Organisation for SME Sector Development (ODIMM), Moldova
The Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development was established to support and improve the development of the SME sector in the Republic of Moldova and to meet the Governmental priorities set out in its SME-oriented strategies and programmes.ODIMM is a non-profit non-commercial organization, with the status of public institution, governed by public law, created by Government Decision nr. 538 dated on 17 May 2007, working in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and other central and local public administrations, business associations, business support providers and SMEs.
Acting as an implementing agency, with 19 permanent specialized staff, ODIMM assures the implementation of the state-funded projects and programs, as well as of projects and programs financed by national and/or international organizations, 22 in total.
ODIMM’s main functions:
-Elaborate and implement programs & projects for SME sector development;
-Administrate the State Credit Guarantee Fund;
-Offer grants for migrants and young entrepreneurs;
-Render consulting services and organize activities to equip with skills needed;
-Create and develop the network of Business Incubators in Moldova;
-Support the formation of clusters and innovative networks;
-Sustain the development of business associations and business support providers;
-Collaborate with similar national and international institutions;
other.
European Regional Framework for Co-operation (ERFC), Greece
ERFC is established in a converge region (Western Greece), with an ever expanding network of offices in other Greek & EU Regions.
ERFC, aims at serving as a best example of bottom up Institution Building effort towards EU Integration and regional competitiveness, playing a key role, contributing in the implementation of EU Regulations and Directives through its participation in EU funded networks & projects, at interregional level. Mainstreaming EU project recommendations into National & Regional policies is its ultimate goal.
Territorial Co-operation is enhanced as ERFC‟s members and associates are key EU Integration executive persons, Public Bodies, Academic Institutions and Civil Societies, primarily from EU but also from the rest of the word, securing the creation of economies of scale.
www.erfc.gr
Association of Cross border Cooperation “Lower Danube Euroregion (ACT EDJ), Romania
The Association of Cross Border Cooperation “Lower Danube Euroregion” (ACT EDJ) is a non-governmental organization and the executive structure of the Lower Danube Euroregion, having as founding members the public administrative units from Romania, Ukraine and Republic of Moldova. Throughout 13 years of cooperation in the Lower Danube Euroregion area, the ACT EDJ succeeded to achieve the establishment for
-an Integrated Centre of Cross-Border Cooperation and Economic Development Zatun – Galati, Romania
-a Cross border Cooperation Centre for Environmental Protection – Vladesti, Galati, Romania
-a Centre for Environmental Management for Moldova
The Association is extensively experienced in organizing capacity building events with associated elaboration of relevant training curricula in the area of social-economic and community development, including ethnical empowerment.
A significant contribution of ACT EDJ has been directed to establishment and consolidation of cross-border partnerships for public and private sector stakeholders of Romania, Ukraine and Moldova, including for non-governmental organizations.
As well, the Association has experience in creating and exploiting professional networks through the implementation of a range of local and EU-funded projects.
The Association team comprises certified project managers and trainers in the area of project management, sustainable development – economic and strategic planning and eco-efficiency, who brought value to cross-border partnering, strategic planning and economic development and experience exchange within the Lower Danube Euroregion.
Regional Fund for the Support of the Entrepreneurship of Zaporozhye region (RFSE), Ukraine
Regional State Administration Regional Fund (RFSE) is one of the five leading Funds in Ukraine. The Ukraine State Committee for Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship repeatedly rewarded RFSE for its activity in reforming national economy, creating favorable business climate, developing the SME market in Ukraine.
RFSE is one of the main and regular participants to the Regional Program for the Support and Development of the Entrepreneurship. Within the Program, RFSE organizes free of charge seminars and round-tables for small-scale enterprises on a quarterly basis, and maintains a „hotline business consultation‟ facility, mainly focused on primary info-needs on legal, accounting, management and other issues. As well, RFSE contributes to publishing annual reference books and informational leaflets designed for start-up entrepreneurs
RFSE is considered a “tool” for financing business-plans of small-scale enterprises - during 9-years period, more than 140 business-plans of micro enterprises were financed, totally valued at 6,3 millions UAH, contributing to the creation of over 1200 new jobs.
In 2010 RFSE became an associate partner in the Project “Increasing entrepreneurial potential in the cross-border region by setting up enterprise support institutions” (Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013).
Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center (SME DNC), Armenia
“Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center” Fund (SME Development National Center of Armenia) was established by Government of Armenia in 2002. SME Development National Center is authorized to provide state support to SMEs in the country. The support is provided through implementation of annual SME State Support Programs with resources allocated from State budget.
Since 2002, thousands of SMEs benefited from various support programs designed for start-up and operating companies.
SME Development National Center of Armenia’s activities are targeted at:
-Ensuring a dialogue between SMEs and state
-Increasing efficiency and competitiveness of SMEs
-Ensuring availability of business development services for SMEs
-Expanding the financial opportunities for SMEs
-Promoting innovations and R&D activities of SMEs
-Assistance for establishment of new SMEs
-Supporting internationalization of SMEs‟ activities
-Technical and Financial Assistance Programs
SME Development National Center of Armenia provides its services mainly through specialized private companies selected through tender procedures. Services provided to SMEs are co-financed by SME Development National Center. Starting from 2008 SME Development National Center is hosting Enterprise Europe Network Correspondence Center in Armenia. The Network offers support and advice to businesses across Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network is made up of close to 600 partner organizations in more than 40 countries, promoting competitiveness and innovation at the local level in Europe and beyond.SME Development National Center of Armenia actively cooperates with a number of international organizations developing and implements joint support programs with, among others, UNDP, UK DFID, JICA, and OSCE
www.smednc.am
Middle Black Sea Development Agency (OKA)
Middle Black Sea Development Agency (OKA) has been established by the decision of the Council of Ministers on November 10th, 2008 in order to support economic, social and cultural development of four cities located in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey. These cities are Samsun, Amasya, Tokat, and Çorum, among which Samsun has been chosen as the centre of the Agency.
OKA is one of the regional development agencies which have been founded by the Turkish Government throughout the whole country in the NUTS-2 regions to coordinate regional development, to introduce strategies to enable regions to use their capacities to the maximum benefit of the region, to supply the region with the means to improve their competitiveness and reduce the imbalance existing within and between the regions.
Objectives of the Agency are to improve the cooperation between public sector, private sector and NGOs and to promote the effective and efficient use of the resources in order to accelerate the sustainability of the regional development by evoking the local potential.
Duties of the Agency are as follows:
-Providing technical support to the planning activities and duties of local authorities,
-Supporting the activities and projects ensuring the implementation of regional plan and programs; monitoring and evaluating the implementation process of activities and projects supported within this context and presenting results to the Under secretariat of State Planning Organization,
-Contributing to the improvement of the capacity of the region concerning the rural and local development in accordance with the regional plans and programs, and supporting the projects within this extent as well,
-Monitoring other projects implemented by public sector, private sector and non-governmental organizations in the region and considered as important in terms of regional plan and programs,
-Improving cooperation between public sector, private sector and non-governmental organizations to achieve regional development objectives,
-Carrying out research, or having them carried out, concerning the determination of resources and opportunities of the region, acceleration of economic and social development and enhancement of competitiveness, and supporting other research carried out by other persons, organizations and institutions.
www.oka.org.tr
