Barriers and drivers towards eco-innovation for SMEs: Evidence from the context

Eco-innovations have become a clear target of EU policy strategies. Consequently, measuring eco-innovation performance at the country level has crucial to detect patterns and design implementation. This paper focuses on small medium enterprises (SMEs) with aim understand what extent funding programmes influence barriers drivers towards SMEs’ performance. A correlation analysis between data from Eco-Innovation Scoreboard index competitiveness innovation framework programme/Entrepreneurship programme/Eco-innovation programme projects database reveals that countries highest number funded are those lowest levels green early-stage investments. According findings, reduce financial constraints SMEs face for developing eco-innovations. recommends policymakers should keep in mind dynamic interaction private public support, latter is customised according entity risk along cycle. Keywords: Eco-innovation, barriers, drivers, strategies, index.