CEBBIS – Central Europe Branch Based Innovation Support – facilitated communication among researchers and businesses in order to promote innovation in SMEs.
- 19 November 2014
In all the partnering countries we now have the option to use the experience gained in other partnering countries. We regularly exchange information and experience in the area of innovation. The international network also brings new opportunities for cooperation.
The business-support project brought together development agencies, research centres and technology parks located in seven central European countries to break down barriers to communication between researchers and business people and find solutions for improving technology transfer to SMEs.
The network, which consisted of 11 partners, was tasked with tackling obstacles to this transfer such as insufficient co-operation among scientific institutions in central Europe, inappropriate funding systems for these institutions and inadequate management. It organised a series of workshops and conferences that provided an opportunity for experts and stakeholders from the region to exchange knowhow.
Sharing technology transfer tools
For example, the AREA Science Park in Italy offers its Strategic Technology Roadmapping service, which helps public and private organisations take advantage of new technologies. The service consists of 16 different instruments, including tools that assist with product design management, demand evaluation, 3D-visualisation and business intelligence.
The CEBBIS partners, moreover, established a network of regional competence centres, creating five centres in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland. These centres are “staffed with experts offering to SMEs tailored ICT-based pro-innovative services and up-to-date technology transfer methodologies,” says Alessandro Deltreppo, CEBBIS Technical Coordinator.
Towards greater co-operation
The project carried out studies that resulted in the production of four reports/manuals and the signing of a “Cooperation Agreement with Policy Memorandum on demand-led solutions to improve technology transfer to small and medium enterprises in Central Europe”.
Studies also underlined the need for a trans-national model for the transfer and application of knowledge in new products, business processes and services. The solutions proposed by CEBBIS have been tailored to the characteristics of the regions taking part in the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and are helping improve the competitiveness of SMEs in the global market.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “CEBBIS - Central Europe Branch Based Innovation Support” EUR 2 046 612, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 1 654 712 from the Operational Programme “CENTRAL EUROPE” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.