Workpackage 2: Home Regions Actions
Task 2.1: Identify and motivate SMEs
Initiate the identification process in close cooperation with WP3 in order to provide input to the elaboration of the model strategy;
Establish a regional dialogue with relevant stakeholders for contact to the SMEs groupings;
Identify and map appropriate SMEs;
Carry out individual visits to, and audits of, SMEs (min. 20 per region);
Organise regional events for motivation and building commitment to EU-project participation.
Task 2.2: Mobilise SMEs
Describe the SMEs technical organisational skills, and eventually give input to plans for upgrading these;
Ensure that EU research and development are part of the SMEs business strategies;
Provide input for EU research in the SMEs budget processes;
Identify ICT research topics of importance for the SMEs.
Workpackage 4: Pilot Actions
The Pilot Actions will test the tools and models developed by WP3.
As results is expected:
at least one model for organisation of regional RTD networks with at least two innovative components, including management requirements, strategy and action plans,
a strategy for the identification of relevant SME groupings to participate in European R&D projects,
at least one model for inter-regional networks and RTD cooperation,
at least two examples of mentoring strategies for EU project participation and
at least two examples of how RTD activities and EU project participation has been incorporated in SME’s business strategy.
COTEC Portugal as the workpackage leader will be the coordinator and responsible for the overall supervision of the pilot actions during all phases.
Workpackage 5: FP6 and FP7 Follow-Up
Task 5.2: Follow-up FP7 and national and non-FP programmes
Gather and tailor made available information of FP7;
Prepare information for the EoI call;
Prepare information about Call1 and Call2;
Find initiatives where the SMEs can participate;
Prepare information for future calls.
This information will be disseminated to regional networks and actors to motivate them to continue this work beyond the Easier project.
Workpackage 6: Preparing Projects, Proposals and Initiatives with SMEs
Assist in the discussions with ongoing projects or established consortia on the roles and contributions of the SMEs;
Explain SMEs the scope & modalities of the instrument under consideration;
Advise in administrative procedures and contractual issues;
Provide technical assistance to proposal preparation;
Advise SMEs in the creation of SME groupings;
Advise SMEs on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues;
Advice IP, STREP and NoE consortia on the optimal involvement for SMEs in specific topics.
The experience from this task will be used to produce a FAQ and other relevant documents that will be made available through the web site of the project.
Workpackage 7: General Dissemination of Project Results
Task 7.3 Dissemination Events
During the life cycle of the project the partnership will participate at and/or arrange at least 50 regional events such as members meetings, conferences and workshops, in order to present its project objectives and results.
Task 7.5 Regional and national dissemination
The task will include establishing and maintaining local points of contacts (POCs). The point of contacts are local members of the EASIER project who have an interest in project outcomes. POCs will act on a local and regional scale for each partner.
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