Objective

InnoSME intends to identify potentially innovative SMEs from the different ICT subsectors located in the new Member States and Acceding countries (NMS & AC), assess their capabilities, and improve their conditions in order to make them fitter for participation in RTD and Innovation projects of the FP7 and the CIP

Target

• National/Regional/Local support networks composed by existing organizations and institutions related to the SMEs in the ICT sector, acting as interfaces with the SMEs
• Innovative SMEs of the ICT sector that will be the end-users and beneficiaries of the project activities

Phases

1. Put in place regional networks of organizations involved with SMEs, especially intermediate bodies like business associations and chambers of commerce, but also local development agencies, public authorities, and education and training institutions. Establish working links with existing EU-supported projects and networks that facilitate the participation of SMEs in RTD activities

2. Create a Database of SMEs from the ICT sector in the NMS & AC, identifying those potentially candidates to participation in RTD programmes

3. Implement an information and communication environment, with the right proportions of real events and personal contacts (two series of annual workshops will be held in the NMS & AC, IST-related EU events will be attended), and web-based tools (collaborative workspace, innovation management and RTD participation capability auto diagnostics, on-line tutorials) to assess, train and advice SMEs in their path to participate in Community ICT research