For years the EU has been looking at ways to increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and researchers from the newer EU Member States in its funding programmes. Now the InnoSME project is combining the two, identifying potentially innovative SMEs from the 12 countries that have joined the EU since 2004 and increasing their chances of winning funding contracts, particularly in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT).

The first objective for the relatively new project is to set up national and regional networks of organisations that interface with SMEs, such as business associations, chambers of commerce, local development agencies, public authorities or education and training institutions. The project partners invite stakeholder organisations that can help to identify relevant SMEs, and that are located in the new EU Member States, to get in touch.

InnoSME will offer self-diagnostic tools, training material and a personalised assessment to SMEs. Events will be used to disseminate information and advice about SMEs' participation in the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). A collaborative workspace will also be created, where SMEs can share information and best practice with one another.

For their part, stakeholder organisations will have an opportunity to team up with experts on EU programmes and projects, and will have close contact with SMEs with a high research and innovation potential.

InnoSME

Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)