View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/94f9bd4024ab/insme_newsletter_issue190_2020-1287787?e=2d8...) ** ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Issue n. 190 ------------------------------------------------------------ News from INSME INSME 16th General Assembly outcomes (http://www.insme.org/insme-16th-general-assembly-outcomes/) The 16^th INSME General Assembly, held digitally on the 20^th of October, was a unique occasion to raise a stimulating and fruitful debate among INSME Members on the INSME 2020 achievements and its 2021 action plan in the light of the pandemic crisis. High-Level Joint OECD - INSME Session (http://www.insme.org/20-years-after-the-first-oecd-sme-ministerial-conferenc...) A High-Level Joint OECD – INSME Session in digital format will take place on November 18 at 9.30 a.m. (CET) to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the “Bologna Charter on SME Policies”, the Ministerial declaration that laid the basis for the establishment of the INSME Network. INSME signs a collaboration agreement with EUIPO to support SMEs (http://www.insme.org/insme-signs-a-collaboration-agreement-with-euipo-to-sup...) The EUIPO is the European Agency responsible for managing the European Union Trade Mark and Design rights with the purpose to promote a harmonious development of economic activities and support the fight against infringements of intellectual property rights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efEebOb8JyA Boosting women entrepreneurship in the second “THE NEXT SOCIETY policy lab” promoted by INSME (http://www.insme.org/boosting-women-entrepreneurship-in-the-second-the-next-...) On the 30^th of September, INSME explored female entrepreneurship in Egypt during the second Policy Lab organised in the framework of THE NEXT SOCIETY project and featuring the Heya Reda Programme, an initiative promoted by TIEC. Insights from the INSME Innovation Management Programme (http://www.insme.org/insights-from-the-insme-innovation-management-programme...) EU policies for SMEs has been the topic of the insightful session of the Innovation Management Programme held digitally on the 14^th of July by Prof. Evgeni Evgeniev, Research Attaché and Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the European Union. INSME Vice-President Mario Ohoven dies in a traffic accident (http://www.insme.org/insme-vice-president-mario-ohoven-dies-in-a-traffic-acc...) Mario Ohoven, President of the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), President of the European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME and INSME Vice-President, died in a traffic accident on Sunday, 31st of October. Updates and contributions from INSME Members GenerationS wins the International Stevie Awards for Women in Business 2020 (http://www.insme.org/generations-wins-the-international-stevie-awards-for-wo...) The 2020 edition of the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women, hailed as the world’s premier business award, has been awarded to Ekaterina Petrova, director of GenerationS corporate accelerator (INSME Member). The Qatar Development Bank’s Resilient Award (http://www.insme.org/the-qatar-development-banks-resilient-award/) The Qatar Development Bank (INSME Board Member) promotes an award to recognize the Best SMEs in Qatar in identifying and pursuing the most efficient strategy to face the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Vocational Education and Training in Germany, an interview with Patrick Meinhardt (http://www.insme.org/vocational-education-and-training-in-germany-an-intervi...) Germany is known as one of the countries with the best vocational and education system in the world. We spoke to Patrick Meinhardt, Director of European Politics of BVMW and INSME board member to share his insightful point of view on this relevant topic. Calls and opportunities The EU Green Deal Call 2020 The European Green Deal is the European Commission’s blueprint and roadmap to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050. This €1 billion call, launched by the European Commission, is aimed at foreseeing clear and visible results in the short-term with also a perspective of long-term change enhancing research and innovation projects to address the climate crisis. Furthermore, the call includes opportunities for international cooperation to face the needs of developing countries. The deadline for application is the 26th of January 2021. More information is available at this page. (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1669) IPA4SME provides financial and expert support for intellectual property (IP) enhancement to eligible SMEs Intellectual property (IP) protection is critical to ensure the development of innovative SMEs, in order to boost SMEs’ competitiveness. The EU project "IPA4SME (http://www.ipa4sme.eu/) " is aimed at offering services to protect SMEs’ intangible assets. The eligible SMEs hold already the Seal of Excellence and are based in selected countries. Under this call, SMEs beneficiaries can gain a free-of-charge report by a verified IP expert on their business strategy (IP prediagnosis) and receive financial support for IP protection costs. The next cut-off date is on the 17th of November 2020 (5 PM CET). Please visit this page (http://www.ipa4sme.eu/guidelines) to find out more information. DigiFed launched the second Open Call to support the digitalisation of European companies DigiFed (https://digifed.org/) supports SMEs and Midcaps with different level of digital maturity. Under this call DigiFed is willing to offer services, tools and solutions to SMEs with low digital maturity to raise their skills and existing products as well as further innovative technology integration to SMEs with higher digital maturity together with the opportunity to reach a higher number of potential customers. The deadline for this call is 15th December (5 PM CET). Find out more on this page (https://digifed.org/open-calls/open-call-2/) . ============================================================ Contents of the month ** Latest book by our Board Member Prof. Jay Mitra: "Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Regional Development: An Introduction." (http://www.insme.org/latest-book-by-our-insme-board-member-prof-jay-mitra-en...) Jay Mitra, Professor of Business Enterprise and Innovation at Essex Business School, Chairman of the International Entrepreneurship Forum and INSME board member just published his latest book. ** The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls upon the EC to draw up a "Next Generation SME Strategy” (http://www.insme.org/the-european-economic-and-social-committee-eesc-calls-u...) SMEs are the backbone and engine of Europe’s economy, the European Commission intends to reorient its strategy for SMEs, focusing on the current most relevant issues followings the Covid-19 outbreak. ** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTRVQSshV3M) ** The Asian Development Bank reports climate change investments after the Covid-19 outbreak (http://www.insme.org/the-asian-development-bank-reports-climate-change-inves...) According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) (INSME Member), the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping economies across Asia and the Pacific through investments and changes in policies. 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. 3 - 4 November, Online event ** EBN Innovation Network Congress 2020 "Regional Ecosystems Shaping European Innovation" (http://www.ebncongress.eu/) 5 – 6 November, Online event ** AECM Virtual Annual Event (https://aecm.eu/events/aecm-virtual-annual-event-2020/) 6 - 24 Novermber, Online event ** WIPO roving seminars on WIPO services and initiatives (https://www.wipo.int/dcea/en/roving_seminars/webinar/#upcoming) 11 November, Online event ** AGORADA+2020 (http://www.eurada.org/upcoming-events/agorada2020/) 16 – 17 November, Online Event ** European Business Summit 2020 Edition (https://www.ebsummit.eu/?utm_source=flexmail&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_campaign=ebs20206&utm_content=rebooting+the+european+economy) 16 – 17 November, Online Event ** SME Assembly (https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/sme-strategy/sme-assembly_en) 16 - 20 November, Online Event ** 2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Meeting of the International Trademark Association (https://www.inta.org/2020Annual/Pages/Home.aspx) 18 November, Online Event ** High-Level Joint OECD - INSME Session (http://www.insme.org/20-years-after-the-first-oecd-sme-ministerial-conferenc...) 24 – 26 November, Online Event ** 2020 International Triple Helix Summit (https://triplehelixsummit2020.triplehelixassociation.org/) 1 – 3 December, Online Event ** IASP's 37th World Conference "The human factor: People, communities and their innovation ecosystems" (https://www.iasp.ws/activities/events/events-overview---old/37th-iasp-world-...) ** 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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