Supports and strengthens governance of the Single Market.
The Single Market Programme (SMP) is a European Union funding programme aimed at supporting and strengthening the governance and functioning of the Single Market. The programme focuses on several key areas, including food safety, consumer protection, support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a more effective single market, high-quality European statistics, and effective European standards. The SMP has a budget of €4.208 billion over the period 2021-2027, designed to provide an integrated package to support the Single Market's recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme consolidates various activities previously financed separately into one coherent programme, aiming to reduce overlaps and focus investment where it will have the most impact. Recent calls for proposals under the SMP include initiatives to boost the development of social economy SMEs in rural areas, support the digital transition of social economy enterprises and SMEs, and address consumer food waste through behavioral change interventions and education. The typical project financing can vary significantly, with one recent call offering up to €1 million for projects focused on social economy missions for community resilience. Criteria for receiving funding include alignment with the programme's objectives, such as enhancing consumer protection, improving the competitiveness of SMEs, and promoting high-quality European statistics. Specific projects and organisations that have been financed are not detailed in the available sources, but the programme's focus on supporting SMEs and consumer protection is evident.