SMEs work digitally and networked, but for most of them it is hardly feasible to also participate in shaping the framework conditions of digitisation. There is simply a lack of time and sometimes also of other resources. Against this backdrop, we talked to SMEs and associations about two focus topics of digitization: digital platforms and cloud services. To what extent are they used, what are the current deficits and challenges from the SME perspective?

The results and observations are summarized in the paper, Key Points from Project “Internet Governance: Strengthening the Voice of SMEs”. It also presents options for action to address existing problems. The project itself aims at advancing the participation of SMEs in the national and international Internet governance discussions. The project is managed by Grothe Medienberatung and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.