Funds available
EUR 7.5 million of EU financing for micro-entrepreneurs in Greece. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Cooperative Bank of Thessaly (CBT) have signed a microfinance guarantee agreement in Greece. This agreement allows CBT to provide loans to 500 micro-entrepreneurs – very small companies – over the next five years in the Thessaly region and across Greece.
First Venture Capital fund of fund in Croatia launched by EIF and the Croatian government. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of Croatia (MRDEUF), established a new Venture Capital Fund with an acceleration component. This fund will invest into risk capital funds targeting local small and medium-sized enterprises with high growth potential.
EU policies for better business
Trade: EU to implement provisional safeguard measures on steel following US tariffs. The EU will implement provisional safeguard measures on steel following the implementation of tariffs by the United States. These new measures will enter into force once formally adopted in July.
European Commission and World Bank put forward solutions to make life easier for businesses in the EU. Last week, the EU Commission and the World Bank published a new report “Doing Business in the European Union”. This report assesses what supports or hinders entrepreneurs in setting up and expanding businesses in 25 cities in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Slovakia. The report identifies solutions to improve local business environments and save time and costs for companies in 5 key areas: starting a business; dealing with construction permits; enforcing contracts; getting electricity; and registering property.
Get involved
What can we do better to fight counterfeiting? Answer this public consultation on infringements of intellectual property rights by 2 October 2018.
Can you use open data about the EU to help people and improve lives? Submit a proposal for an app, develop it, pitch it in Brussels and win a share of the €40.000 prize money.