Supporting the Digital Transformation of SMEs in the Eastern Partner Countries

Eastern Partner (EaP) countries have taken significant steps to advance business digitalisation over the last few years. Still, challenges remain and support to SMEs remains a priority to further accelerate and facilitate the uptake of digital technologies and the digitalisation of business processes.

In order to address these needs and support EaP governments in their reform efforts, the OECD and German Development Co-operation have joined forces in the context of the project “Supporting the Digital Transformation of SMEs in the Eastern Partner Countries”, funded by Germany.

To provide more effective support to SMEs, governments need to further develop the digital ecosystem and institutional landscape of digital support agencies, formulate effective digitalisation strategies, design relevant SME support programmes and secure adequate financial support for these initiatives. The project supports these efforts through:

• Capacity building for public-sector stakeholders responsible for digital transformation policies through regional policy dialogue and sharing of good practices among EaP and OECD countries.
• Design of country-level policy roadmaps to strengthen the overall institutional framework, operational environment and the range of support programmes for the digital transformation of SMEs.

The “Supporting the Digital Transformation of SMEs in the EaP Countries” project is implemented by the OECD and German Development Co-operation, funded by Germany. 

For more information, please contact Daniel Quadbeck, Head of  Unit for Eastern Europe and South Caucasus, Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate, Daniel.Quadbeck@oecd.org.