The Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) aims at encouraging the competitiveness of European enterprises, either by directly supporting them or by supporting policy makers when developing tools to make companies more competitive and innovative. With small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as its main target, the programme supports innovation activities (including eco-innovation), provides better access to finance and delivers business support services in the regions. It encourages a better take-up and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) and helps to develop the information society. It also promotes the increased use of renewable energies and energy efficiency.
The programme is running from 2007 to 2013.