The call for proposals “Supporting European SMEs to participate in public procurement outside EU”, part of the European COSME programme, is now open.

This call – the first of its kind – aims to improve access for SMEs to public procurement in third countries with which the EU has signed a bilateral or plurilateral agreement that also covers public procurement.

The call is open to business support organisations (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, Federations, etc.), clusters, non-profit organisations (public or private), public authorities (national, regional, local), universities or educational institutions and research centres.

Applicants must be organised in consortia consisting of at least three partners from three different EU Member States and other countries participating in COSME; two partners of the consortium must be from EU Member States.

The total budget for the call is €2 million. Up to five projects will be selected to receive a grant covering 75% of their eligible costs, up to a maximum of €400,000.

The deadline for the call is Tuesday 15 September.

For further information on the call for entries, click here.