According to the implementation strategy, “because of the current level of development of
innovation within SMEs in the Republic of Moldova, we believe, however, that there are unlikely to
be significant numbers of SMEs eligible for consultancy and Key Account Manager (KAM) support
through the SME Instrument during the next few years, [...] we anticipate that it will realistically
take at least 2--3 years for the Consortium partners to fully develop their capacity for support in this
area, and that more detailed plans related to the KAM role should only be incorporated into the
Workplan for the period from 2017. [..] We do not anticipate this as a significant requirement of the
Consortium for at least 2--3 years. As a result, we have proposed an approach focused on developing
capacity for future support“.
The implementation strategy, as well as the present project, recognizes the need for innovation
management consulting services development, as follows: ”[...]we do recognise a need for clear
planning to develop the necessary capacity. Our approach is designed to ensure, therefore, that all
Consortium members, and especially AITT RM and MTTN reinforce their cooperation with
Horizon 2020 National Contact Points and develop their own relations with European specialists in
innovation projects management, in preparation for more in-depth support to the SME Instrument
(and other relevant Horizon 2020 action) in future.[...] Whilst we expect the Consortium to be in a
position to deliver this activity within the period of the Framework Partnership Agreement, there is
not yet adequate capacity for high quality implementation. For this reason, our early-stage approach
identifies a necessary process of skills and capacity upgrading.”
Taking into consideration that Republic of Moldova had 22 project proposals for SME Instrument
under Horizon 2020, none of them successful and only one proposal received the Seal of
Excellence, we envisage a low number of successful SME Instrument projects for the present
project period.
The objectives of the present project proposal are:
1. To ensure the delivery of “Key Account Management” (KAM) support services for 2 SME
Instrument beneficiaries in Moldova, with the aim of identifying weaknesses in the client
innovation capacities, identify suitable coaches for addressing the identified weaknesses, facilitating
and moderating the coach-client relationship and support client efforts during phase 1 and phase 2
of the SME instrument project;
2. Enhancing innovation management capacity and processes, as defined by the CEN/TS 16555
standard, in client SMEs for 14 companies in Moldova;
3. Developing and testing PRO Business Innovation Moldova partners capacities for consultancy
services required under KAM support for SME Instrument beneficiaries and innovation
management consultancy services in Moldova;
4. Collecting follow-up and impact data for services delivered through the present project, to be
used by PRO Business Innovation Moldova, EEN partners, and other interested third parties
(EASME, EC, IMPROVE Academy).
