The SBA implementation in wallonia .

1. The SBA implementation in wallonia. A European goodpractice

3. "Small Business Act": the European context Integration of the "Small Business Act" into the Walloon political agenda The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia Why is the Walloon SBA considered as good practice by the European Commission? Conclusions and Remarks

4. 1. "Small Business Act": the European context • The "Small Business Act for Europe" was adopted in December 2008 • 10 principles expressed as actions to be implementedby the European Commission and Member States

5. 1. "Small Business Act": the European context • February 2011 : second communication concerning the "Re-examination of the Small Business Act for Europe“ • Assessedtheactionscarriedout • Proposes several new actions and formulates 29 additional recommendationstoimprovethe SBA implementation • Asked Member States to appoint SME Envoys • Asked SBA implementation at national/regional levels

6. In 2009 strong demand of Social Partners (representatives of the employers and union organizations) • Invited the Walloon Government to build on the measures developed in the “SBA" by making the theme of support for SMEs a specific priority for the next Walloon Government. The WalloonGovernment responded in its Regional PolicyDeclaration (2009-2014) in announcing that it : • wished to launch a true Walloon plan for SMEs building on the European Small Business Act in order to make the spirit of initiative and entrepreneurship the true foundation of Walloon dynamism, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development 2. Integration of the "Small Business Act" into the Walloon political agenda

7. This strengthening was launched in the larger context of the Marshall 2.Green Plan which is the economic revitalization plan of Wallonia 2. Integration of the "Small Business Act" into the Walloon political agenda • In 2011, the Minister of the Economy and SMEs decidedto strengthen the implementation of the « SBA » in Walloniawith a specialfocus on 4 out ofthe 10 SBA principles: • Entrepreneurship • Internationalisation • Finance • Innovation

8. How do we implement the SBA in Wallonia? • The Walloon SME Envoy • The Walloon SBA monitoring • The Walloon SBA reporting •  Stakeholders’ consultation 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia

9. The Walloon SME Envoy • Following the Commission‘s recommendations a ‘Walloon SME Envoy’ has been appointed by the Walloon Government This mission has 3 aspects: • Acting as an intermediary between the Walloon level and the federal State and the Belgian SME Envoy to promote the Walloon SBA implementation. • Monitoring regularly the Commission’s recommendations implementation in Wallonia. • formulating recommendations relating to new actions to be implemented in order to strengthen Walloon political support for SMEs 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia

10. The Walloon SBA monitoring 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia Steering committee has been created in order to maximize the synergies between the Walloon public actors concerned by one or other aspects of the SBA's 10 areas of focus.

11. The Walloon SBA monitoring The SBA Steering Committee, which is controlled by the SME Envoy, is responsible for • Assessing ongoing actions • Setting itself new targets • Initiating new actions • Monitoring the SBA implementation in Wallonia The SBA SteeringCommitteeiscalled in by the SME Envoy4-5 times a year 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia

12. The Walloon SBA reporting The SME Envoy prepares an annual report concerning the implementation of the SBA's 10 areas of focus in Wallonia. 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia Collect informations through the SteeringComtmittee The writing of the report embraces all the relevant Walloon stakeholders through a large collaborative method inside the ‘SBA Steering Committee’ Writting process

13. The Walloon SBA reporting 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia • Thisreportservesasreportingfor : • The Europeanlevel: • FactSheets • ‘Commission technical visit’ regarding Industry • and innovation, • the ‘National Reform Plan’ • The Walloon level : • The regional Government • SBA Steering Committee • Social Partners (representatives of the employers and union organizations) • SMEs (through the Walloon SMEs’ Parliament) • The Belgian level : • Federal • Other Regions The annual report aims also at highlighting good practices.

14. Stakeholders’ consultation and decision making process 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia High Level Group Representative of employers Top down process Horizontal process The walloon Economic & Social Committee SME ENVOY Unions Organizations Bottom up process Regional Goverment The Wallon SMEs’Parliament

15. Stakeholders’ consultation The Walloon SMEs‘ Parliament Objectives: • Keeping SMEs informed • Consulting SMEs directly concerning the implementation of the SBA in Wallonia Designedtobeparticipative • Entrepreneurs are questioned directly concerning the different aspects of the SBA they would like to see improved during the next year • After a vote, these proposals are submitted to the SBA Steering Committee to evaluate their feasibility 3. The implementation of the SBA in Wallonia Composed by : +/- 300 SMEs’ managers from very different sectors of activity

16. The Walloon SBA Recipe 4. Why is the Walloon SBA recognised as a good practice by the european Commission ? Strong political support monitored Based on existing structures Peer review Strucured Boostdecision-makingprocess Inclusive Reported Stakeholders’consultation Annual report

17. 5. Conclusions and remarks Some achievements • ENTERPRENEURSCHIP: Acculturation courses for futures teaching graduates • FINANCE : • The SOCAMUT automatic combination product • Increase visibility of innovation financing possibilities

18. Fullreportavailable on ourwebsite: www.economiewallonie.be Antoine BERTRAND, Policy Officer in chargeofthe SBA