ESA is taking a certain number of measures in support of industry competitiveness in general and of SMEs’ (Small and Medium-size Enterprises) in particular. SMEs active encouragement to participate in its technology programmes is a constant effort of ESA industrial policy and many examples of achievements are featured online at the ESA SME dedicated Portal (http://www.esa.int/SME) under “SME Achievements).

This encouragement is implemented through a programme of support actions called the "ESA SME Initiative", initiated in January 1999, and including a set of measures tailored to facilitate SMEs’ access to ESA programmes and to improve the conditions under which they operate.

Helping SMEs improve their technical skills and competences through "Training and technical assistance" is one of these measures, pursued since 9 years now. To scale up this support to SMEs needs, ESA and the European Commission have launched a new project called Space Intelligence, Engineering & Quality Network (SineQuaNet) specially aiming at providing hands-on support and/or training.

The training programme of this year is organised within the frame of that project, but the courses, as usual, has been elaborated thanks to the dedication and full commitment of ESA internal experts and some external consultants, who will also deliver these courses to you. The SME Unit thanks all these colleagues wholeheartedly.