Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MontEENegro (MontEENegro) Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-01-01 al 2019-12-31 Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto During this reporting period EEN Montenegro has provided in-depth services enhancing the innovation capacity of SMEs. This specific activity has offered mentoring and coaching services to beneficiaries with the objective to increase innovation capacity of SMEs and personalised support to help shape innovation potential into international commercial success. The purpose of this process was to assist SMEs to develop their innovation management capabilities to increase their competitiveness and to grow more effectively. The Montenegrin consortium intended to support SMEs in addressing factors hindering successful innovation cycles. SME Instrument was supposed to help high-potential SMEs to develop ground breaking innovative ideas for products, services or processes that have been ready to face global market competition. Highly innovative SMEs with a clear commercial ambition and a potential for high growth and internationalization have been the prime target. Activities aimed at (1) providing substantial consulting and support services in the form of Key Account Management (KAM) for SME instrument beneficiaries and at (2) enhancing the innovation management capacity (EIMC) of SMEs. The consurtium wanted to provide these services in an additional but integrated way to the usual EEN activities related to the SME competitiveness and innovation. The consortium had a pool of 7 people to assess the SME’s needs, to support the choice of a right coach and to moderating the coach-client relationship, ensuring that beneficiary receives the most appropriate support services which enhance the probability of a successful and sustainable exploitation of its innovation project. The EIMC service was targeted to SMEs with significant innovation activities and with concrete potential for international growth, about product, process, service or business model innovation.The overall objective of the Project was to offer the Montenegrin SMEs tailored support to allow companies to implement a global strategy and be able to quickly take advantage of cross‐border activities, so they can count with a competitive advantage that will facilitate their access to European and international markets. Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti We have promoted in direct contact potential applicants for Horizon 2020 SME instrument, but the most part of the approached SMEs showed less interest than before in applying for Horizon. Currently Montenegro lacks infrastructure for innovation support when it comes to technical and research capacity. Most companies are working in the field of construction, tourism and trade and they need to open up to innovation in order to be able to think about development, SME instrument, creating partnerships with technology centres, etc. During this period we had not provided KAM service, no cases were supported, and all resources were directed to EICM. However, in order to promote this service as well as to support innovation of Montenegrin SMEs, we held different presentations to wider audience during different events (organized or coorganized by EEN Montenegro partners), and also organized visites to companies working in the field of: furniture production, tourism, construction, IT and finance. During these presentations and meetings with company officals we have presented H2020 offers and benefits, explained the process and procedures of applying, IMP³rove Assessment or the Innovation Health Check tool and presented benefits for SMEs when banckmmakring them to EU companies working in the same field. Also being involved in innovation assesment, they would start thinking about and developing innovation management. The objective of EIICM service is to empower such SMEs by helping them to unlock their potential through better management of the innovation system. We have prepared the following selection criteria for SMEs:• Company with at least 3 years in business• SME with innovative product/service/process• SME with high potential for internationalisationDuring this period MontEENegro has assisted 11 SMEs in completion of IMP3rove assessments. EEN staff has been trained properly in previous period, assessed the innovation management capacity accurately and effectively, and thus, completed all given tasks. Most of SMEs appreciated EEN assistance during the process. Generated IMP³rove reports clearly indicated where innovation management could generate more profitable and sustainable growth based on the international benchmarks from the IMP³rove database. The IMP³rove benchmarking reports have been a well-structured starting point for developing the most suitable actions to improve the SMEs’ innovation management performance. After studying the assessment reports, we have identified needs and gaps and proposed action plans where the main challenges/gaps were addressed. Their implementation suggested measures for addressing gaps and bottlenecks in the innovation management as well as ones intended to enhance strengths. Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora) By assessing the current status of the innovation management system in the SMEs and consequently proposing and implementing an action plan to address the main bottlenecks, the SMEs were able to improve their innovation management capacities. With stronger innovation management capacities, the SMEs were able to gain a better market position and to save costs. The SMEs indicated cost savings and identified areas for improving their innovation management performance and competitiveness. Results obtained through EIMC services show a positive impact on services proposed to companies. EIMC services represent a significant key for SMEs to promote themselves: some of our assessed companies took advantage from the report to certify their innovation capacity towards potential clients and investors, or used it to enhance the credibility to obtain a grant for their project. Other potential direct impacts could be to improve the companies` overall economic results both in income, profit and new job creation; to overcome identified barriers presented in the business plan; to have more efficient set-up of processes and strengthen the competitive position; to enhance SMEs innovation management capacities; to change the companies` structure and make effective decisions increased, etc.
