PAXIS II calls for proposals announced
The success of PAXIS, an EU-funded project that aims to encourage innovative business start ups, has led to the announcement of PAXIS II for which DG Enterprise is currently receiving proposals. PAXIS stimulates regional networks of organisations involved in business start ups to exchange information and experience. Some of the issues raised, such as project management and information transfer for example, also hold potential lessons for research and development partnerships The aims of PAXIS II are essentially the same as in PAXIS. PAXIS II will focus on identifying and validating schemes that succeed in incubating new firms with funds being distributed to three distinct action lines: networks playing a role in innovative start-up; cross-border projects and; accompanying measures (for example a website to facilitate network interactions). An example of a successful project that includes all three of these action lines is the PANEL (Pyrenean-Alpine network of entrepreneurial liaisons). Representatives of business incubation centres in the regions of Barcelona, Milan and Munich have met to exchange knowledge, expertise and best practice and improve the practical support and information they provide to entrepreneurs. PAXIS II will further document the policy decisions and measures that enable regions to be innovative and competitive while simultaneously facilitating the transfer of that knowledge to other regions.