Programme Objectives

The 2004-2006 Scottish Innovative Actions Programme had a total budget of £4 million, with 50% of this funding provided by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Funds have been invested in leading edge pilot projects to test new approaches to stimulate innovation and improve Scotland’s innovation performance.

The Programme supports pilot projects that address current weaknesses in the provision of innovation support in Scotland under four key themes known as Action Lines:

• The Scottish innovation system - improving innovation services and the overall support environment for innovation in Scotland
• SME demand for innovation - encouraging and assisting more small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Scotland to innovate
• Knowledge transfer and management - knowledge transfer from the research base to SMEs and helping SMEs exploit knowledge to improve growth and competitiveness
• Marketing and product launch - helping SMEs create and access new markets from their innovation

The Scottish Programme is one of 156 regional programmes approved across Europe and a key feature will be to exchange learning and good practice across this extensive innovation network.

During 2006-2007 pilot projects will be completed, evaluated and the learning captured and disseminated to influence and improve future innovation policy and practice in Scotland.

A Steering Group oversees the implementation of the Programme and takes decisions on the projects approved for funding. Members are drawn from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, the CBI and the private sector. Members of the Steering Group can be viewed here.

SEP Ltd manages the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme on behalf of the Scottish Executive.