THE EUROPEAN UNION RESPONSES TO THE IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON SMEs IN THE ITALIAN AGRI-FOOD SISTEM

Within Europe 2020 Strategy the maxi Framework Programme Horizon 2020 cover a prominent role. SME Instrument is an implementation tool which had largely contributed to the development of innovative initiatives within the Small Medium Enterprises system focusing on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. SME instrument is staggered in three phases and the first two phases are the concrete vehicle to obtaining financing. This paper provides the concrete robustness of the accessions to 2019, i.e. the total number of beneficiaries SMEs and the corresponding amount of financing, with a focus on the following fundamental sectors of the Agro-food system: "Agriculture & Fisheries", "Food and Beverages", the first of which has more intercepted funding, favoring innovation especially for SMEs in some Countries of the Mediterranean Basin. Furthermore, between the two sectors, we have shown, through the r Pearson coefficient, how for some countries there is a positive agreement. As a result of the Covid 19 emergency, SMEs have known the consequences of the restrictive regulatory measures of containment. The question is whether this curb could have contributed to undermine the evolution analyzed, causing a serious slowdown, or even an interruption in some cases, to the operatively of Small Medium Enterprises. Faced with this phase of uncertainty European institutions elaborated a new EIC Pilot Program supporting SMEs continuing SME Instrument s positive path and taking in to account the current epidemic.