The SME Academy programme fits into the Operational Programme Innovation and Competitiveness (Programa Operacional Temático Competitividade e Internacionalização - POCI) (2014-2020). It aims to make improvements to the general functioning, organisation and competitiveness of SMEs, following a diagnosis of each company's situation. It promotes the development of skills in micro, small and medium enterprises through vocational training.

The training offer of the SME Academy consists of:

• Thematic workshops;
• Awareness raising sessions;
• Thematic seminars;
• Training action for company board members;
• Financial training.

The SME Academy promotes business skills in workshops format, addressed to entrepreneurs, business owners and managers of micro and/or small businesses, focusing on issues related to management and personal development sessions, helping companies to find the most suitable solutions to business recovery and to make the business more efficient.

The programme focuses on two dimensions:

• Increasing management skills of participating entrepreneurs and managers to respond to the challenges of change and innovation processes;
• Obtaining improvements in the functioning, organisation and competitiveness of SMEs, with a focus in solving the problems detected.

Additionaly, the SME Academy regularly promotes initiatives related to Digital Transition.