Uni transfer, Mapeer project partner participated on the November 24th 2011 in a joint evaluation workshop together with the GPrix and RAPPORT project representatives in Magdeburg, Germany. The GPrix partner Fraunhofer IFF hosted and moderated the workshop. Also representatives of the technology transfer office, EU-service agency and Ministry of Economics of the state of Saxony Anhalt participated at the workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to present the findings of the EU-funded GPrix, Mapeer and RAPPORT projects and to discuss the policies and practices supporting innovation in the SMEs. First, Mapeer SME presented best practice elements as identified within three programme clusters as well as the ranking of the key success factors for designing SME-friendly programme upon the basis of the review of the 28 national reports for the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Secondly, RAPPORT showed its “funnel” methodology and intermediate findings focused on public-private innovation Partnership schemes. Thirdly, GRrix presented its methodology and intermediate findings, as regards innovation support measures in a set of European regions characterized by a large number of SMEs from traditional sectors.
Although the presented objectives, methodological approaches and target groups of the three projects are obviously different, the three projects have one finding in common: there is no “one-size-fits-it-all way” for designing an optimal programme for the SMEs. The framework conditions for research and innovation as well as the SME requirements are just too diverse across countries. In general, certain best practice elements stand out: simplified and speedy administrative, reporting and evaluation procedures are absolutely crucial with a view to the SMEs’ requirements in the innovation process.