Capacity-building and transnational cooperation for National Contact Points (NCPs) for the EIC under Horizon Europe

Project Information

ACCESS2EIC

Grant agreement ID: 101046298

DOI

10.3030/101046298

EC signature date 11 February 2022

Start date 1 February 2022

End date 31 January 2029

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 4 003 007,01

EU contribution

€ 4 003 007,00

Coordinated by

AGENZIA PER LA PROMOZIONE DELLA RICERCA EUROPEA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ACCESS2EIC (Capacity-building and transnational cooperation for National Contact Points (NCPs) for the EIC under Horizon Europe)

Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2025-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The aim of ACCESS2EIC project is to empower European Innovation Council (EIC) and Eurioean Innovation Ecosystem (EIE) National Contact Points (NCPs) and facilitate cooperation amongst them to provide enhanced service across Europe. The network aim to improve professionalisation and skills of EIC-EIE NCPs across Europe and identify and share good practices, promote trans-national cooperation and rise the general standard of support to programme applicants, taking into consideration the novelties under Horizon Europe, the third pillar “Innovative Europe” and the various stakeholders within the EIC-EIE.
The impact of the project is to enhance access for applicants to EIC calls, lower the entry barriers for newcomers as well as those based in those countries registering a low participation rate, widening countries and women entrepreneurs, and raise the average quality of proposals submitted. At the same time enabling NCPs to deliver better services to applicants across Europe, empowering NCPs and establishing coordination mechanisms with other EU programmes will further develop the pan-European Innovation Ecosystem, creating synergies between programmes within Horizon Europe and the EU as well as act as a bridge with national programmes and funding instruments.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the project we set up a Rolling Traing Plan to identify relevant topics for EIC/EIE NCPs and training methods, tools and format to be used to organise the training. Organised 16 trainings and meet & exchange workshop dedicated to EIC/EIE NCPs, some time open also to EEN members. The project developed the methodology to prepare an e-learning courses dedicated to NCPs, participants and other stakeholders.
The network worked to produce tools and products for the EIC scheme (Pathfinder, Transitio and Accelerator) to support potential applicants and less experienced NCPs to approach the schemes and give some inputs to start the proposal preparation. We published The Factsheet on EIC Pathfinder Open - Interview with Timo Hallantie, Head of Unit at EISMEA, EIC TRANSITION: The evaluation process: the testimonial of a successful proposer, EIC Accelerator Short Pitch Deck Guide 2023. New appointed NCPs can also benefit from these tools since represent a kind of guide to learn more about the three instruments. These tools are stored in Access2EIC website and open to the public.
Access2EIC project tackled the point on synergies between EIC and the other complementary instruments (SoE, Plug-in, Fast track). A survey “Synergies between EIC & direct complementary instruments: SoE, EIC Plug-in and Fast Track.” has been distributed among NCPs to investigate the stat of paly of the instruments among the Countries. A workshop dedicated to Plug-in as been organised. Currently, an interactive map of applied solutions across the participating MS is being prepared. The main goal of the tool will be to present relevant programs across UE countries, delivering NCPs and applicants knowledge needed to navigate effectively within european innovation ecosystem.
The network operate a strategic collaboration with the EEN2EIC Coordination Office, particularly EIC “Support to the EIC Accelerator by the Enterprise Europe Network”, including an on-going exchange mechanism. We create synergies between the developed tools of both projects for better supporting associated and widening countries and women led innovative companies apply for the EIC Accelerator, including capacity building activities for both NCPs and EEN.
The project are working on activities fostring the usde of financial instruments to expand and complement Horizon Europe funding opportunities. In particular we are performing matchmaking initiative between EIC Transition laureates or future participants and potential investors using a match-making platform created by Bpifrance (EuroQuity) to put growth companies in contact with development partners and investors. At the moment Access2EIC is one of the most active and dynamic communities on EuroQuity with 2228 members registered.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Recurring Training plan: defined and completed for Year 1, survey to adapt the plan for Year 2 in preparation. Sinergy with EEN2EIC, Ligthroom, Eureka, Eurostars and EIT achieved by co-organisation of training and event of common interest. 4 training identified to be on the Platform: an introductory video has been uploaded for all of them, further content will be added in the next period. Year 1 (2022): 4 onsite, + 7 online. Year 2 (half of the year in this report): 3 onsite + 2 online. All courses had above 20 participants (all details in Table 1.2.2.2.a).

Maximizing synergies between EIC companies, innovators with investors and more effective utilization of financial engineering instruments and access to related investor’s support facilities, building further the European Innovation Ecosystem through targeting of these stakeholders (investors and financial intermediaries). 3e-pitching events dedicated to EIC Transition beneficiaries.