The "Enterprise Experience" programme, launched by Vice-President Günter Verheugen on 6 November 2006, aims to give administrators in the Commission's DG Enterprise the chance to spend one week in a small and medium-sized company (SME).
During that short period they should become more familiar with the needs and working circumstances of these businesses, which represent 99% of European companies and account for nearly 60% of EU GDP.
The idea is that the civil servants will be better regulators and produce legislation that is more “growth-and-jobs-orientated” once they have understood the daily life of businesses.
Commissioner Verheugen, who will also participate in the programme, said: “A better understanding of the needs of SMEs and a better appreciation of business-specific problems is also part of the Better Regulation initiative and of our determination to improve the quality lawmaking. This is yet another demonstration of this Commission's commitment to jobs and growth in Europe.”
The Commission's information on this programme does not mention whether the civil servants will also be paid SME salaries during the trainee week.
