Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SMEs through the Enterprise Europe Network in Macedonia (INNO EEN-M)

Project Information

INNO EEN-M

Grant agreement ID: 879703

DOI

10.3030/879703

Project closed

EC signature date 20 November 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 19 260,00

EU contribution

€ 19 260,00

Coordinated by

Ss. CYRIL AND METHODIUS UNIVERSITY IN SKOPJE
North Macedonia

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: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In 2020-2021 period, the INNO EEN-M project delivered 12 (twelve) 7-days service packages to local SMEs that enabled increasing their innovation management capacities. The services had positive impact and contribution to the overall growth of the companies strengthening their innovation and competitiveness. The Macedonian 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.
In 2020-2021, no KAM services have been performed as none local SME was granted EIC pilot under H2020.
The COVID19 crises affected the business operations in the country in all sectors. It had impact on the overall interest and possibility of the SMEs to boost their businesses and to take actions which changed their needs and priorities. In order to overcome the crises, the Macedonian EEN team took further actions to support the companies during the crises. The team performed regular on-line meetings with potential applicants in order to further up-to-date and to increase the interest of potential applicants on the pilot calls. Under these circumstances, the INNO EEN-M projects team managed to promote the innovation support activities to the local SMEs using the on-line tools for communication.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The INNO EEN-M project delivered the Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity for innovating SMEs activity and 12 SMEs were supported. The project couldn’t deliver the Key Account Management service for the beneficiaries of the EIC pilot under H2020 as none SME from Macedonia was granted. The team supported the companies to apply for the EIC pilot under H2020. Still, the team provided support for facilitating the process of creation and commercialization of new innovations. The team made available the necessary tools and knowledge for implementation of the specific activities in the context of innovation support. Additionally, the SMEs training needs related to innovation management was measured.
The INNO EEN-M team participated only on the online trainings organized by the IMP³rove academy and EISMEA. No travels were envisaged in 2020-2021 because of the pandemic crises and all cancellations. With regards to the capacity building, one of the team members attended the online training course Action Plan Development (29-30 April 2020), the online virtual training Open Innovation (4-5 June 2020) as part of EIMC activities, and the online web session Definition of sustainability-driven Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – 26 February 2021. Two members attended the Intro to the new IMP³rove website training in order to prepare the staff for the new web page delivered by the IMP³rove academy.
Additionally, the project contributed to the objectives by improving the necessary tools and knowledge of the local EEN for implementation of the specific innovation support services. Furthermore, these services serve as additional value for delivering the specific expert innovation services which relate to signposting of EIMC clients to other COSME services. To most of the companies, the COSME services (EEN business, technology and R&D services) have been additional value to the EIMC clients. The SMEs were introduced to the additional COSME services, which resulted in creation of profiles and expression of interests.
Two of the companies already assessed in 2018, achieved ASOs in 2020, and two companies assessed in 2020, achieved ASO in 2021. To most of the companies, the COSME services (EEN business, technology and R&D services) have been additional value to the EIMC clients.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The performed activities contributed to addressing the challenges that innovative SMEs in the country face. This had several effects on organizational and industry level. It helped to the SMEs to clearly identify their position regarding their innovation management capabilities. Through the inclusion of more SMEs it is ensured that on medium and long run will require every SME that wants to internationally and be innovative to evaluate it capabilities and make justified decisions on how to proceed. This will result in increase of the possibility for successful innovation and internationalization of the SMEs. The European-added value and provisioning of high quality innovation services on enhancing the innovation management capacities of the SMEs create synergy for maximizing the impact of these services.
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, their shortcomings 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),
- Increasing the expenditures on innovation (including personnel costs, equipment, outsourcing).
Unfortunately, no Key Account Management for the beneficiaries of the SME instrument service was delivered because none SME from Macedonia was granted EIC pilot under H2020. Still, the team supports the Macedonian SMEs to apply.

Open Innovation training