View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/insme.org/insme_newsletter_issue196?e=2d8317fc53) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Issue n. 196 ------------------------------------------------------------ News from INSME The OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship has been promoted to a level 1 Committee (https://www.insme.org/the-oecd-working-party-on-smes-and-entrepreneurship-pr...) Good news! On the 20th of April, the OECD Council elevated the Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE) to a full level 1 Committee, reporting directly to the Ambassadors, and providing stronger backing for SMEs and entrepreneurs. 4TH Policy Lab - PortNet Morocco (https://www.insme.org/4th-policy-lab-digitalising-foreign-trade-procedures-i...) Morocco digitalized all its foreign trade procedures through PortNet, boosting the country's innovation ecosystem and simplifying foreign trade: this is the new best practice analyzed by INSME and MEDMSMEs in the framework of THE NEXT SOCIETY Project. INSMEAcademy: market-creating innovation in the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem (https://www.insme.org/transforming-emerging-markets-through-entrepreneurship...) (https://www.insme.org/insmeacademy-market-creating-innovation-in-the-nigeria...) On the INSME blog, read the insights of the last INSMEAcademy session held on the 30th of March: exploring the characteristics of the Nigerian emerging market and its ecosystem with the Ayzer Centre for Entrepreneurship. INSME President contributed to FISME webinar “Policy Dialogue on Challenges and Innovative Practices by BMOs” (https://www.insme.org/insme-president-contributed-to-fisme-webinar-policy-di...) The President of INSME, Sergio Arzeni was invited to discuss the critical role BMOs (Business Membership Organizations) play in the innovation process. The event was organized by FISME, Federation of Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Updates and contributions from INSME Members GenerationS became a winner of global business outlook awards 2021 (https://www.insme.org/generations-became-a-winner-of-global-business-outlook...) GenerationS, corporate innovation development platform and INSME member, became a winner of the Global Business Outlook Awards 2021 in the category «Outstanding Contribution to Innovation Ecosystem Development – Russia 2021». Congratulations! SIMEST awarded at TXF's "Perfect Deals of the Year 2021" for Viking Link, the first green export financing in Europe with ECA guarantee (https://www.insme.org/simest-awarded-at-txfs-perfect-deals-of-the-year-2021-...) Learn more about the Viking Link operation: SACE and SIMEST (INSME Member) played a key role in issuing the first "Green Loan" with an Export Credit Agency guarantee to support Italian exports and renewable energy infrastructure in Europe. We are happy to receive your updates: share with us your projects, activities, and events: we will include them in the next INSME Newsletter and spread the information among our readers! ============================================================ Contents of the month ** How to save “good” SMEs from the crisis: read the insights from the high-level meeting on our blog (https://www.insme.org/how-to-save-good-smes-from-the-crisis-read-the-insight...) During the INSME event, experts analysed the current socio-economic situation referring to SMEs’ unique position in the crisis and offered their experience and expertise to propose multiple approaches to limit the damages. ** Next Generation EU: Commission gets ready to raise up to €800 billion to fund the recovery (https://www.insme.org/next-generation-eu-commission-gets-ready-to-raise-up-t...) The EU strategy brings a fundamental change with respect to the past: it embraces new funding needs, using a flexible and diversified set of instruments and techniques, through clear and transparent communication activities set up with the market participants. ** An intervention-logic approach for the design and implementation of S3 Strategies (https://www.insme.org/a-strengthened-evidence-based-approach-for-more-result...) Research, development, and innovation strategies need to be adapted and reflect the diversity and the specificity of regions: on the INSME Blog a brand new approach to design effective S3 strategies. Calls and opportunities ** EUIPO SME Fund: 50% off trademarks and designs, 75% off the cost of IP Scan in 2021 for SMEs (https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/sme-fund) The Ideas Powered for Business SME fund offers financial support in the form of reimbursements for new trademark and design applications’ fees and for IP pre-diagnostic services (IP Scan), up to a maximum amount of EUR 1 500 per business. Submission deadline: 31 May 2021. ** InvestHorizon Accelerator (https://investhorizon.eu/accelerator?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=linkedin&utm_term=ebn+-+european+business+%26+innovation+centre+network&utm_content=&utm_campaign=) Facilitating series A funding for selected deep tech companies boosting their investment readiness and investor relations. Submission deadline: 27th of May 2021, 24:00 Brussels time ** European Enterprise Promotion Awards (https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/supporting-entrepreneurship/enterprise-prom...) The European Enterprise Promotion Awards reward those who promote entrepreneurship and small business at the national, regional and local level. Submission deadline: 16 June 2021 ** Horizon IP Scan Support Service for SMEs (https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/horizon-ip-scan_en) Service designed to help European SMEs and start-ups efficiently manage and exploit Intellectual Property in EU-funded research and innovation collaborations. Submission deadline: continuous open call scheme ** EIC Accelerator, EIC Accelerator open, EIC Accelerator challenge - Horizon Europe (https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en) The EIC Accelerator targets high-impact innovative products, services or business models that can create new markets or disrupt existing ones in Europe and worldwide. Submission deadline: 9 June 2021 Upcoming events Given the current situation, events' dates may vary. We invite you to check the dedicated websites. Upcoming events 5 May 2021 – Online Event WIPO, World Intellectual Property Organisation - ** Brand Development for Business Entities in the Framework of the Enabling Innovation Environment (EIE) Brands and Designs Project (https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=60193) 5 May 2021 – Online Event Forum Europe- ** Critical Infrastructure & Resilience Regulation: How to build a consistent compliance framework that spurs trust and innovation in the digital single market (https://eu-ems.com/register.asp?event_id=4557&utm_campaign=828824_Microsoft%20Critical%20Infrastructure%20-%20mailing%205&utm_medium=dotdigital&utm_source=Forum%20Europe&dm_i=4SEG,HRIW,F84RF,23OJH,1) 6 May 2021 – Online Event Enterprise Europe Network - ** Launch of Horizon Europe in the Brussels-Capital Region: Focus on Green & Digital Transitions (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5393322651590642189) 18 May 2021, 17:00 - 18:00 CEST – Online Event WIPO - ** Mediation of R&D and Technology Transfer (https://www.astp4kt.eu/webinars/tea-with-astp-mediation-for-technology-trans...) 18-20 May 2021 – Online Event Global Innovation Summit - ** 2021 Summit "Exploring New Perspectives” (https://www.gis2021.com/) 25 May 2021 – Online Event EURACTIV - ** The Recovery and Resilience Facility: Can effective oversight bring about true reform? (https://www.eventleaf.com/Attendee/Attendee/EventPage?eId=F4mqnkKad5%2BBAmDe...) 27 May 2021 – Online Event EURADA - ** Opportunities for Development Agencies in the next multiannual financial framework (2021-2027) (https://www.eurada.org/events/calendar/default-title?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=20&cHash=5278bba59a8e0d215323ece2b5a652d5) 14 June 2021 - Online Event EIT, The European Institute of Innovation & Technology - ** New EIT strategy to power Europe’s largest innovation network (https://eit.europa.eu/news-events/events/new-eit-strategy-power-europes-larg...) 15- 16 June 2021 – Online Event Forum Europe - ** The Future City: The Core of the Green & Digital Transitions in Europe (https://eu-ems.com/register.asp?event_id=4558&utm_campaign=822907_New%20speakers%20announced%20-%20The%20Future%20City&utm_medium=dotdigital&utm_source=Forum%20Europe&dm_i=4SEG,HMYJ,F84RF,23437,1) 16-18 June 2021 – São Paulo, Brazil Triple Helix - ** The XIX International Triple Helix Conference 2021 (https://thc.scibizconference.com/) 17 June 2021 – Online Event EPO, European Patent Office - ** European Inventor Award 2021 (https://www.epo.org/news-events/news/2021/20210311.html#:~:text=The%20Europe....) 18-19 June 2021 – Online Event EBAN, European Business Angel Network - ** 2021 Annual Congress (https://www.eban.org/annual-congress/) 23- 24 June 2021 – Online Event European Commission- ** European Research and Innovation Days (https://research-innovation-days.ec.europa.eu/) 27 June 2021 – Online Event UN, United Nations -** Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (https://www.un.org/en/observances/micro-small-medium-businesses-day) ** Website (http://www.insme.org) ** Twitter (https://twitter.com/INSME_) ** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/INSME-The-International-Network-for-Small-and-Mediu...) ** LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/insme---the-international-network-for-small...) 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