The questionnaire shall provide information as a basis for elaborating the EESC own-initiative opinion “Next Generation SME strategy – Swift and Efficient Delivery”. The opinion is aimed at bringing in a new impetus in the efforts for supporting and promoting SME in Europe, through drafting and proposing new ideas for how to realize more effective the SME Strategy.

It will focus on suggesting ways for better targeting the policy actions, by closer matching the specific needs of the targeted groups and thus assuring the delivery of tangible results.

The main impression is that the EU policies are too broadly targeted, thus watering down the focus of the actions and failing to deliver visible achievements. Therefore, the main task of the opinion will be to find and propose ways of better focusing the policy-making efforts when implementing the SME Strategy, including by impact assessment at early phase, better shaped monitoring and follow-up of the implementation, possibilities for mid-term reviews and corrective actions undertaking whenever necessary.

In times of COVID-19, it is even more than ever important to use the scarce resources available in a more effective and efficient ways for achieving the ultimate EU goal – promoting growth, digitalization and climate neutrality and creating sustainable jobs by unleashing the SME potential.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

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1. General questions. Which country your company is operating in? (Please tick the correct box)

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2. What kind of SME do you represent? (Please tick the correct box)

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3. What sector your company operates in? (Please tick the correct box)

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4. Are you happy with the current EU definition of SME? (Please tick the correct box and fill in the requested information if you can)

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5. During the past 3 years have you received any kind of EU support for your business? (Please tick the correct box)

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6. If you have received support, please specify its type and approximate amount if appropriate? (Please tick all the boxes you find relevant and whenever possible)

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7. If you have received support, please specify the approximate amount if appropriate?

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8. What is the current most important challenge you face?
(Please rank the most important factors for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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9. Other* (please specify)

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10. Do you know who the SME envoy in your country is?

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11. SME Financing. What are the main sources of financing for your company? (Please rank the most important sources for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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12. Other* (please specify)

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13. Did you receive support to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 crisis?

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14. If yes*, please specify what kind of support

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15. Have you ever used financing provided with the aid of EU financial instruments? (Please tick the correct boxes and fill in the requested information if you can)

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16. Yes* (If you have used such financing, please specify its type)

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17. If you have used such financing, please specify its approximate amount if appropriate

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18. No* (If you haven’t used such financing, please specify why)

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19. If you got a refusal or are not eligible for financing, could you please specify the reason?

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20. Have you ever used a grant from the European Social and Investment Funds? (Please tick the correct boxes and fill in the requested information if you can)

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21. Yes* (If you have used such financing, please specify its type)

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22. If you have used such financing, please specify its approximate amount if appropriate

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23. No* (If you haven’t used such financing, please specify why)

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24. If you got a refusal or didn't agree with proposed conditions, could you please specify the reason?

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25. Have you ever used a financing from an investment fund supported by the European Social and Investment Funds? (Please tick the correct boxes and fill in the requested information if you can)

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26. Yes* (If you have used such financing, please specify its type)

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27. If you have used such financing, please specify its approximate amount if appropriate

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28. No* (If you haven’t used such financing, please specify why)

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29. If you got a refusal or didn't agree with proposed conditions, could you please specify the reason?

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30. Are you familiar with the NextGenerationEU?

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31. Business friendly environment. Which are the most important impediments to the business environment in your opinion? (Please rank the most important sources for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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32. Other* (please specify)

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33. How do you assess the business environment your company is operating in during the last 3 years? (Please tick the correct box)

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34. If you believe that the business environment got worse, please specify why?
(Please rank the most important sources for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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35. If you believe that the business environment got better, please specify why?
(Please rank the most important sources for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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36. If you believe that the business environment got better, please name 3 important initiatives that made a difference

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37. Who is the main driver of changing the business environment for good in your opinion? (Please rank the most important sources for you, marking with 1 the most important one)

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38. Other* (please specify)

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39. Digitalisation and environmental care. Do you think that digitalisation benefits/ would benefit your business?

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40. If yes, in which way?

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41. What should be done to improve the situation for the SME?
(Please provide your opinion)

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42. In creating a business friendly environment? (Please provide your opinion)

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43. In promoting entrepreneurship? (Please provide your opinion)

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44. In improving access to new markets and internationalisation? (Please provide your opinion)

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45. In facilitating access to finance? (Please provide your opinion)

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46. In supporting SME Competitiveness and Innovation? (Please provide your opinion)

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47. In providing key support networks and information for SME (having in mind the Your Europe Business Portal, the Enterprise Europe Network, the SME Internationalisation Portal, the portal on Access to Finance).

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48. In supporting the development of green markets and resource efficiency? (Please provide your opinion)

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