Coopération Bancaire pour l’Europe is a Brussels-based European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG), funded in 1992 by a group of European banks. CBE has 10 members from 3 European Countries, including European banks and chambers of commerce, therefore reaching a large network of banks, SMEs and economic associations from all over Europe.
CBE aims to foster economic development in Europe and to contribute to the achievement of the Europe 2020 Strategy targets by providing its members and their clients with information and support to properly understand EU policies and strategies. A further aim of CBE is supporting innovative SMEs in getting access to EU market and finance. CBE carries out several initiatives aimed at helping European SME’s and public authorities to develop internationalization processes and to access EU funds. Such initiatives include:
- Monitoring EU regulations on specific thematic areas,
- Organizing thematic conferences and seminars,
- Publishing manuals and guides on European and international funding opportunities,
- Elaborating project proposals and performing project management,
- Supporting SMEs and Large industries in accessing EU tenders.
CBE is an associated member to APRE – Italian National contact point for H2020, EBN – Innovation network, Assocamere estero – the Association of Italian Chambers of commerce in the world, and PROMOS – Special Agency of the Milan Chamber of Commerce for the internationalization of SMEs. These networks and collaborations contribute to achieve the general objective of CBE focusing its activities on innovative projects and innovative SMEs.
CBE has long-standing expertise in economic development, EU policies and strategies. Furthermore, CBE participated in several EU supported projects and initiatives.
CBE acts as a bridge between the EU and Italian entrepreneurs by providing information, guide and support in accessing EU funding and taking advantage of other opportunities offered in the context of the EU. Furthermore, CBE assists its member banks in becoming intermediaries for EIB and EIF funded financial instruments (InnovFin, etc…). CBE aims at developing its competencies in the aforementioned sectors and provide innovative services to its members.
CBE has strong expertise in assessing business plans and models, assessing project bankability and defining financial instruments to support innovative projects. Moreover, CBE can support training in business development and financial instruments fields; and disseminate project results in Italy and Brussels. As Association of banks, CBE is able to propose interesting project proposals to its own associated partners.
Website: https://cbe.be/