The ECR believes that entrepreneurs should be put at the heart of Europe’s economic recovery.

The ECR believes that entrepreneurs should be put at the heart of Europe’s economic recovery.

Just some of the measures we’ve supported:
– An ambitious Horizon 2020 reform, focused on support for innovative SMEs and new measures to transfer technology to innovative firms. 20% of the €70bn Horizon 2020 research programme will go to entrepreneurs;
– A ‘Procurement Passport’ & easier subdivision of public procurement contracts to give entrepreneurs easier access to a sector worth 19% of EU GDP, as well as new tools to encourage roll out of innovation in public service delivery;
– Stronger rules to recognise professional qualifications across the Single Market;
– Measures to open up the digital single market to online entrepreneurs such as simpler rules to resolve online disputes;
– Increasing access to finance through the EIB.
– Agreement on EU Regional Development Funds that focuses on boosting entrepreneurship in Europe’s regions.

Amongst the measures we’re campaigning for:
– More flexible labour markets to make recruiting easier, with decisions about employment issues being made closer to workers;
– An ambitious slashing of red tape, particularly focused on the commission’s consultation on the 10 most burdensome laws for small businesses;
– A single portal for finance opportunities available to entrepreneurs;
– An ambitious development of the single market in services and digital;
– A business-friendly data protection regulation that focuses on creating a culture of compliance instead of burdensome box-ticking;
– Global open markets with ambitious free trade agreements;
– Investing in EU Youth Employment Funds for training young people in IT skills and sending them out to gear up small businesses for the digital age.

Our proposals for the Commission’s 2014 work programme set outt an ambitious agenda to support entrepreneurs.