The event focused on presenting and discussing the preliminary regional findings of the assessment, exchanging views on progress made since the completion of the questionnaires, and taking stock of recent developments in SME policies and programmes across the Western Balkans and Türkiye. It brought together over 40 participants in person and more than 70 online, including policy makers from the region, representatives of EU Delegations, the European Commission, the European Training Foundation (ETF), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the OECD, providing a dynamic platform for policy dialogue and peer exchange.
The OECD team presented the refined assessment methodology and highlighted key regional trends, followed by an in-depth discussion of findings across four thematic clusters. The discussions were highly constructive, with economy coordinators underlining both the robustness of the process and the practical value of the SME Policy Index as a strategic tool to inform national SME policy design, support the preparation of key strategic documents – including Reform Agendas – and guide reform implementation. The preliminary findings resonated strongly with participating economies and were broadly validated through the exchange. Overall, the event confirmed the continued relevance of the SME Policy Index as a shared analytical framework and a catalyst for evidence-based SME policy making across the region.
