Reaching the renewed Lisbon strategy goals : analyzing centralised and decentralised policies, regulatory framework and funding programmes for small and medium enterprises

Abstract

At the Lisbon summit in March 2000, European Union leaders set out a novel strategy, based on an agreement amongst Member States, to modernize Europe. This became recognized as the "Lisbon Strategy". After initially modest results, the Lisbon Strategy was simplified and re-launched in 2005 as a partnership between the EU and Member States focused on growth and jobs with the objective of ensuring that the economies of the EU Member States are able to cope with demographic changes and are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities offered by globalisation. The first chapter of this study analyses the introduction and development of the Lisbon Strategy at an EU level and the eventual introduction of the Small Business Act. The next chapter deals with the development of the SME definition at an EU level and how this definition was translated into schemes, policies, and legislation at a National Level. The next three chapters deal with the way in which Malta has responded to the Lisbon Strategy Targets in relation to Research and Development and Innovation, Employment of Disadvantaged and Disabled Workers, and Energy and Climate Change analysing the state aid regimes allowed in these fields and how this has effectively been translated into national policy