New Executive Agency for SMEs established

The European Commission has launched the new Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).

EASME builds on the current Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI). From January 2014, the Agency will manage on behalf of the Commission most parts of the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME).

The Agency will also be in charge of the SME instrument, the new and innovative instrument for support to SMEs within Horizon 2020. Other programmes to be managed by the EASME are the Energy and Climate Action Societal Challenges within Horizon 2020, as well as the Programme for Environment and Climate Action.

Later in 2014, the Agency will also be responsible for significant parts of the European Maritime Fisheries Fund. With EASME, SMEs have a dedicated institution aiming to improve the competitiveness of enterprises.