WORLD EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

Abstract

The article examines the global experience of state support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of achieving sustainable development goals. The criteria for classifying enterprises as micro, small and medium-sized are clarified based on key indicators such as the average number of employees, revenue and asset value. The competitive position of SMEs in the modern global economic system is determined, and their important role in ensuring sustainable economic development is substantiated. It is shown that SMEs make a significant contribution to job creation, stimulate inclusive economic growth, and increase household incomes in different countries and regions, particularly among women, youth and socially vulnerable population groups. The study demonstrates that the flexibility of organizational structures and the ability to apply innovative approaches in financial and economic activities provide SMEs with considerable potential for developing and implementing eco-innovative technologies aimed at reducing the negative environmental impact of business operations. At the same time, one of the main barriers to the participation of SMEs in the global green transition is their limited access to financial resources and long-term capital. A comprehensive analysis of the key instruments of state support used in different countries to promote the greening of SME activities is carried out. These instruments include preferential lending, state guarantees for loans, grant programs, and tax incentives aimed at stimulating environmentally responsible business practices. It is established that modern support mechanisms increasingly focus on encouraging the development and commercialization of green technologies, the digitalization of economic activities, and the integration of sustainable development principles into business strategies. The results of the study indicate that the formation of accessible financial instruments and targeted policy measures for SMEs should become a priority direction of state policy, as it contributes to accelerating the implementation of green innovations and achieving sustainable development goals.