1. MICRO: Enhancing Competitiveness of Micro-enterprises in Rural Areas
Module No 10: EU wide tools and resources for rural micro-enterprise development
Prepared by the Consortium for the project: “Irish Rural Link – National University of Ireland Maynooth- CDI – EEO GROUP SA- IHF asbl – IDP - Internet Web Solutions SL”

2. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Overview
How many slides?
19 slides in total
How long to read and listen?
15 minutes (not including exploring the links provided within slides)
What is the benefit?
See aim and expected learning in following slides

3. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Unit Aim
This unit aims to increase understanding of the resources and financing opportunities available to support
micro-enterprises to expand to international markets

4. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
Identify and take advantage of financing opportunities that could support further growth of micro-enterprises
Require and retrieve information on foreign markets and expansion opportunities to third countries

5. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
To promote and support entrepreneurship of micro-enterprises
EU provides key support networks, tools and resources (1 of 2)
It includes:
The Portal - that aims to give SMEs clear and easy access to the broad range of existing public services. Presently, 35 target markets around the world are covered. It includes a useful Market Access Database – that is free, open to the public and contains some 300 service providers that cover approximately 1200 support services.
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, focusing on supporting internationalization of European Businesses and SMEs.
More information:

6. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
To promote and support entrepreneurship of micro-enterprises
EU provides key support networks, tools and resources (2 of 2)
It includes:
The Enterprise European Network, providing access to market information and partnership
The Europe Business portal: a guide to doing business in Europe
All of them are available in the 24 official languages of the European Union
More information:

7. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
The “Internationalisation Portal”
Tools include:
Guidebooks on internationalisation support for micro-enterprises
An extensive Export Helpdesk
Formulation of the Enterprise Europe Network as a support tool for the internationalisation of micro-enterprises, providing advice for international growth
More Information:

8. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
The “Database”
Tools include:
Partnering opportunities, divided into countries and sectors
Event calendar for international growth opportunities
Business matchmaking events, intel on trade missions, conferences and workshops
More Information:

9. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform
Created by DG Growth:
It is an  overview of EU Instruments contributing to the Internationalisation of European Businesses to help improve the knowledge of potential business internationalisation stakeholders on funding possibilities and existing instruments (both direct and indirect) and supporting SME internationalisation beyond the EU.
More Information:

10. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
The Enterprise Europe Network supports (1 of 2)
Export of products or services to new markets
Acquiring CE marking for products
Finance guidance and mentoring for growth plans
Protection of intellectual property assets in another country
The Network has some 600 partners (SME support service providers) in more than 50 countries.
More Information:

11. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
The Enterprise Europe Network Services (2 of 2)
1. Business co-operation
Services to develop trans-national (within the EU) and international (beyond the EU) commercial co-operation between SMEs.
2. Innovation and transfer of technology and knowledge
Helping Micro and SMEs to become more innovative;
3. Advice
Advice and information to help micro enterprises to become more competitive, and to enable them to benefit from opportunities in the single market, including advice on EU legislation.
New services to support scale-ups will be launched in 2017.
More Information:

12. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Europe Business Portal (1 of 2)
A convenient guide for micro-enterprises wishing to go abroad and fully exploit opportunities of the EU Single Market
Intends to provide practical information on rights, obligations and opportunities for entrepreneurs who wish to do business throughout the EU
Covers a wide range of topics i.e. e-procurement, IPRs, standardisation, EU funding
Established under the EU programme COSME
More Information:

13. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Europe Business Portal (2 of 2)
Divided into 8 main sections:
More Information:
Start and Grow
Human Resources
Product requirements
Finance and Funding
Selling abroad
Environment
Public contracts
Fiscal requirements

14. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Funding Opportunities
The main opportunities for funding the internationalization of micro-enterprises include:
Access2Finance
Crowdfunding opportunities for micro-enterprises
COSME; that includes an equity and a debt facility
More Information:

15. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Access 2 funding
Two thematic sections:
microcredit and microloans for micro-enterprises;
social entrepreneurship.
EaSI Guarantee. EUR 96 million available for interested microcredit providers
EaSI Capacity Building. EUR 16 million available through EaSI Capacity Building Investments Window. 
More Information:

16. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Crowdfunding opportunities
Usually they keep 5% of the total funds raised.
Examples:
Kickstarter.com. It has attracted more than five million contributors pledging close to $1 billion, funding more than 55,000 individual projects.
Indiegogo.com. The entrepreneurial campaign is the main tool for securing funding for micro-enterprises and start-ups
More Information:

17. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Funding Opportunities
COSME - The Equity Facility for Growth (EFG)
Receiving funds from the European Investment Fund it invests in selected venture capital and private equity funds that provide funding to micro or SMEs predominantly in their expansion and growth stages.
More Information:

18. Sources and resources in support of micro-enterprises I
Funding Opportunities
COSME - The Loan Guarantee Facility (LGF)
It offers guarantees and counter guarantees to selected financial intermediaries (e.g. guarantee institutions, banks, leasing companies) to help them provide loans and leases to SMEs which they would otherwise not support.
More Information:  

19. Thank you for your attention 
End of Module
Thank you for your attention 