SME Services Action Agenda

Faster progress with your entrepreneurial question

SME service action agenda helps entrepreneurs in Lifeport Region Arnhem Nijmegen with concrete solutions for personnel, AI, energy and growth.

Doing business in the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region means recognising and seizing opportunities. You’ve probably also noticed how quickly the world is changing. New technologies such as AI are emerging, staff are in short supply, energy is becoming an ever-greater challenge and regulations are growing in complexity.
You want to take steps forward, but you’re wondering where to start.

Or you have already tried something, but get stuck because the right knowledge, people or time are lacking. With the SME Services Action Agenda, we help entrepreneurs in our region move forward faster.

Not an extra counter, but a route that works

Many entrepreneurs find that support is fragmented. There are plenty of schemes, programmes and initiatives, but it takes time to find your way around – time you’d rather spend on your business.

That is why the SME Services Action Agenda does not add to what already exists, but rather connects what is already in place.
We bring entrepreneurs, experts and networks together and ensure that the entrepreneur’s enquiry reaches the right place. This means there is no additional point of contact, but rather a clear and swift route to solutions that actually work in practice.

From your question to concrete solutions

Everything starts with what you experience as an entrepreneur. No abstract policies, but real questions from daily practice. Maybe you want to start with AI but don't know how to bring your team along, grow but can't find the right people, invest but get stuck on energy limitations, or work more efficiently without an overview.

Instead of you having to search for answers yourself, we make your question visible and tackle it together. First we find out what is going on, then we make it concrete, and finally we connect entrepreneurs and experts in practical round tables, learning circles and joint sessions.

Learning together, solving together

What makes this approach strong is that you don't do it alone. Many entrepreneurs face the same challenges, but often do not know this from each other. Small groups and communities create recognition, exchange and acceleration. You learn from entrepreneurs who have already taken steps, share experiences and discover solutions that have already proven themselves in practice. Experts and service providers join in to provide targeted help, with solutions that really fit your situation.

Participating in SME services means getting ahead faster. You immediately discover who can help you, without having to search for it yourself, work on concrete solutions that can be applied immediately and build a network of entrepreneurs and partners that will take you forward, both now and in the future.

Who is it for?

The SME service ‘Action Agenda’ is aimed at entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region. From smaller businesses with just a few employees to medium-sized organisations looking to expand. This service is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs who want to develop their businesses but find it difficult to keep up with the pace of change. Whether you’re just starting out on a new venture or are already in the midst of a transition — you’re welcome here.

What we work on together

Entrepreneurs' questions are always the starting point, but we see a number of themes recurring. Many entrepreneurs are looking for solutions around personnel and the labour market. Others want to take steps in digitalisation and AI, but are not sure how. Energy and grid congestion also play an increasing role in business operations and growth.

In addition, topics such as financing, regulatory pressure and smarter cooperation regularly come up. It is precisely by tackling these themes together that more speed and coherence are created.

A collaboration in the region

The SME Services Action Agenda is a joint approach of parties in the region. Organisations such as The Economic Board, VNO-NCW Midden, Startclub Arnhem, KplusV, the Green Metropolitan Region Arnhem Nijmegen and Lifeport@ work together in it. This cooperation ensures that knowledge, networks and support are better aligned.

How can you participate?

Participation is easy and low-threshold. Share a question or case through your business association, join a learning circle or come to a regional meeting. Help think about how services can be improved, because this approach only works with entrepreneurs.

The SME service ‘Action Agenda’ is not a project for entrepreneurs, but one carried out with them: your experience and your needs are at the heart of it. Together, we strengthen businesses, improve support and build a future-proof Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region. Would you like to get involved? Please get in touch at a.rasing@theeconomicboard.com