The Academy Avignon is a Think Tank and research institute, elaborating and proposing initiatives for the development of a European enterprise culture, especially in the light of new challenges in innovation and globalisation by undertaking studies, research and public discussion, together with universities and institutes of the various Member States, about the role of SMEs and craft trades in Europe. 19.3 Mio enterprises with more that 97 Mio employees and about 120 associations profit from Academy Avignon’s working results.

Organised as a Non Profit Organisation, Academy Avignon adds value to the role of entrepreneurial associations, especially in the light of its capacity to represent the interests of the enterprises and to promote the development of collaborative economic ventures;

Academy Avignon motivates the exchange of experience and know how for employers and their employees as well as helping to offer respective training programmes and develops support concepts with regards to the creation of these structures in countries other than those of the European Union.

These objectives situate the role of Academy Avignon in the middle of the crucial issues regarding craft and small enterprises and in close relationship with other actors which are confronted with such issues: enterprises, research institutes and enterprise organisations. These aspects make the Academy Avignon not a generic research body but constitute its innovative character as a European institution for craft and small businesses.

The name Academy “Avignon” is named after the city where it was inspired by the 1st European Crafts Conference of the European Commission in Avignon / France in 1990. Though independent, Academy Avignon is closely cooperating with its founding organization UEAPME and NORMAPME. Academy Avignon is financed by those and by clients of individual projects and studies.