The SME Assembly 2019 is just around the corner and will be hosted by the Finnish Presidency of the European Council in Helsinki on 25–27 November 2019. Delegates from across the world will come together to hack policy, discuss enterprise and create the governance structure of the Small Business Act.
This year’s Assembly will feature renowned economist Mariana Mazzucato as this year’s Schumpeter Lecturer as well as a host of sessions on the most cutting edge topics for SMEs and the European enterprise ecosystem, on topics such as Sustainable Finance, the Future of jobs, Women in Finance, the Single Market and more.
“This year’s SME Assembly will be a chance to meet innovation-driven SMEs who look for sustainable ways to grow. Together with them we will work on the future European SME Strategy,” said Kristin Schreiber, Director General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the European Commission.
One of the highlights of the Assembly will be the European finals for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards. 18 shortlisted projects will be competing for the six category prizes and the overall Grand Jury Prize, awarded to the project the jury feels has excelled in their contributions to the European enterprise ecosystem.
Since 2006, the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) have rewarded excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at a national, regional and local level. Over 4000 projects have entered since the awards were launched and in total they have supported the creation of thousands of new companies. The objectives are to identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives to promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship, showcasing and sharing examples of best entrepreneurship policies and practices, creating a greater awareness of the role entrepreneurs play in European society and encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs.
