UEAPME (Union Européenne de l’Artisanat et des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises) is the employer’s organisation representing the interests of European crafts, trades and SMEs at EU level. UEAPME is a recognised European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions. It is a non-profit seeking and non-partisan organisation. As the European SME umbrella organisation, UEAPME incorporates 82 member organisations consisting of national cross-sectorial SME federations, European branch federations and other associate members, which support the SME family. Across the whole of Europe, UEAPME represents over 12 million enterprises with nearly 55 million employees.

The main objectives of UEAPME, as the voice of crafts, trades and SMEs in Europe include:
· Monitoring the EU policy and legislative process and keeping its members informed on all matters of European Union policy of relevance to crafts, trades and SMEs
· Representing and promoting the interests, needs and opinions of its member organisations to the EU institutions and other international organisations
· Supporting its members academically, technically and legally on all areas of EU policy
· Supporting the idea of European integration and contributing to European cooperation.

Source: UEAPME