EU Networking

The Europe-wide Innovative Actions Programme forms an important part of the EU’s key strategy of stimulating innovation in small and medium sized businesses across Europe.  Through the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme, Scotland now has access to a network of expertise and knowledge operating across 156 regions throughout Europe, each with the aim of stimulating and improving the delivery of innovation and entrepreneurship support systems.

The Scottish Innovative Actions Programme offers the facility to connect with innovative ideas and new innovation support structures that have been piloted successfully elsewhere in Europe.

The EU networking budget for the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme can be used to fund activities aimed at learning and sharing experience and good practice on innovation policy and projects with other regions across Europe.

The EU networking activities are open to all Scottish Innovative Actions Programme Partners including, Steering and Development Group members, project sponsors of projects approved through the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme and their delegated representatives. Where appropriate, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) can also be involved.

EU Networking events may be identified by Scottish Innovative Actions Programme Manager or identified by Programme Partners.

The following key activities can be supported through the EU networking budget:

1. Promoting and discussing the learning from pilot projects funded through the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme with other regions in Europe
   
   
2. Attendance at events in Europe identified and promoted by the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme Management Team
   
   
3. Attendance at events in Europe identified by Programme Partners
   
   
4. Study visits to and from other EU regions.

Up to a maximum of 100% funding support can be provided through the EU networking budget to support any of the above activities and guidance is available.

Events identified by the SIA Programme Manager will be arranged by the PMT and costs of participation, reasonable transport and accommodation will be paid from the EU Networking Budget.

Events identified by Programme Partners that are of specific interest to their project or the SIA Programme more generally can be arranged by the Programme Partner.  Partners should complete a Funding Request Form and submit this to the SIA Programme Manager for approval.  Costs of participation, reasonable transport and accommodation costs can be paid from the EU Networking Budget.

EU Networking Reports

Completed reports from conferences and events supported by the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme are shown below.

• Patterns of Cluster Evolution (No 2) - January 2007
• Patterns of Cluster Evolution - January 2007
• World Creativity Forum - November 2006
• Conference on Family Businesses in Poland - October 2006
• Competitiveness Institute Annual Conference - October 2006

For further information please contact Ken.Gordon@wsep.co.uk, tel 0141 572 4422.