EU Enlargement is now a reality. From May 1^st 2004 10 new countries became members of the European Union, laying the foundations for the most significant process of political and economic changes that the European Institutions have ever experienced since their creation. It has significantly modified not only the structure of the European Union but both its institutions and its policies.

Indeed, Enlargement is the key factor that will determine European Union’s future. It responds not only to a historical necessity, but it is a unique opportunity for the whole continent as well.

The political and economic development which has been taking place in the Eastern European countries has led them towards a real process of democratization with all its consequences in terms of new markets and investment opportunities.

Therefore, SMEs operating in areas bordering candidate countries need to be better aware of the potential new business opportunities offered them on the other side of the border. For this reason SMEs need to be fully acquainted with any new openings offered by business co-operation, as well as be prepared to successfully face market or management problems due to the changes caused by enlargement.

The B.O.S.S. project (Business Opportunities and Services for Small-micro companies) has been conceived in response to these needs, aiming to assist three EU border regions (Veneto and Friuli Venezia-Giulia in Italy and Central Macedonia in Greece) in the economic adjustment due to the enlargement process.

However, the project will be a "European-wide initiative," since it will create the necessary conditions for a true productive commercial integration between old and new Member States of the European Union. This is the only way in order to ensure Europe’s future economic stability and prosperity.