Events to look out for
SMEs and entrepreneurs as drivers towards clean energy at EU sustainable Energy Week – 20 June 16:00 CET, Brussels (Belgium).This session will focus on small businesses as key contributors in the transition towards a European Energy Union. It will offer practical support explaining existing funding and support schemes for SMEs and future market niches and opportunities for small entrepreneurs. Register here.
International forum on women and trade – 20 June, Brussels (Belgium). Policymakers, the business community and civil society organisations will convene to discuss support for inclusive trade policy and the ITC SheTrades initiative to connect 1 million women to market by 2020.
EU policies for better business
Agriculture: the European Commission approves Protected Geographical Indication from Indonesia. The Commission has approved the addition of the first product from Indonesia to the quality register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) - 'Kopi Arabika Gayo'. These products will benefit from the same protection and market added-value than EU protected products.
'Kopi Arabika Gayo' is a coffee from the Arabica species cultivated in the Gayo highlands of Indonesia.
European Commission approves reductions on surcharges for energy-intensive companies in Germany and Italy. The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules reductions granted to energy-intensive companies on surcharges to finance support for cogeneration in Germany and reductions on surcharges to finance support for cogeneration and renewables in Italy.
Get involved
European Commission launches public consultation on Database Directive. The European Commission launched a consultation to understand better how the Database Directive is used, to evaluate its impact on users and to identify possible needs of adjustment. The consultation is open until 30 August 2017.
Interim evaluation of the programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME). The European Commission has launched a public consultation as part of the interim evaluation of the COSME programme. SMEs, stakeholders and public authorities are invited to fill in the questionnaire.