SME funding in the V4 countries – similarities and differences

Abstract

The Visegrád countries share a common historical and economic background, as well as a cooperation framework established in the 1990s to pursue shared objectives. Historical events have had a significant impact on all four countries and continue to influence their present-day situations. This is also true for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector operating within these countries. In terms of competitiveness and development, SMEs require external support, which they can access—indirectly—through funding opportunities provided by the European Union. These opportunities are channelled through various operational programmes, tailored to each country’s economic context and future strategic goals.

This study examines the operational programme documents affecting the SME sector across two programming periods, 2007–2013 and 2014–2020, based on a defined set of analytical criteria. Based on the eight programme documents reviewed across the two cycles, it can be concluded that all four countries aimed to modernise their national economies and strengthen research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) activities. During the planning process, each country considered its specific circumstances and adapted its strategic priorities accordingly in the next period. The number and breakdown of priority axes also followed this logic. Overall, no significant structural differences were found among the countries' documents, as both the main objectives and the defined priorities were formulated in a largely similar manner.