REinforce Competitiveness of REgionAl Transport SMEs
SMEs currently employ 55% of the EU workforce in transport, and their important role in the value chain is expected to expand. The rigid value chain of the transport sector is stifling the introduction of innovation by SMEs into new vehicles and transport-related products. SMEs (usually Tier 2 suppliers) find it difficult to interact with vehicle manufacturers, as they generally have short-term supply contracts to Tier 1 companies, who are strongly linked to specific large volume OEMs. Tier 2 SMEs have no collective voice or influence at European level and the EU is not taking advantage of or supporting directly the thriving innovative companies in this sector. ( CUE, 2015, Report  on transport SMEs in regions, INTRASME project-FP7) 
RECREATE will address this market failure and focus on the opportunities that new markets offer to innovative and dynamic transport SMEs through adaption of regional support schemes. RECREATE will improve the capacity and capability of regional transport SMEs to further develop and grow: this includes support for 1. Research and Development  2. rapid development and implementation of products and services 3. Access to finance schemes. 4. Internationalisation opportunities. RECREATE adopts a holistic approach to SME support by by improving all the relevant schemes that could potentially deliver growth to the regional transport SMEs. Recognising the importance and the potential of the transport SMEs in the economies of the regions involved, RECREATE will map transport SME support measures and assess their effectiveness.  The integrated approach adopted by the RECREATE project will drive the identification and development of support mechanisms in the transport  SME sector and it will ultimately deliver Action Plans and policy recommendations for evidence -based policy improvement.