Small and medium-sized enterprises are making great progress in digitization: All the more important for them to become more involved in shaping collaboration on the Internet.

At the IGF 2019, elements of an SME Charter were published, intended to promote the further participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in future Internet governance processes. The SME Charter was a German contribution to the IGF 2019. Germany hosted the international event in Berlin this year.

In addition, a High-Level Session focused on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in Internet governance. Discussion topics included the use of data, the role of digital platforms for small and medium-sized enterprises and the question of how SMEs can combine their strengths, joining forces in managing digitization.

Moderated by Friederike Grothe, the panel included María Fernanda Garza, CEO of Orestia and Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Mexico; Heike Hölzner, professor at Berlin University of Applied Sciences and partner at sirius minds, a research and consulting firm for digital business models; the Kenyan entrepreneur Su Kahumbu Stephanou, founder and CEO of Green Dreams Ltd. and iCow, an award-winning mobile based application supporting African farmers with practical information; and Pavel Kazakov, founder and CEO of the online company GAIWAN Tee Manufaktur and board member of Young Entrepreneurs Business Organisation Germany.Small and medium-sized enterprises are making great progress in digitization: All the more important for them to become more involved in shaping collaboration on the Internet.

Background information: The project Internet Governance – Opportunities for SMEs was implemented by Grothe Medienberatung in cooperation with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) as its research partner. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.