This project researched the availability, quality and impact of support services provided to would-be entrepreneurs and new entrepreneurs in Europe. The project's activities included an assessment of the situation and trends in Europe as regards support to would-be entrepreneurs and newly established businesses, with a focus on young people and women; a proposed benchmarking tool to enable entrepreneurship support providers to assess their own initiatives and to identify areas of strength as well as areas for improvement; and the presentation 50 best practice services and related case studies. The project provided recommendations, addressed to the EU authorities, policymakers and business support professionals at national, regional and local levels, emphasising the need for a better understanding of the role of support services in the design of policy and interventions, then concerning the practical operation of support services.