OPIC 2014-2020 is the instrument, directly related with the achievement of the EC purposes for growth and jobs, smart growth (Priority Axes 1, 2). The SME support for internationalization is included in Priority Axis 2: “Entrepreneurship and capacity for SMEs growth”; Investment Priority 2.2.; Specific purpose 2.2. OPIC includes many measures for stimulating the export, including raising the SMEs competitiveness, improving their management capacity, etc. There are no, however, measures addressing the SMEs by regions, especially tailored for those in remote areas. At regional/local level measures for encouraging internationalization are foreseen in the Municipal Development Plan of Varna 2014-2020 (MDPV). They are included in Priority Axis 2 of the document: Entrepreneurship and growth capacity of SMEs. The realization of these measures is supposed to be funded by different sources that are not specified, thus putting them into risk never to be realized. Another disadvantage is that the policy instruments at national and regional/local level are not well synchronized. The great challenge of the project is to elaborate a measure for stimulating the SMEs internationalization in remote areas, with the close collaboration between the national and regional/local stakeholders. It will be proposed for adoption in OPIC 2014-2020. A respective measure, which will be funded only by OPIC, will be included in the actualization of the MDPV too. This will guarantee its implementation.

This policy instrument has been included in the ERDF Operational Programme of Extremadura region, under the Priority Axis 3 “Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs”, Investment Priority 3 (d) “Supporting the capacity of small and medium sized enterprises to grow in regional, national and international markets and to engage in innovation processes”.

In line with the RIS3 of Extremadura and with the aim of developing an internationalized and competitive business and industry, a series of support measures will be available to companies in order to help them overcome any existing difficulties in developing their export activities. This will be done through two main actions:

- Financial support aimed at promoting the internationalization of companies, the consolidation and strengthening of their export capacity and the access of Extremadura products to foreign markets.

- Technical support to companies, with the delivery of services such as the organisation of trade missions, promotional events, consulting services, etc.

In this context, we consider that these actions should be improved and adapted to the specific situation of SMEs in the framework of the smart specialisation areas of Extremadura in order to enhance the internationalisation of our regional products and services. 

CRESC Algarve 2020 is the policy instrument which combines the strategic guidelines of RIS3 with the financial instruments for the Algarve towards 2020. it is structured in 5 main topics for intervention:

1. Innovation and diversification - Expand the business economic base, increasing employment and the enhancement of endogenous resources;

2. International Competitiveness - Strengthen the value chains of consolidated and emerging activities identified by the regional RIS3. Create conditions for the enhancement of international position of the region and the increase of the production of tradable goods and services;

3.Territorial Value - Strengthen the regional identity and enhance the natural resources of excellence. Create conditions for the emergence of innovation in green economy, improve energy efficiency and training and rational use of resources;

4.Cohesion and Inclusion - Reduce disparities and existing territorial imbalances, while ensuring a less fragmented territory and a coherent and competitive urban network, capable of stimulating the toughening of the economy;

5.Capacity Building for Employability - Adjust and refocus regional skills for employability and create conditions for the emergence of creative and innovative responses, whether in specialized or advanced offerings. Strengthen regional leadership and empowering partnerships, strengthening the representation in national or international networks.

For the 2014 to 2020 programming period Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) in England are responsible for designing and delivering strategies on how best to use this funding. Each LEP area will receive a national allocation from the funds for seven years to deliver its European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds strategy which must be spent in line with a set of overarching priorities set out in the EU regulations. The Coventry and Warwickshire LEP (CWLEP) area has a notional allocation of 135.5m Euro.

The ultimate aim for the Strategic Economic Plan is to improve the economic competitiveness of the Coventry and Warwickshire economy, as this remains the benchmark against which developed economies continue to be measured. To that end, CWLEP is determined to increase employment and wealth opportunities for all. Under the theme 3 Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, there is a particular emphasis on supporting internationalisation of SMEs. Following the economic downturn the number of new businesses has started to increase in the last two years, it is recognised that young businesses are particularly vulnerable to failure in the first few years of their existence. Investment will also focus on helping established SMEs to enhance their competitiveness on both a national and global level, and on improving their resilience to future economic turbulence.

The ROP ERDF Abruzzo 2014-2020 is currently being approved by the EC and provides for a total budget of about 231 million Euros. The region, with support from the ERDF, for the 2014-2020 programming period has enabled 8 Priorities:

I. Research, Technological Development and Innovation,

II. Spread digital services,

III. Competitiveness of the economy,

IV. Promotion of a low carbon,

V. Reduction of landslide risk,

VI. Protection and enhancement of natural and cultural resources,

VII. Sustainable Urban Development,

VIII. Technical Assistance.

Competitiveness under Axis III of the production system, measures have been developed for the internationalization of SMEs and support their growth in international markets. These objectives are pursued by the Abruzzo region, including through the identification and support of combinations directed to the development of the innovative capacity of firms such as Innovation Poles as Capitank.

Capitank is the Innovation Pole of the chemical pharmaceutical industry, made up of large companies such as Sanofi, Dompé, Menarini, Alfa Wassermann, the three University of Abruzzo and many SMEs. Capitank will develop important activities in developing activities to promote the competitiveness and the entrepreneurial system and to strengthen its position on the domestic and external markets, as well as to guide the actions of the Abruzzo region in the development of the internationalization of local companies