Multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005)

PURPOSE : to phase out the JEV programme and return the unspent funds to the general budget of the EU.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Decision 593/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Decision 2000/819/EC on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005)

CONTENT : the Commission's evaluation of the Growth and Employment Initiative as at 29 May 2002 concludes that the take-up of the JEV programme by the market is low, the job creation effect limited and the administrative cost very high and that JEV should be phased out as soon as possible. This decision phases out the JEV and returns the unspent funds to the general budget. The financial intermediaries may present applications for financial contributions from SMEs to the Commission until 29 December 2004.

The Commission will submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an annual report on the implementation of the financial instruments of this programme for 2004 as well as a similar end report for 2005 (the final year).

In addition, the Decision:

- makes a more explicit reference to the eligibility of RTD activities under the ETF Start-up Facility;

- updates the reference to the fifth framework programme for RTD (in order to take account of the launch of the sixth framework programme);

- extend the definition of the start-up period for specific high technology sectors, in particular life sciences, to 10 years (to reflect the extended pre-commercialisation product development and testing phases that are characteristic of these particular sectors).

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 05/09/2004.