Of all EU businesses, 91.8% are micro. This group of businesses is accountable for more than two-thirds of the EU’s workforce. Micro- and small enterprises are the engine of the European economy. However, setting up and developing a microbusiness in Europe is still burdensome. People from disadvantaged groups face particular difficulties in establishing a small business or becoming self-employed, and this includes, but is not limited to, (long-term) unemployed and economically inactive people, migrants, young people, lone parents (often women), disabled persons and seniors.

Beside high administrative barriers, access to finance is a major problem for them.