The ATLANTIC NET project seeks to stimulate the creation of a trans-national network to promote the full use of the potential of the advanced telecommunications services and information technologies among the SMEs of the Atlantic Area, notably new infrastructure, software packages and experiences, new e-business solutions, etc. . ATLANTIC NET foresees putting into place activities for technical assistance and dissemination. Notably, it will develop five pilot projects aimed at eliminating obstacles that the NTIC encounter which prevent their implantation in Atlantic SMEs. Achievements: ✔ Creation of a network of cities participating in the project, companies, organisations and people with expert knowledge of ITC ✔ A study to examine the current situation and the needs of SMEs in terms of ITC ✔ Search for and identification of new partnerships ✔ Website now put online: www.euatlanticnet.org Dissemination of brochures on ATLANTIC NET in the 4 languages of the project, publication of a journal specific to the project ✔ Creation of a best practices forum and of a strategic reference document on the programmes which promote and develop ITC for SMEs ✔ Creation of a cooperation platform enabling the participating cities to carry out joint pilot tests and to succeed in their initiatives. 4 projects have been developed