2. 19 th February 20041 Should Polish SMEs participate in 6th FP projects? Tomasz Cioska

3. 19th Februry 2004 2 Plazmatronika’s profile R&D company (since 1987) specialising in: –design –manufacture –service of microwave applications in: –industry –construction –laboratory 10 employees, 0,5 M € turnover (2003), profitable (2003 – first time in 6 years)

4. 19th Februry 2004 3 Participation in EC Projects 1 EC 5 FP Integrated Project close to complete (SAFE) 1 EC 6 FP Integrated Project for SMEs in contract negotiation phase (SAFEHOSE) 1 EC 6 FP Collective Research project in preparatory phase for April 2004 (?) 1 EC 6 FP CRAFT project in preparatory phase for November 2004 (?)

5. 19th Februry 2004 4 Participation in 5 FP project Integrated Project (GROWTH) acronym: SAFE Objective: –development of new safe techniques for the abatement and elimination works of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) Plazmatronika’s task: –development of the pre-industrial scale microwave cavity Partners: –the consortium of 8 R&D companies and institutes from France (2 – including the coordinator), Belgium (1), UK (1), Germany (2) + 1 ACM utilisation company from France

6. 19th Februry 2004 5 SAFE project funding Estimated eligible costs: 2,854,815 € Maximum EC contribution: 1,747,663 € Plazmatronika’s share: 245,841 €, –50% EC’s participation: 122,920 € –additional funding from KBN (80% of EC funding) Timing: 36 months (end: 30th June 2004) Maximum negative cash flow: 250,000 PLN

7. 19th Februry 2004 6 New 6 FP project IP for SMEs SAFEHOSE – new technologies for automotive hydraulics Budget: 5 M €, EC participation: 50%, Plazmatronika’s share: 250 K €, Additonal KBN funding: 60% of EC participation Duration: 4,5 years; timing: launching planned for April 2004 Plazmatronika’s role: design and manufacture of microwave devices

8. 19th Februry 2004 7 Opportunities Gaining intercultural experience through cooperation with European partners and institutions Practical preparation for every day work in EU business and institutional environment Organisational experience –EU-imposed formal project management rules –strict accounting and controlling procedures Additional funding for technology development Opening European markets for SME’s products through cooperation with EU partners

9. 19th Februry 2004 8 Threats Weak position of Polish partners in European projects Complexity of EU procedures Communication with European partners (cultural differences) Lack of clear definition of individual goals Necessity to prefinance the project (reimbursement of costs) –1 year of negative cash flow, own funds necessary Lack of market driven projects and clear definition of project objectives and positions of other partners Poor project management Very unstable tax / legal environment in Poland

10. 19th Februry 2004 9 Checklist for participants Is the project market driven? Is the dissemination of project results planned? What about IPR? Are you interests sufficiently secured in the consortium agreement? Are the roles and goals of other partners clearly defined? Is the project leadership clearly defined? Do you have your own funds secured?

11. 19th Februry 2004 10 Contact Plazmatronika S.A. Grabiszyńska 163 (FADROMA) 50-950 Wrocław, Poland tel/fax: (71) 332 6666 e-mail: t.cioska@plazmatronika.plt.cioska@plazmatronika.pl www.plazmatronika.pl