A Single Market
A Single Market
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The European Union is characterised by the fact that people, goods, services and money are able to move across borders with almost no restrictions. This has the advantage for European citizens that they can travel, study, work and live across borders, as well as obtain high-quality products from the different countries. Economically speaking, the EU is the largest single market in the world, and it is a key concern of the EU to support and grow this market.
For this purpose, a new funding programme, the Single Market Programme (SMP), has been established. This brings together several previous EU funding programmes, including Cosme, the former programme aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). On the one hand, the SMP is intended to ensure that European consumers can enjoy high product standards and good services. On the other hand, it aims to increase the growth and competitiveness of European companies.
Especially small and medium-sized enterprises often encounter challenges and financial obstacles when it comes to establishing themselves in the market. The SMP aims to counteract this, also to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes funding for enterprises from the cultural and creative sectors.
Contact
Here you can find the contact points for SMP in Germany and Austria. Use the filter to find your local contact!
Overview
Reinforcing the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs is central to the new Single Market Programme and is the sub-area that is particularly relevant to the cultural and creative sector. Specific objectives related to the funding of SMEs are described as follows:
- Providing various forms of support to SMEs and business networks to encourage their establishment and growth
- Facilitating market access, for example through the internationalisation of SMEs
- Fostering the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills
- Creating an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and start-ups, including support for digital transformation and new business models
- Promoting the competitiveness of industrial ecosystems and developing corresponding value chains
- Promoting the competitiveness of industrial ecosystems and developing corresponding value chains
The obstacles that small enterprises encounter in their start-up and company development are also present in the cultural and creative sector. Consequently, the SMP is also directed at organisations and companies that pursue cultural and creative activities, with the intention of overcoming these structural and financial obstacles hurdles and thereby promoting creativity, innovation potential and entrepreneurship. While this especially applies to the areas of tourism, fashion and creative industries, it can also encompass other cultural sectors.
Cultural projects aspiring to this funding can, for example, develop sustainable offers in cultural tourism or offer creative and innovative mentoring and training modules aimed at supporting those working in culture and the arts with start-up projects or the introduction of new products, as well as strengthening their entrepreneurial skills. At the same time, funded projects should also incorporate digital technologies, social inclusion and sustainability. As such, the SMP also provides starting points for social and cultural entrepreneurship and new business models.
Beyond this, the SMP also supports the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which serves as a contact point all over Europe and makes it easier for SMEs to access financing opportunities. The EEN provides information on the SMP as well as other European and national funding opportunities and
financing offers for enterprises.
Within the framework of Cosme, the predecessor programme of SMP, cultural and tourism projects with the following focal points have already received support:
- The development of a sustainable diving route from the south of the Iberian Peninsula via Ireland and Great Britain to the north of Europe, with the aim of integrating outstanding water sports locations and maritime cultural heritage on an international travel route
- The development of a European travel route designed as a “chocolate trail” that leads along various stages of the value chain and links the history, traditions and way of life of the cocoa bean and the way it is processed
- The development of a cross-border travel route for senior citizens along special natural spectacles, gardens and parks
- Organisation of a participatory baroque festival for senior citizens
The SMP provides support to any organisation with a legal form of its own and which is based in the EU member states. Other countries from the EU neighbourhood area are also eligible to apply. Negotiations in this regard have not yet been concluded.
Both national and cross-border projects with European partner organisations are eligible for funding.
Funded projects
Funded projects
Here you can find cultural projects funded by different EU programmes.
Open calls
Currently there are no open calls for proposal.
