The EU programme for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
The COSME programme runs from 2014-2020 with a budget of €2.3 bn. It addresses four main objectives:
- Ease access to finance for SMEs by providing loan guarantees and risk capital (access to finance)
- Help companies access new markets, within and outside the EU (access to markets)
- Create a business-friendly environment by reducing the administrative burden on SMEs (improving conditions for businesses)
- Encourage an entrepreneurial culture (encouraging entrepreneurship)