/Labour Market, SME & entrepreneurship

Relevance for EU Macro-Region

EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region

UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)

project duration

36 months

Additional Information

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System (accessible via the Topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section). Paper submissions are NOT possible.

Proposals (including annexes and supporting documents) must be submitted using the forms provided inside the Submission System ( NOT the documents available on the Topic page — they are only for information).

Proposals must be complete and contain all the requested information and all required annexes and supporting documents:

  • Application Form Part A — contains administrative information about the participants (future coordinator, beneficiaries and affiliated entities) and the summarised budget for the project (to be filled in directly online)

  • Application Form Part B — contains the technical description of the project (to be downloaded from the Portal Submission System, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded)

  • mandatory annexes and supporting documents (templates available to be downloaded from the Portal Submission System, completed, assembled and re-uploaded):

    • detailed budget table/calculator (mandatory Excel template available in the Submission System, and to be submitted as an Excel file)
    • CVs (short outlines) of core project team (see also section 7, operational capacity)
    • activity reports of last year: not applicable
    • list of previous projects (key projects for the last 4 years) (template available in Application Form Part B, see also section 7, operational capacity)
    • Outreach and communication strategy – maximum 15 pages (mandatory template available on the webpage dedicated to this call on EISMEA website).

Your application must be readable, accessible and printable. Proposals are limited to maximum 50 pages (Part B). Evaluators will not consider any additional pages.

Call documents

SMP-COSME-2024-SMECCSMP-COSME-2024-SMECC(530kB)

Contact

SMP-COSME
EISMEA-SMP-COSME-ENQUIRIES@ec.europa.eu
Website

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