1. INSME PILOT PROJECTS INSME INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR SMEs
The first INSME Promoting Committee Meeting
Milan 7-8 July 2003

2. WHAT IS AN “INSME PILOT PROJECT”?
It is an initiative aimed at the ideation, experimentation and assessment of innovative practices, of a sectoral and/or factoral nature, in Countries which participate in the INSME Process. 2

3. THE “INSME PILOT PROJECTS”?
WHICH ARE THE AIMS OF
THE “INSME PILOT PROJECTS”?
To stimulate SME’s innovation processes through the creation, on a reduced scale, of networks of intermediaries, services and initiatives which support innovation and technology transfer (TT)
To identify, refine and select methodologies and services which can be “scaled-up” and/or reapplied
To lead to further, complementary developments in other geographical areas or industrial sectors 3

4. ADVANTAGES OF AN INSME PILOT PROJECT
Limited investments for its implementation
Maximisation of the yield, in terms of acquired experience and efficacy
High speed and flexibility
Reduced risks and exertion 4

5. PARTNERS Intermediaries Networks other bodies
Involved bodies:
Policy Makers
Intermediaries
Networks
other bodies
operating in the field of innovation and TT to SMEs
Generally involving at least
two INSME Countries 5

6. + FUNDING A special section of the INSME AWARD
Directly funded by Members
Cash
In kind
Co-financed by national, regional or international institutions
Directly
Through participation in calls for proposal +
A special section of the INSME AWARD 6

7. At least 4 of the above CHARACTERISTICS OF INSME PILOT PROJECTS
FEATURES
GEOGRAPHICAL SPAN
Replicable
Re-applicable
Scale-up
Sub-national
National
Regional
STRUCTURE
NATURE
Modular
Flexible
Sectoral
Factoral
LENGTH
Short-medium project life cycle (max. 2 years)
At least 4 of the above 7

8. EXAMPLES OF INSME PILOT PROJECTS
New networks
New services
New policy instruments
Specific horizontal projects
creation of back-offices
delocalisation and/or internationalisation of intermediaries
exchanges, twinning and partnerships
cooperation and connections among research bodies, intermediaries, industry and the finance sector …
Etc..... 8

9. HOW TO PROPOSE A PROJECT REALISATION OF THE PROJECT
SECRETARIAT CHECK
SEND IT!
NOT
INSME Pilot Project
INSME
BOARD
DON’T WORRY!
TRY AGAIN!!!
INSME Pilot Project
PROJECT IDEA
CREATE PARTNERSHIP
INFORMATION
OBSERVER
FACILITATOR
PARTNER
PROJECT MANAGER
INSME AWARD
REALISATION OF THE PROJECT 9

10. FIRST INSME PILOT PROJECTS
RIDITT – the Italian Network for the Diffusion of Innovation and Technology Transfer
FASHION NET
Pilot Project “TUNISIA”
ASK INSME
...
THINK TANK IDEAS
YOUR IDEAS & PROPOSALS! 10

11. RIDITT Italian Network for Innovation and Technology Transfer to SMEs
promoted by the Italian Ministry of Productive Activities and managed by IPI
Started in early 2003
OBJECTIVES
To promote the exchange of information, experience, methodologies, and good practices at national level;
To encourage the integration, specialisation and marketing of services for SMEs’ innovation, also through the use of ICT
To stimulate the creation of partnerships and projects on a sectoral and geographical basis
To facilitate access to financial resources by creating, extending and developing networks for innovation
To support the internationalisation of intermediaries also by using the INSME channel 11

12. RIDITT works as the Italian Focal Point of INSME
SERVICES
Portal: (under construction)
Information services
Technical Assistance and Training
Provision of Financial Grants (2004)
RIDITT works as the Italian Focal Point of INSME 12

13. RIDITT FEATURES GEOGRAPHICAL SPAN Replicable Re-applicable Scale-up
Sub- national
National
Regional
STRUCTURE
NATURE
Modular
Flexible
Sectoral
Factoral
LENGTH
Short- medium project life cycle (max. 2 years) 13

14. Further expansion of the partnership is welcome
“FASHION NET”
Proposal presented in April 2003 within the 6th EU RTD Framework Programme (FP6), – Structuring the European Research Area (ERA)
Partners: 16 Intermediaries from 8 Countries
Grant requested : ~ 900, EURO
Length: 24 months
France (ANVAR, IFTH, IC&D)
Greece (EOMMEX, CLOTEFI)
Italy (IPI, APRE, CITER, TXX)
Spain (ASINTEC, AITEX, ADEI)
Czech Republic (INOTEX)
Lithuania (LATIA)
Romania (INCDTP)
Turkey (KOSGEB)
Further expansion of the partnership is welcome 14

15. “FASHION NET” OBJECTIVES
To enhance the competitiveness of SMEs by both coordinating and improving access to strategic information and Economic & Technological Intelligence (ETI) tools and to qualify research and technical services
To consolidate ties and integrate networks and partnerships between intermediaries, accordingly with INSME’s goals, related to the fashion industry
To promote transnational SME cooperation across the enlarged Europe
To facilitate SME access to FP6
To promote a knowledge-sharing process by strengthening networks for exchanging expertise, methodologies and best practices 15

16. “FASHION NET”
ACTIVITIES
Networking activities among intermediaries aiming to foster innovation and TT in the fashion system and FP6 participation among SMEs
Information & Knowledge Management
2 Conferences & Network Consolidation and extension
Studies & Best Practices in ETI
Specific Workshops and Training
Transregional Twinning & Expert Personnel Exchange 16

17. “FASHION NET” FEATURES GEOGRAPHICAL SPAN Replicable Re-applicable
Scale-up
Sub-national
National
Regional
STRUCTURE
NATURE
Modular
Flexible
Sectoral
Factoral
LENGTH
Short-medium project life cycle (max. 2 years) 17

18. Pilot Project “TUNISIA”
Main Promoters: Ministry of Industry, API (Tunisia) and IPI (Italy)
Started in June 2003
Expected duration: 2 YEARS
OBJECTIVES
To promote the internationalisation of sectoral technical centres (TC) for innovation and TT for SMEs
To establish a Tunisian pilot network among TC so as to strengthen their critical mass for international activities
To strengthen partnership among Tunisian and Italian TC 18

19. Pilot Project “TUNISIA”
DRAFT ACTION PLAN
Draw up a feasibility study
SWOT Analysis + Demand & Supply Analysis
Establishment of a consortium among selected TC
Design and provision of needed interventions
marketing & communication strategy
training
Experiencing & Testing
Evaluation for potential replicability and extension to Maghreb Countries 19

20. Pilot Project “TUNISIA”
FEATURES
GEOGRAPHICAL SPAN
Replicable
Re-applicable
Scale-up
Sub-national
National
Regional
STRUCTURE
NATURE
Modular
Flexible
Sectoral
Factoral
LENGTH
Short-medium project life cycle (max. 2 years) 20

21. “ASK INSME”
OBJECTIVES
professional and timely answers to explicit questions given by a network of experts, grouped according to specific industrial sectors or particular subjects of interest
on-line service (
network of experts
one-to-many approach
knowledge transfer tool 21

22. HOW DOES “ASK INSME” WORK?
Knowledge Base
Ask INSME
Group of
experts
Answer 22

23. ASK INSME as INSME PILOT PROJECT
Users
Network of
Experts
System
Test
Platform
Management
Knowledge Base
Partner
INSME Secretariat 23

24. TIME SCHEDULE pilot service Technical “Ask INSME! Specifics
2nd OECD Ministerial Conference on SMEs
Launch of the
INSME Portal Q2 Q4 Q3 Q1
2003
2004
Technical
Specifics
pilot service
“Ask INSME!
– Fashion ”
Experts involvement and contractual aspects
Service promotion (in particular in the Promoting Committee Countries)
Extension of
“Ask INSME! – Fashion”
on an international scale
“Ask INSME!”
to other thematic channels 24

25. ASK INSME as INSME PILOT PROJECT
FEATURES
GEOGRAPHICAL SPAN
Replicable
Re-applicable
Scale-up
Sub-national
National
Regional
STRUCTURE
NATURE
Modular
Flexible
Sectoral
Factoral
LENGTH
Short-medium project life cycle (max. 2 years) 25

26. www.insme.info secretariat@insme.it or grandi@ipi.it26