View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/3cbf94b92022/insme_newsletter_issue187_2020-1287496?e=2d8...) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Issue n. 187 ------------------------------------------------------------ News from INSME INSME keeps on growing and welcomes a new member (http://www.insme.org/insme-keeps-on-growing-and-welcomes-a-new-member/) INSME is glad to announce that ToJoy, a business acceleration platform for foreign companies expanding to China and for Chinese companies expanding to the global market, has recently joined the Network, thus opening a direct gateway to China. With ToJoy INSME can now count on the support of 66 members from 31 countries. (http://www.insme.org/sme-policy-at-the-time-of-coronavirus/?preview_id=7952&preview_nonce=a04bbca5de&post_format=standard&_thumbnail_id=7957&preview=true) SME Policy at the time of Coronavirus - A contribution by the INSME President (http://www.insme.org/sme-policy-at-the-time-of-coronavirus/) On the 4th of June the INSME President Sergio Arzeni gave a speech in the framework of the Essex Business School Venture Webinar Series, an initiative promoted and coordinated by Jay Mitra, Professor at the Essex Business School and INSME Board Member. Developing Entrepreneurial Competencies in Vietnam (http://www.insme.org/developing-entrepreneurial-competencies-in-vietnam/) Which is the Vietnamese entrepreneurial ecosystem status? How entrepreneurial competencies can positively impact on entrepreneurship rate? These were the main issues of the online session INSME Secretary General held on the 4th of June in the framework of the Essex Business School Venture Webinar Series. The Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association and INSME sign a Memorandum of Understanding (http://www.insme.org/emea-and-insme-sign-a-memorandum-of-understanding/) INSME has recently signed a MoU with the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), an independent regional research organisation specialized in socio-economic and financial developments in Europe and the South and East Mediterranean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDhBzBsJ6k&t=4s The first Policy Lab promoted by INSME in collaboration with THE NEXT SOCIETY (http://www.insme.org/the-first-policy-lab-promoted-by-insme-in-collaboration...) On the 29th of June INSME promoted the first of a series of Policy Labs organized in the framework of THE NEXT SOCIETY project. The digital event was focused on the Tunisian Startup Act, the first legislation of its kind in Africa. (http://www.insme.org/?p=7839&preview=true) Gulf Countries reaction to the pandemic (http://www.insme.org/gulf-countries-reaction-to-the-pandemic/) INSME has recently interviewed Mr. Matthew Skinner, Regional Managing Director of Intertek Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan to find out how the Arab region and in particular in the Gulf countries are responding to the Covid-19 emergency. Updates and contributions from INSME Members Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, CEO at Qatar Development Bank, on Qatar’s strategy to face the pandemic (http://www.insme.org/abdulaziz-al-khalifa-ceo-at-qatar-development-bank-on-q...) Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, CEO at Qatar Development Bank (INSME Board Member) intervened in the annual startups and entrepreneurship developments conference 2020 with a speech which highlighted the strategy Qatar is adopting to face the current crisis. The Azerbaijani Agency for Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) informs entrepreneurs about the development of the digital economy (http://www.insme.org/the-azerbaijani-agency-for-development-of-small-and-med...) The Agency for Development of SMEs of the Republic of Azerbaijan (INSME Member) has recently organized an online event to show entrepreneurs how the use of digital platforms is key to remain competitive. CEA PME and BVMW launch a matchmaking platform for SMEs in Africa and Europe (http://www.insme.org/cea-pme-and-bvmw-launch-a-matchmaking-platform-for-smes...) The European Confederation of SMEs Association – CEA PME and BVMW – the German Mittelstand (INSME Strategic Members) have recently established a matchmaking platform aiming at growing shared value in business for SMEs in Africa and Europe. Calls and opportunities The 26th IraSME call for proposals IraSME (https://www.ira-sme.net/about-irasme/) has opened the 26th call for proposal for transnational R&D projects with the aim of financing the development of new products, processes, or technical services. The call foresees that the applicants consult their local agencies since the beginning of the preparation of their proposal to ensure the compliance with the national and regional criteria, considering that eligibility rules, application and funding details vary depending on the countries and regions involved in Europe and outside. The deadline for submissions is the 30th of September 2020. Discover more here (https://www.ira-sme.net/current-call/) . Two opportunities from the SME Finance Forum SME Finance Forum (INSME Member) promotes two interesting opportunities: The first opportunity is represented by the launch of the third annual competition of the Global SME Finance Awards 2020. This initiative is aimed at recognizing financial institutions and Fintech companies for providing remarkable products and services to SME clients. Discover more here. (https://www.smefinanceforum.org/post/global-sme-finance-awards-2020) The second opportunity is a “Call for insights” on what SME finance will look like in 2030. The SME Finance Forum intends to spur its membership and public audience to share insights in order to enhance the discussion on the future of finance for SMEs. The participants are encouraged to share their point of view on this topic in 500-1000-word essays. The selected authors will be invited to the Global SME Finance Forum 2020 that will take place in Bangkok, October 26-28. Find out more details on this page (https://www.smefinanceforum.org/post/call-for-insights-sme-finance-outlook-2...) . Both opportunities have a deadline on the 31st of July 2020. The Cartier Women’s Initiative The Cartier Women’s Initiatives launches the call for applications for its 2021 edition. The aim of this initiative is to boost women empowerment in the field of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the current edition, in addition to the 7 existing Regional Awards, has inaugurated a new thematic category particularly addressed to sustain women's entrepreneurship in the field of scientific and technological innovation. The deadline for applications is the 31st of July 2020. More information is available here. (https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/about-us#:~:text=WE%20ARE%20CURRENTLY%20ACCEPTING%20APPLICATIONS,CEST%20ON%20JULY%2031%2C%202020.&text=Our%20vision%20is%20a%20world,can%20achieve%20her%20full%20potential.) ============================================================ Contents of the month ** Science, research and innovation performance of the EU 2020 (http://www.insme.org/science-research-and-innovation-performance-of-the-eu-2...) On the 27th of May 2020, the European Commission released the report “Science, Research and Innovation Performance of the EU 2020” which evaluates and sums up the performance of Europe in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The report shows that EU ranks among the top players in scientific production. ** The European Innovation Scoreboard (http://www.insme.org/the-european-innovation-scoreboard/) On the 23rd of June, the European Commission released the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020, a tool to benchmark the research and innovation performance of the EU Member States, regions and selected third countries. ** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=865CKZW8y7g) ** Listen to the World Bank Group President’s words on the crisis response (http://www.insme.org/listen-to-the-world-bank-group-presidents-words-on-the-...) The World Bank Group launched a new audio series to explore and discuss data, research, and innovative solutions for global development challenges. The leading speaker of the episode released on the 29th of May is David Malpass, the World Bank Group’s President. Upcoming events Given the current situation, events' dates may be subject to changes therefore, in case of interest, we invite you to check the dedicated websites. 25 of June | See the recording here ** Free Roving Webinar on WIPO Services and Initiatives (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1536728435881507088) 15 - 17 of June | Online Event ** 18th International Triple Helix Conference (https://events.tuni.fi/thc2020/) 13 – 16 of July | Online event ** Shaping tomorrow: 3D printing and its impact on IP (https://www.epo.org/news-events/events/conferences/3d-printing.html) 22 – 24 of September | Online event ** European Research and Innovation Day (https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/events/upcoming-events/eur...) 21 – 24 of September | Online event ** 16th EVPA Annual Conference – Building Alliances for Impact (https://www.eban.org/event/16th-evpa-annual-conference-building-alliances-fo...) 14 of October | Kazan, Russia ** 23rd TCI Global Conference, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia (https://www.tci-network.org/events/kazan-to-host-the-23rd-tci-global-confere...) 26 – 28 of October | Bangkok, Thailand ** Global SME Finance Forum 2020 (https://www.smefinanceforum.org/post/global-sme-finance-forum-2020) 28 – 29 of October | Brussels, Belgium ** European Angel Investment Summit (http://europeanangelsummit.com/) 3 - 4 of November | Brussels, Belgium ** EBN innovation Network Congress 2020 "Regional Ecosystems Shaping European Innovation" (http://www.ebncongress.eu/) 11 – 13 of November | Valencia, Spain ** AGORADA+2020 (http://www.eurada.org/upcoming-events/agorada2020/) 16 - 20 of November | Online Event ** 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting of the International Trademark Association (https://www.inta.org/2020Annual/Pages/Home.aspx) 24 – 26 of November | Bologna, Italy ** 2020 International Triple Helix Summit (https://triplehelixsummit2020.triplehelixassociation.org/) 1 – 3 of December | Cologne, Germany ** ICT 2020: Leading the Digital Age (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/ict-2020-leading-digital-...) ** 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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