JUN 27 2026
Ubiwhere contributes to the new NetworldEurope SME WG position paper on the role of SMEs in European innovation
Ubiwhere is one of the organisations that collaborated on the new position paper by the NetworldEurope SME Working Group, entitled “SMEs’ Role in European Innovation: Framework Recommendations to Enable Better SME Contributions in FP10”, through the contribution of Ana Pereira, Head of R&I at Ubiwhere.
The document analyses the role that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises should play in the future 10th European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, FP10, advocating the need to create more suitable conditions for SMEs to contribute effectively to Europe’s innovation, competitiveness and technological sovereignty. As Europe prepares the architecture that will guide research and innovation over the next decade, the position paper highlights that the decisions being made now will have a direct impact on how SMEs participate, lead and scale technological solutions. Issues such as funding models, eligibility criteria, representation in governance structures and consortium-building rules are identified as determining factors to ensure that SMEs are not merely participants, but genuine strategic actors in European innovation.
The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking emerges as a relevant example of the contribution that SMEs can make to the European research and innovation ecosystem. According to the data presented, the results demonstrate that when the design of European programmes creates space for SMEs to lead, scale and influence strategic direction, they take on a central role in Europe’s innovation capacity.
Ubiwhere’s contribution, through Ana Pereira, Head of R&I, reinforces our positioning as an active participant in European research and innovation ecosystems, particularly in the areas of smart networks, advanced connectivity, 5G, 6G and digital transformation. By taking part in this strategic reflection, Ubiwhere contributes to a more inclusive, competitive and impact-oriented European vision, in which SMEs play an essential role in creating technology, knowledge and value.
For Ubiwhere, this participation reflects its continued commitment to collaborative innovation and to the development of technological solutions capable of responding to the current and future challenges of society, territories and the digital economy. You can access the position paper here.
