Networking and Business Networking and Business Support in the field of Support in the field of InnovationInnovation

Support to Research andInnovation in Ukraine EUROPEAID/116548/C/SV, Lot9

Daniela TchonkovaKey Expert

daniela.tchonkova@online.bg

Sept 03-04 2008Kharkov, Ukraine

Why Innovation?Why Innovation?

Innovation - new product, process or service that optimizes the economic and organizational performance of the business and ultimately leads to increase of its profit.

Innovation - requires people who have future-oriented thinking

Innovation is the key driver to increased competitiveness in an enlarged context beyond the national one – regional, or European, or global.

EU key instruments towards the Lisbon Goal:EU key instruments towards the Lisbon Goal:

the Research Framework Programmes (FP5, FP6, FP7)

the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)

The Structural Funds

Innovation in the EUInnovation in the EU

An An overview overview of the of the Innovating Innovating Regions in Regions in Europe Europe (IRE) (IRE) NetworkNetwork

@ Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) Secretariat

504/18/23

Innovating Regions in Europe Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) Network(IRE) Network

A platform for European regions to exchange experience and access good practice in regional innovation policies and strategies

Set up in mid 90’s by the European Commission Around 235 member regions Open to any European region that is committed to the development

of its innovation capacity Key role of local/regional authorities to promote innovation Mission statement:

"Strengthening the global competitiveness of European regions "Strengthening the global competitiveness of European regions by promoting innovation policies, and providing a unique by promoting innovation policies, and providing a unique platform for regions to cooperate and learn from each other."platform for regions to cooperate and learn from each other."

An overview of the An overview of the Innovation Relay Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) Centre (IRC) NetworkNetwork

European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation

On the grounds of information by the IRC Secretariat

““As a trans-national networkAs a trans-national networkthe IRC network drives innovationthe IRC network drives innovationand competitiveness by connectingand competitiveness by connectingknowledge, technologies and knowledge, technologies and people.”people.”

The IRC Network : a European The IRC Network : a European Network Network

with international contactswith international contacts71 IRC consortia with 243 partner organizations and 1.350 IRC staff

33 countries: EU, Bulgaria, Chile, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey

In the Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) landscape many IRCs are hosted by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)

14 IRC network’s Thematic Groups

Collaboration with Cluster Initiatives (CIs)

A Network built on a proven A Network built on a proven methodologymethodology

THREAT/OPPORTUNITY MARKETING CONTACTSTEP 1

COMPANY VISIT

TECHNOLOGY AUDIT

IDENTIFYING TECHNOLOGY PROFILESSTEP 2

TECHNOLOGY NEED TECHNOLOGY OFFER

FINDING EUROPEAN PARTNERSSTEP 3

VI A T H E

N E T W O R K

VI A

B R O K E R A G E

E V E N T S

VI A S M E

MI S SI O N S

OFFERING SUPPORTSTEP 4

A D VI S E / SI G N P O S TI N G I N N O V A TI O N FI N A N CI N G

A D VI S E / SI G N P O S TI N G I P R

ASSISTANCE WITH CONTRACTNEGOTIATION

STEP 5

BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

IRC definition of TTTIRC definition of TTT

Transfer of know-how, technology, or expertise from one party to another party

Transfer of technology from one industrial sector to another

Transfer of RTD results to the market

Not just a commercial activity –

there must be an element of

INNOVATION

IRIRC network award to most C network award to most successful exploitation of successful exploitation of

research resultsresearch results

Award handed by Commissioner Günther Verheugen during 9th Annual meeting in Brussels, June 2005

Enterprise Europe Enterprise Europe NetworkNetwork

Europe’s commitment to small businessesEurope’s commitment to small businesses

The largest business support network for SMEs in the worldA European Network with international contacts

(the presentation is prepared pertly based on training materials of IRC Secretariat)

Enterprise Europe Enterprise Europe Network Network

A successor of 370 Euro Info Centers and 250 organizations involved in the operation of 71 Innovation Relay Centres across Europe. The new network comprises over 500 organizations and around 4000 experienced professionals from 40 countries.

Enterprise Europe Network is Europe’s largest consultancy and information support network. The objective of the new European network is to enhance the innovative potential of the small and medium-sized enterprises and increase their awareness on the business support policies of the European Commission.

Outline of relevant donorsOutline of relevant donors The European Neighbourhood Policy Programmes - the TACIS by 2006 that has

now evolved into the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – a common instrument to the TACIS and the MEDA countries

Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) 2007-2013 and its International Cooperation (INCO) Programme open to third countries, Ukraine inclusive.

Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) 2007-2013, which is, like FP7, open also to candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of these countries in Community programmes established in the respective Framework Agreement and Association Council Decisions.

South-East Europe Trans-National Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 -cooperation among the countries of Central Europe – EU members and EU bordering neighbour countries, to improve innovation, accessibility and the environment and to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of their cities and regions - Albania, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy (Lombardia, Prov. Autonoma Bolzano/Bozen, Prov. Autonoma Trento, Veneto, Friuli- Venezia-Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia Basilicata), the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine (Chernivetska Oblast, Ivano-Frankiviska Oblast, Zakarpatska Oblast, Odessa Oblast).

Useful linksUseful links

Enterprise Europe Network:Enterprise Europe Network:http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm The former IRC Network:The former IRC Network:http://www.innovationrelay.net/ The IRE Network:The IRE Network:http://www.innovating-regions.org/ The EuroInfoCentres’ Network:The EuroInfoCentres’ Network:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/networks/eic/eic.html EU’s information portal on FP7:EU’s information portal on FP7:http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html The CIP Programme:The CIP Programme:http://www.ciprogram.com/ SOUTH-EAST EUROPE – TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION SOUTH-EAST EUROPE – TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION

PROGRAMME:PROGRAMME:http://www.southeast-europe.net/hu/

***************************************Daniela Tchonkova (Ms.)Programme Coordinator, ARC Fund

EUREKA NIP5, Alexander Zhendov Str., Sofia 1113BULGARIAphones: (+359 2) 973 3000

mobile: (+359 88) 883 02 89fax: (+359 2) 973 3588http://www.innovation.bg

http://www.arcfund.net**********************************************************Don't wait for the right opportunity: create it!(George Bernard Shaw)**********************************************************