The new Single Market Programme (SMP) brings together six previous programmes from different policy areas, in particular the grants and contracts part of COSME. The Single Market Programme aims to help ensure a well-functioning Single Market for goods and services, to provide high quality statistics on all EU policies and to coordinate capacity building for joint action between the Commission and Member States. The SMP brings together many activities under one coordinated umbrella to reduce overlaps. One strand provides various forms of support to businesses, in particular SMEs. It aims to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability in particular:
- facilitating access to markets;
- promoting entrepreneurship and the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills;
- promoting industry modernisation and tackling global and societal challenges.
Specific types of support actions are identified in an annual funding decision and in many (annual) SMP work programme sections.