•    Innovation is crucial for competitiveness and for future growth: Innovation and development of technologies are of vital importance for the competitiveness of companies and regions, as it provides the basis for future growth.

•    Micro, small and medium enterprises are faced with structural deficits in the innovation system: Innovation is a cumbersome and prolonged process that involves considerable costs. Over 95% of companies in SEE are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These companies are facing structural deficits such as limited access to information, low resources and inadequate funds for innovative entrepreneurship. They are also confronted with an uncertain operating framework for developing and implementing innovative products, procedures and technologies.  

•    Micro, small and medium enterprises need support to improve their innovation capacity:  Accordingly, one of the most important challenges is stimulating innovative entrepreneurship for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the use of an appropriate range of instruments, i.e. grants, guarantees, patent protection, etc., that enhance the framework conditions and strengthen an environment conducive to innovation.