Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INNO EEN-M (Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs through the Enterprise Europe Network in Macedonia (INNO EEN-M))
Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31
The team of the INNO EEN-M project delivered the activity by ensuring synergy with the other innovation-related services of the Enterprise Europe Network in Macedonia (EEN-M) and in accordance with the Implementation Strategy. The project provided necessary tools, knowledge and experience for implementation of this activity. The innovation support services brought an added-value to the standard services of the EEN in Macedonia ensuring synergy with the business, technology transfer and R&D services.
The local SMEs were supported and innovation management assessments were delivered. The team used the IMP³rove tool as an assessment tool. Direct consulting support was provided to the companies for facilitating the process of creation and commercialization of new innovations.
The Key Account Management service was not performed as no Macedonian company was granted beneficiary of the SME instrument, FET Open and FTI. Still, this service and its value are well promoted to the potential beneficiaries with high potential for internationalization.
The INNO EEN-M team is composed of three members. All three members have already been trained for Introduction to the IMP³rove Approach training, one in 2014, and the other two in 2017. One of the members attended the advanced IMP³rove training – Innovation Strategy development, 8-9 July 2019, in Madrid, Spain.
The team used the IMP³rove tool as a diagnostic tool for the innovation management capacity assessments and eight 7-days service packages were delivered.
The direct impact of the services provided by this project on clients was evident in: presentation of their innovation shortcomings and utilizing different sources of funding for enhancing their internationalization, innovation and resource capacities; improving the innovation management capacities, increasing their competitiveness, increasing the participation in research and innovation programs (e.g. H2020, SME Instrument).
The INNO EEN-M project activities have been performed in full alignment with the EEN-M Implementation strategy that provides introducing two new, distinct types of innovation services. Furthermore, these services add additional value to the Consortium to perform specific expert innovation services which relate to signposting of EIMC clients to other COSME services.
The direct impact of the services provided by this project on clients was evident in: understanding the importance of the innovation management, and utilizing different sources of funding for enhancing their internationalization, innovation and resource efficiency capacities; improving the innovation management capacities (new business model innovation, HR management, organizational management); increasing competitiveness on the local market (introducing new products and services, new product’s design, new marketing strategy).
The INNO EEN-M provided EIMC service to 8 (eight) local SMEs. Unfortunately, no Key Account Management service for the beneficiaries of the SME instrument, FET Open and FTI was delivered because none SME from North Macedonia was granted SME instrument, FET Open and FTI. Still, the team supports the Macedonian SMEs to apply for SME instrument. The new in-depth service packages increased the awareness about the importance of the development of the innovation management capacities within the SMEs. The promotion went also during the local and regional events and workshops.