The European Commission has published an update on the progress made by EU countries in simplifying start-up procedures in 2015. Simplification of administrative procedures remains high on the EU political agenda. The Commission regularly monitors progress by all EU countries in simplifying start-up procedures and reducing the time and cost of starting a company.

A team set up to help a number of Member States use EU funds more efficiently has completed its intensive work schedule, which included more than 100 technical meetings and seminars. In cooperation with eight countries, the Task Force for Better Implementation (TFBI) has eased bottlenecks and backlogs in the allocation and spending of EU Structural Funds.

The summary of the brochure providing an overview of the possible combinations of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is now available in all EU languages. The brochure published on 22 February is designed to help local authorities and project promoters make full use of the opportunities of combining the EFSI and ESI Funds.

The Commission is today launching a public consultation to hear the views of entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as all other stakeholders, on how to improve the environment for start-ups in the EU. The consultation launches the Start-up Initiative announced in the Single Market Strategy which aims at creating favourable conditions for entrepreneurs to start up and scale up their businesses in the EU.

In the framework of the H2020 project EISS - Eco-Innovation Support Services using the Twinning Advanced methodology, project partners will elaborate a Design Option Paper (DOP), which will serve as a “guide” or a “handbook” to other innovation agencies to design and/or deliver similar, more enterprise-friendly programmes and services on eco-energy efficiency.

Green areas in cities, like parks, public gardens and nearby forests fulfil a variety of functions, ranging from ecological values to recreational functions. They also provide aesthetic value and they play a role in promoting public health. In a general way, these areas contribute to a better quality of life of the inhabitants.

Business support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) remains a common focus for the Member States’ financial instruments. Success factors for these instruments include the importance of managing authorities understanding SMEs financing requirements. Success is also aided when SMEs understand the support available from managing authorities.

Smart specialisation (S3) emphasises the identification of niches, cross-sectorial innovation and solving societal challenges. With this comes a need for an outward-looking dimension, to find a region’s potential advantages in international markets, and to identify partners to help deliver new solutions and solve common challenges.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Société financière de la NEF (la NEF) have signed the first Social Entrepreneurship guarantee agreement aimed at supporting more than 300 social enterprises in France under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).