Periodic Reporting for period 1 - In Transit (Strengthening the resilience of textile, aerospace, and construction SMEs to transition towards greener and more digital sectors with social and business innovation)
Período documentado: 2022-12-01 hasta 2024-05-31
In Transit aims to strengthen the resilience of SMEs in the textile, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and construction sectors by promoting greener and more digital business models. This is achieved through a mixed support mechanism that includes individual assessment, lump sum grants, and coaching to ensure sustainability and consolidation.
In a rapidly evolving global economy, industries across Europe face significant challenges driven by technological advances, market fluctuations, and changing consumer behaviour. Traditional sectors must adapt to remain competitive, while new industries must navigate complex market landscapes. In Transit project was conceived to address these pressing needs, focusing on facilitating industrial transitions and fostering sustainable growth.
European industries are undergoing significant transformations due to digitalization, automation, and the shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
The rapid pace of technological change presents both opportunities and challenges for industries. Companies need to adopt new technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and innovate their products and services.
Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are driving the adoption of sustainable practices. Industries must transition to greener operations, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Industrial transitions can lead to job displacement and skills mismatches, creating social challenges that need to be addressed. Ensuring social inclusion and equitable growth is crucial for maintaining social stability and economic prosperity.
Overall Objectives
In Transit project aims to support European industries through their transitions by:
- Supporting the Objectives of the European Green Deal and EU SME Strategy, through innovative new business models.
- Facilitating the green, social and economic transition of SMEs as a path towards building a more resilient European industry.
- Fostering cross-regional and cross-sectoral links. Creating platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration between industry stakeholders.
In Transit has created an open online collaborative platform with 198 innovation actors from the four selected sectors. This platform serves as a space for sharing best practices and as a matchmaking system for new ideas in innovation and the circular economy, fostering new collaboration partnerships.
In a rapidly evolving global economy, industries across Europe face significant challenges driven by technological advances, market fluctuations, and changing consumer behaviour. Traditional sectors must adapt to remain competitive, while new industries must navigate complex market landscapes. In Transit project was conceived to address these pressing needs, focusing on facilitating industrial transitions and fostering sustainable growth.
European industries are undergoing significant transformations due to digitalization, automation, and the shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
The rapid pace of technological change presents both opportunities and challenges for industries. Companies need to adopt new technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and innovate their products and services.
Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are driving the adoption of sustainable practices. Industries must transition to greener operations, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Industrial transitions can lead to job displacement and skills mismatches, creating social challenges that need to be addressed. Ensuring social inclusion and equitable growth is crucial for maintaining social stability and economic prosperity.
Overall Objectives
In Transit project aims to support European industries through their transitions by:
- Supporting the Objectives of the European Green Deal and EU SME Strategy, through innovative new business models.
- Facilitating the green, social and economic transition of SMEs as a path towards building a more resilient European industry.
- Fostering cross-regional and cross-sectoral links. Creating platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration between industry stakeholders.
In Transit has created an open online collaborative platform with 198 innovation actors from the four selected sectors. This platform serves as a space for sharing best practices and as a matchmaking system for new ideas in innovation and the circular economy, fostering new collaboration partnerships.
In Transit project is structured as a pathway around three main activities: Incubate, Innovate, and Develop. Each stage includes a series of events and initiatives designed to support industrial transitions and foster innovation.
The Incubate was focused on providing foundational support and creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Under Incubate we have organised 4 Clarifying Regional Workshops. These workshops were designed to clarify regional needs and opportunities, setting the stage for effective collaboration and innovation.
Matchmaking Events:
- 1st Matchmaking in Barcelona (May 2023): An event that brought together various stakeholders to explore potential partnerships and collaborations.
- 2nd Matchmaking in Graz (May 2024): Another opportunity for networking and establishing connections between different industry players.
26 SMEs received travel vouchers to participate in the matchmaking events.
2 Learning Expeditions (LEs) with 15 travel vouchers for participants:
- Ljubljana, Slovenia (January 2024): A learning expedition providing firsthand insights into regional industrial practices and innovation.
- Seville, Spain (February 2024): Another expedition aimed at fostering learning and collaboration through on-site visits and interactions with the aerospace and advance manufacturing industry.
These activities aimed to establish collaboration between sectors by identifying potential partners for commercial and innovation cooperation, ultimately generating growth opportunities for SMEs.
Innovate is dedicated to supporting SMEs through coaching and funding opportunities. In the 1st call (May 2023) a total of 68 proposals were submitted and 50 SMEs were selected to participate in the programme. The selected SMEs benefited from coaching topics, with a mix of 10 group sessions and 9 individual coaching sessions. The services included assisted self-assessment, circular/digital diagnostics, coaching/training at strategic level, and support in preparing a Develop proposal. 12 of them succeed in the 1st Develop call, receiving bonuses for their participation. The second call for proposals is currently open.
Develop aims to advance selected projects through targeted coaching and financial support. The 1st Call was launched in January 2024, and 144 proposals were submitted, demonstrating strong interest and participation. 22 projects involving 31 SMEs were selected for funding. These companies will receive coaching sessions to support their project development and go-to-market strategies through five coaching topics. The coaching and project implementation started on June 1st, 2024.
Project activities and results are being intensively disseminated and communicated via the website (with 2,800 users) and social media (with 554 LinkedIn followers) by all partners, greatly contributing to the project's successful implementation.
The Incubate was focused on providing foundational support and creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Under Incubate we have organised 4 Clarifying Regional Workshops. These workshops were designed to clarify regional needs and opportunities, setting the stage for effective collaboration and innovation.
Matchmaking Events:
- 1st Matchmaking in Barcelona (May 2023): An event that brought together various stakeholders to explore potential partnerships and collaborations.
- 2nd Matchmaking in Graz (May 2024): Another opportunity for networking and establishing connections between different industry players.
26 SMEs received travel vouchers to participate in the matchmaking events.
2 Learning Expeditions (LEs) with 15 travel vouchers for participants:
- Ljubljana, Slovenia (January 2024): A learning expedition providing firsthand insights into regional industrial practices and innovation.
- Seville, Spain (February 2024): Another expedition aimed at fostering learning and collaboration through on-site visits and interactions with the aerospace and advance manufacturing industry.
These activities aimed to establish collaboration between sectors by identifying potential partners for commercial and innovation cooperation, ultimately generating growth opportunities for SMEs.
Innovate is dedicated to supporting SMEs through coaching and funding opportunities. In the 1st call (May 2023) a total of 68 proposals were submitted and 50 SMEs were selected to participate in the programme. The selected SMEs benefited from coaching topics, with a mix of 10 group sessions and 9 individual coaching sessions. The services included assisted self-assessment, circular/digital diagnostics, coaching/training at strategic level, and support in preparing a Develop proposal. 12 of them succeed in the 1st Develop call, receiving bonuses for their participation. The second call for proposals is currently open.
Develop aims to advance selected projects through targeted coaching and financial support. The 1st Call was launched in January 2024, and 144 proposals were submitted, demonstrating strong interest and participation. 22 projects involving 31 SMEs were selected for funding. These companies will receive coaching sessions to support their project development and go-to-market strategies through five coaching topics. The coaching and project implementation started on June 1st, 2024.
Project activities and results are being intensively disseminated and communicated via the website (with 2,800 users) and social media (with 554 LinkedIn followers) by all partners, greatly contributing to the project's successful implementation.
The In Transit project is poised to deliver significant impacts across multiple dimensions, particularly in terms of economic growth, innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, and social inclusion in the textile, aerospace, construction and Advanced manufacturing sectors.
The results of the projects are not available at the time of this report, as the 31 selected companies will start implementing their Develop projects as of June 1, 2024.
The results of the projects are not available at the time of this report, as the 31 selected companies will start implementing their Develop projects as of June 1, 2024.