The SMERF Strategy and Action Plan were jointly developed by project partners from seven countries to provide a practical framework for helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more prepared for future economic, technological and environmental challenges. The documents define what it means for an enterprise to be SME Ready for Future across four key pillars and established a common approach that can be used by business support organizations, regional authorities, innovation agencies and SMEs themselves.
The Strategy and Action Plan include: a definition of the SME Ready for Future concept across four development pillars; a system for assessing the level of readiness and progress of SMEs; a methodology for diagnosing strengths, weaknesses and development needs; principles for identifying and selecting SMEs suitable for transformation support; and practical guidance on implementing the SMERF approach and using its tools and services. The Strategy and Action Plan provide a shared methodology that supports organizations and SMEs beyond the lifetime of the project. The documents can be used as a reference for designing business support programs, assessing enterprise readiness and planning long-term transformation activities.

The SMERF Diagnosis Tool was developed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assess their readiness for future challenges and identify practical pathways for business transformation. The platform provides SMEs, business support organizations, innovation agencies and regional authorities with easy-to-use tools and resources for evaluating development needs and planning improvement actions.
The platform includes:
- A self-assessment tool that enables SMEs to evaluate their level of advancement across four key pillars of future readiness;
- A transformation planning tool that generates tailored development scenarios for each participating SME based on the assessment results. The scenarios addressed areas such as innovation management, digitalization of business and production processes, collaboration with external partners, resource sharing, and environmentally sustainable business practices. The tool also recommendes relevant support activities and development opportunities;
- An Inspiration Knowledge Base containing practical guidance, examples, methodologies and learning resources related to the four pillars of SME future readiness.
The platform remains a useful resource beyond the project lifetime. SMEs can continue using it to identify strengths, improvement areas and future development priorities, while business support organizations and public institutions can use it to support enterprise development and transformation initiatives.

This model was developed to help organizations effectively support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their transition towards more innovative, digital and sustainable business models. The model brings together the methods, tools and lessons learned during the SMERF project into a structured approach that can be applied by universities, research organisations, business support organisations, innovation agencies and other institutions working with SMEs. It provides practical guidance on assessing transformation needs, strengthening innovation capabilities, adopting digital technologies and implementing sustainable business practices. The model remains relevant beyond the project's completion as a transferable framework that can be adapted to different regional and sectoral contexts. Organizations supporting SMEs can use it to design advisory services, training programs and innovation support activities, helping businesses become more resilient, competitive and prepared for future challenges.