Investing in SMEs in the Eastern Partnership: EU4Business Annual Report 2018

The first annual report of EU4Business, analysing the dynamics and achievements of the initiative over the period 2016-2017, as well as total consolidated figures since the initiative was launched in 2009. The report also outlines a way forward that is based on wide consultations with EU4Business stakeholders.

EU4Business covers a portfolio of 43 projects with a total EU commitment of €348 million, implemented by 20 partners, and triggering a total of almost €2 billion of loans. The report is based on the analysis of more than 150 documents, primarily project and programmes reports and contracts, as well as meetings with more than 200 different stakeholders, national, EU-based or international. In preparing the report, the EU4Business Secretariat also interviewed more than 200 SMEs, either through a survey or as individual cases.

The report looks at how EU4Business is meeting the four objectives of the initiative, and how key indicators in finance, skills, jobs and policy reform meet the EU’s 2020 deliverables for the Eastern Partnership, highlighting a series of success stories of beneficiaries across all the areas of the intiative.

It also looks at the way forward for EU4Business initiative, drawing on the conclusions of a series of round tables held in each of the partner countries in the spring of 2018.