The global economic crisis has had a major impact on the economies of EU Member States and on the livelihoods of millions of households. GDP has declined, many businesses are struggling, unemployment has risen sharply. The EU responded with the European Economic Recovery Plan, which encouraged...

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are the backbone of Europe’s economy: there are 23 million SMEs in Europe representing around 99% of all undertakings, and 57% of them are sole proprietorships. They provide two thirds of total private-sector employment, represent 80% of the total job...

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are the backbone of Europe’s economy: there are 23 million SMEs in Europe representing around 99% of all undertakings, and 57% of them are sole proprietorships. They provide two thirds of total private-sector employment, represent 80% of the total job...