In our region, there is no SME beneficiary that has a project related to Horizon SME-Instrument so we could not provide KAM services to any SME, that was the most important problem regarding the project. In some cases getting an appoinment from the selected SME was the problem. Another big issue were the meetings we needed to do for the interview in order to ask questions, get answers and an understanding of the SME’s innovation management capacity. Because of COVID-19 we weren’t able to do such meetings and SMEs didn’t wanted to share a half day over zoom with us. In this aspect we have developed an online survey were all the questions we are in need of in the first step can be answered through this form. Afterwards we did online meetings/telephone conversations with SMEs where it was needed and completed our reports and action plans.
Through this project, on all of these basis, the production, cooperation with innovation process related partners, innovation, innovation management and international cooperation capacities of SME’s can be enhanced. The main objective for the Network with its services under H2020 is to ensure that the innovation management capacity of the SME clients is increased. Innovation management capacity is recognized as an important element to creating economic impact (competitiveness, growth and jobs) from innovation activities in SMEs.
There are two major objectives for this project. The first main objective for the Network with its services under H2020 is to ensure that key SME beneficiaries of H2020 are helped efficiently so that their full innovation potential can be exploited. SME beneficiaries of the funding schemes SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation and Future and Emerging Technologies Open under H2020 should receive dedicated Key Account Management (KAM) services by the Network which should be complemented by coaching services. The objective of these services is to identify weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the SME beneficiaries hindering their growth opportunities and hence their full commercial potential. The Network's Key Account Managers shall identify the coaching needs of the SMEs and should identify suitable coaches who will be tasked with the addressing of the identified weaknesses.
The second main objective for the Network with its services under H2020 is to ensure that the innovation management capacity of the SME clients is increased. Lack of innovation management capacity is recognized as an important barrier to creating economic impact (competitiveness, growth and jobs) from innovation activities in SMEs. Horizon 2020’s SME-instrument foresees offering mentoring and coaching services to beneficiaries to address this need. On the other hand; the Enterprise Europe Network, as a European-wide network of public, public-private and private providers of support services to SMEs that was established for the period 2008-14 under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program (CIP) and that has been re-established for the period 2015-21 under the Competitiveness and SME program (COSME), facilitates access to European and international markets for European SMEs and by providing growth-oriented,integrated business and innovation support services that help strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of European enterprises.
