1. SMEs and Interreg projects DG REGIO, Open Days, Brussels, October 2013

2. Benefits of SMEs Involvement Know how sharing Networks in different countries to increase business opportunities Product feasibility and validation New Customers Benefits for SMEs: Interreg Projects contribute to improving policy learning and sharing : The SME involvement in Interreg Projects creates benefits for the Governmental Institutions: Enabling technologies Promote Policy Incentives Growth of the local economy Employment

3. Risks of SMEs Involvement SME means SMALL or MEDIUM sized organization Support SME’s administrative burden created by Interreg Limited financial reserves (increase pre- payment level) Realistic fees, also for the director; SME’ s coordination in projects Involvement of SMEs in Interreg- Pros and Cons, a view from the Private Sector Advisors: Financial Issue Management Issue Administrative Procedure Dimensions

4. Involvement of SMEs in Interreg projects: How to deal State aid Main Problems in the current funding period: Diverging views of Member States on State aid; Difficulties to set up schemes by several Member States; Difficult to monitor State aid in another Member State; Difficult in making use of block exemptions and in notifying State aid Addressing the problems: Need to raise awareness of State aid rules; Need to clarify responsibilities; Clarifying ways of achieving State aid compliance; Regulatory changes to facilitate State aid application for European Territorial cooperation.

5. i.Check for the presence of State aid ( Criteria of Article 107 (1) TFEU; ii.De minimis aid ( not more than EUR 200 000); iii.Giving aid in line with the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) or possibly with rules on Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI); iv.Notifying aid (pre–notification contacts with DG COMP, Commission will give guidance on any technical and substantive issue) Ways to achieve State Aid compliance Risks for SMEs State Aid Too complex for a single SME; Check and adhere to them at project or program level; Avoid de‐minimis

6. SMEs use Intellectual Property to: Take a risk in participation; To invest in their policy goals; To need a return on investment. Involvement of SMEs in Interreg projects: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) R&D Manufacturing Marketing and Sales Marketing and Sales Products IP Technology Patents Trademarks Designs Trademarks Designs Return on investments In modern complex systems, IP in SMEs business is modeled as follow: IPR regulations in Interreg Projects: Facilitate IPR at program level; To arrange IPR at project level; To build on experience in Framework Program and H2020