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In the framework of the implementaion of the "MICROSTARS" project, funded by the “Greece - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia IPA Cross-Border Programme 2007-2013”, co-financed under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), the Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA) along with the Microcredit Foundation Horizonti published out the project's 1st Newsletter.

2014 was the first year of positive employment growth in European SMEs since the financial crisis. The annual report on European SMEs for 2014 shows that the financial situation for small and medium enterprises is on the mend, and that they have started hiring again.

European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT), has published the Framework of Guidance for the EIT’s 2016 Call for KIC proposals. To further enhance its impact and to incentivise the innovations needed to meet societal challenges, EIT continues expanding its' activities in 2016 by launching a call for two new Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was launched in 2004, to help the EU support and foster stability, security and prosperity in the countries closest to its borders. The EU remains committed to these goals, but events of recent years have demonstrated the need for a new approach, a re-prioritisation and an introduction of new ways of working.

On 30 November, the EESC, in cooperation with the Maltese Chamber of Commerce, is organising a conference on "EU industrial policy – does a one-size-fits-all approach work?" The implementation of the EU industrial policy will be discussed, with reference to topics such as innovation, internationalisation and governance.

Micro-enterprises, as well as small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), are considered as a driver of the economy of the European Union (EU), creating jobs and contributing to economic growth. In 2012, of the 22.3 million enterprises in the EU’s non-financial business economy, an overwhelming majority (92.7%) were microenterprises (with 0 to 9 persons employed) accounting for 29.2% of employment, 7.1% were small and medium enterprises (with 10 to 249 persons employed) accounting for 38.0% of employment, and 0.2% were large enterprises (with 250 or more persons employed) accounting for 33.0% of persons employed.

Today at the Enterprise 2020 Summit, the European Commission and business leaders launched the 'European Pact for Youth' to improve partnerships between business and education to boost the chances of young people getting jobs.

The Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions aims at promoting greater understanding of the main issues affecting organised civil society in the Euromed region and at discussing the common challenges they face.

The 2015 European Semester kicked off last November with the Annual Growth Survey, which outlined the new Commission's three-pillar jobs and growth strategy: boosting investment, accelerating structural reforms and pursuing responsible, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation. In February, the Commission published a series of country reports in February, analysing Member States' economic policies, which are summarised in a Communication. The reports include in-depth reviews of the 16 countries identified in November as experiencing macroeconomic imbalances.

With the onset of the crisis, employment rates and especially youth employment and youths' labour market performance deteriorated quite rapidly in the EU. A chart featured in the Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review of June 2015 showed that the worst seems to be over, but it remains to be seen whether this trend reversal is confirmed.

The European Commission has launched today a first stage consultation with EU social partner organisations on how to improve work-life balance and reduce obstacles to women's participation in the labour market. This consultation follows the recent withdrawal of the Commission's 2008 proposal to amend the Maternity Leave Directive.