The expected results of the project were defined in five dimensions from the identification of key stakeholders to maximize project multipliers.
Dimension 1 - Identify and involve key stakeholders as early and as extensively as possible
Stakeholder identification includes more than 500 entities with diverse profiles that were targeted in the communication activities. The second level of involvement was achieved through the cluster mission activities in two waves. One on late 2019, focusing on dissemination of open calls. The second on late 2021, disseminating project results to maximize impact. The third level of direct involvement was through the innovation challenges. The first round led by consortium clusters focused on attracting SMEs to the open calls, the second round led by external clusters of tourism and fashion industries achieved cross-domain goals of the project.
[Figure 6 - Block.IS Cluster Missions and Innovation Challenges]
Dimension 2 - Reach a pan European dimension by being present in as many countries as possible
The Block.IS consortium had 12 partners from 10 countries with complementary networks. It was a good starting point to be able to reach the entire continent. Block.IS was present in 36 EU and H2020 associated countries with the following activities:
• Acceleration programmes: 88 SMEs from 24 countries.
• Cluster missions: 76 entities from 23 countries.
• Innovation challenges: 28 entities from 18 countries.
• Organization or participation in events in additional 6 countries.
[Figure 7 - Block.IS Geographical engagement]
Dimension 3 - Assure wider dissemination of project results
The project worked from very early in designing an effective communication and dissemination strategy. The branding, visuals and communication strategy supported the project goals, to attract the best projects to the open calls and provide high visibility to the projects we funded.
To provide high visibility to the support projects the website has a section named “Hall of Fame” where visitors can discover all the projects funded, and extra information on the 20 ones that reached the experiment phase. All funded projects tackle important challenges for the general citizen and SMEs, such as: food traceability, circular economy, or tracking of value chains in the context of NGOs and United Nations support programmes.
[Figure 8 - Block.IS Project and programme dissemination]
Dimension 4 - Create programmes and procedures that could be replicated in other projects
Within our team, Block.IS was one of the first projects to fully adopt lump sum model. The team created rules, procedures, and templates to manage open calls and acceleration programmes. The smooth and transparent implementation of Block.IS acceleration programme, provided guidance for the implementation of acceleration programmes, later established as processed for the F6S Innovation team. The concept of Block.IS programme was replicated in projects such as: COVID-X (#101016065), and ADMA TranS4MErs (#101037866).
Dimension 5 - Maximize project multipliers by bringing to the ecosystem as many clusters as possible
Cluster from the consortium and external clusters actively engaged in Block.IS by designing the content of the open calls, providing domains experts, and contributing for the uptake of the results. VOICT is leading the 3B ICT Cluster Network an initiative of clusters from the Balkan, Black Sea, and Baltic region that emerged from the participation in Block.IS which grouped 12 clusters from the region to discuss the possibility to actively work on replicating the Block.IS model on their networks.
