Regional dynamics crucial for innovative SMEs 

With a view of the EU's forthcoming 7th Framework Programme (FP7), the Commission has sought to demonstrate the current SME involvement in European research programmes. The cross-border research projects represented in Celje, Slovenia, demonstrate the EU research tools at the disposal of SMEs and stress the role of strong regional dynamics in European research. 

Examples showcase SMEs successful in turning their participation in EU research programmes into commercial success and profitable business. The projects also illustrate the benefits of collaborative research projects (networking with public and other private partners) and of developing specific services for SMEs (partner search, exchange of best practice).

SMEs account for 66 per cent of European companies and generate over two thirds of EU's GDP. In the current EU's Sixth Framework Programme, the EU has been supporting SME-led research to the tune of 2.3 billion euros.