The European Small and Mid-Cap Awards aim to promote best practices and encourage more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access capital markets via IPOs. This is a joint initiative of the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the European Commission, EuropeanIssuers and the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE). 

SMEs created the foundation for the European economy today and in the future. More than 98% of EU firms are SMEs, and they account for two-thirds of all employment as well as nearly 60% of the gross value added in the EU economy. As the basis for entrepreneurship, jobs and growth, SMEs require a favourable environment which meets their financing needs, in particular when accessing markets.

The Awards Ceremony was organised for the first time in 2013 by EuropeanIssuers and FESE, at the initiative of the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the European Commission. These two associations represent together the European securities exchanges and the companies listed on them. Since 2020, the Awards is organised as part of the European Commission's SME Assembly.

The Awards showcase the diversity of European markets and aim to promote stock listings, in particular targeting SMEs and growth companies. These companies are critical to European economic recovery and to accomplishing the EU’s goals of job creation, competitiveness and growth.