Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INNCASTHUR-20_21 (Services addressing the innovation management capacity of SMEs in Thuringia)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31
The overall objective of the INNCASTHUR-20_21 project was to support local SMEs in strengthening their competitiveness and innovation capacity through the provition of targeted support services. This included in particular to assist beneficiaries of the “Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC) Pilot” instruments under H2020 and the new EIC Accelerator instrument under HORIZON EUROPE in the successful implementation of their innovation projects as well as to support local SMEs in developing and improving their innovation management capacity.
In oder to achieve these objectives the project included two main tasks / work packages with defined procedures and tools for implemetation.
WP1: KAM-services to facilitate the compulsory coaching of all local EIC beneficiaries and
WP2: EIMC-services for the Enhancement of the Innovation Capacity of local SMEs
To all local SMEs, the services have been provided to, the client-centric approach and the hub & spoke model was applied. In this regard, the EEN-STIFT team has further developed and extended its already existing cooperation strategy with the local business and innovation support system to fully implement the HUB & SPOKE model based on the “NO WRONG DOOR” principle on the one hand and designing tailored services around a client/company on the other hand.
Knowldge gained and lessons learned will be be applied to local SMEs in the new EEN contractual period as from 2022 within the frame of the client journey concept.
In oder to achieve these objectives the project included two main tasks / work packages with defined procedures and tools for implemetation.
WP1: KAM-services to facilitate the compulsory coaching of all local EIC beneficiaries and
WP2: EIMC-services for the Enhancement of the Innovation Capacity of local SMEs
To all local SMEs, the services have been provided to, the client-centric approach and the hub & spoke model was applied. In this regard, the EEN-STIFT team has further developed and extended its already existing cooperation strategy with the local business and innovation support system to fully implement the HUB & SPOKE model based on the “NO WRONG DOOR” principle on the one hand and designing tailored services around a client/company on the other hand.
Knowldge gained and lessons learned will be be applied to local SMEs in the new EEN contractual period as from 2022 within the frame of the client journey concept.
Unfortunately, there were no beneficiaries of the respective EU funding schemes in Thuringia, which entitle for KAM services. Thus, none of the 5 KAM service packages planned for 2020/2021, could be achieved.
Regarding EIMC services, 12 were planned to be provided to local clients, but only 5 could be achieved. Regarding the entire EIMC activities within the project period 2020/2021 we in fact did work together with 16 companies in total, all interested in EIMC services, but unfortunately not all of them were able to go through the whole process within the project period.
Main reason for this underachievement is to be found in the Corona pandemic. For EIMC services local information and capacity building events as well as contributions to the events of other local actors are the main source to raise awareness and attract local SMEs to these services. But none of the planned events in 2020/2021 could take place due to the Corona restrictions. Thus, the EEN -STIFT team couldn´t reach the target group for the EIMC services and this resulted in a major lack of promotion and awareness raising opportunities and thus, in the lack of interest in EIMC services. Online webinars were alternatively organised, but they couldn’t compensate the loss.
Another major impact on the EIMC service results was caused by by a staff exchange in June 2020 with one key innovation expert leaving the organisation and another one taking maternity leave for more than a year.
Neverthelees, for all local SMEs who benefited from EIMC services, the client-centric approach and the hub & spoke model has been applied. In this regard, the EEN-STIFT team has further developed and extended its already existing cooperation strategy with the local business and innovation support system to fully implement the HUB & SPOKE model based on the “NO WRONG DOOR” principle on the one hand and designing tailored services around a client/company on the other hand.
During the project period one of the EIMC beneficiaries acted as an ambassador and will do so in the future.
Regarding EIMC services, 12 were planned to be provided to local clients, but only 5 could be achieved. Regarding the entire EIMC activities within the project period 2020/2021 we in fact did work together with 16 companies in total, all interested in EIMC services, but unfortunately not all of them were able to go through the whole process within the project period.
Main reason for this underachievement is to be found in the Corona pandemic. For EIMC services local information and capacity building events as well as contributions to the events of other local actors are the main source to raise awareness and attract local SMEs to these services. But none of the planned events in 2020/2021 could take place due to the Corona restrictions. Thus, the EEN -STIFT team couldn´t reach the target group for the EIMC services and this resulted in a major lack of promotion and awareness raising opportunities and thus, in the lack of interest in EIMC services. Online webinars were alternatively organised, but they couldn’t compensate the loss.
Another major impact on the EIMC service results was caused by by a staff exchange in June 2020 with one key innovation expert leaving the organisation and another one taking maternity leave for more than a year.
Neverthelees, for all local SMEs who benefited from EIMC services, the client-centric approach and the hub & spoke model has been applied. In this regard, the EEN-STIFT team has further developed and extended its already existing cooperation strategy with the local business and innovation support system to fully implement the HUB & SPOKE model based on the “NO WRONG DOOR” principle on the one hand and designing tailored services around a client/company on the other hand.
During the project period one of the EIMC beneficiaries acted as an ambassador and will do so in the future.
Expected results of the project could not be achieved due to circumstances beyond our control. Thus, the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project cannot be determined so far.