Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational

institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Project implemented under Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)

Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme CCI Number: 2007CB16IPO006

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Lead Partner: Partners:

GIS Transfer Center Foundation, Bulgaria Agency for Economic Development Kostinbrod, Bulgaria University of Nis, Faculty of Economics, Serbia University of Nish, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Serbia

Project duration: 28/07/2011-27/07/2012 Budget: EUR 138 323.79

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Project Objectives The overall project objective is: To achieve sustainable development of the cross-border region through effective utilization of the regional resources and increase of the opportunities for joint problem solving using the technology and know-how transfer approach

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

The specific objectives that the action aims to contribute to are: 1. Introduction of the energy efficiency, renewable energy sources (RES) and ICT technology principles to the SMEs from the Sofia district and Nishava cross-border region; 2. Awareness rising on applicability of the new technologies and innovations in achieving competitiveness and substantial benefits for the business organizations in the cross-border region; 3. To stimulate the cross-border business and technology cooperation.

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Project Activities:
1.

2.
3.

4.

Preparatory activities for project implementation Awareness raising up activities Innovation demand - Technology needs assessment of SMEs in the priority areas Innovation supply key technologies survey and technology roadmapping

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Project Activities:
5.

6.

7.

Organization of a technology and business brokerage events Elaborating mechanisms for technology transfer and business collaboration services Promotional and publicity activities

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Project Results :
1 Project clients data base elaborated 50 SMEs visited and assessed 10 SMEs technology assessments 15 technology offers` (TO) made 15 technology requests (TR) made 1 Catalogue of TOs and TRs in Bulgarian, Serbian and English 1 Desk research of technology research organization (TRO) made 2 Business Brokerage event maintained 1 Dynamic web platform with incorporated technology and business profiles database and information exchange elaborated in English, Bulgarian and Serbian

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Target Groups: Small and medium sized enterprises Research and Technology organizations Non governmental organizations Local development organizations Business network organizations Business incubators and similar business formations

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Cross-border impact of the project:

Energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT are seen as priority areas in which an increased focus on promoting innovation could bring substantial benefits to both the European and global economies in achieving competitiveness and environmental sustainability. These technologies are applicable in all the sectors of economic life and are still underexploited by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. The project aims to promote and introduce these new horizontal technologies, management techniques etc. to the SMEs in the targeted border areas of Serbia and Bulgaria and thus to achieve sustainable economic development. By studying the current needs for new technologies of SMEs in the priority areas and finding solutions for those needs in the research organisations and research driven SMEs the action will assure long term business growth and increase the economic synergy of the cross-border region. The economy of the area of University of Nish and Sofia region is interested for the development of bilateral relationship in all sectors of economy and especially in the part of connecting of knowledge and technology, so by implementing the project jointly the beneficiaries will improve the capacity of regional potential usage

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Multiplier effect:

The main project activities are planed to continue running after the end of the project. The created web-portal will serve as a resource unit for the investors, however energy efficiency, renewable energy, innovations and ICT are the best tools to be implemented in every sphere of economy and business. The web-based portal will provide needed information for all interested stakeholders for future cross-border business projects. The emerged connections between business formation and TROs, supported by the LDOs will seek continue of the cross-border initiatives and active dialogue across the Bulgaria-Serbia border and within the EU. The created crossborder network will generate ideas and exchange information on a regularly bases for further answering different SMEs demands and technology requests and thus will be a good structure for project initiatives and development. After the business/technology brokerage event the business units will achieve profound know-how and experience on how to find solutions for their everyday problems and will continue to initiate similar events. The implementation of the project will advance the partnership between the project organizations, namely AEDK, GIS TCF and University faculties and will be the bases for new cross-border project initiatives. Moreover, the successful implementation of the project could be multiplied to other regions and actions.

2007CB16IPO006-2009-1-43 Increase the competitiveness of enterprises by focusing on technology and know-how transfer between SMEs, research, industry and educational institutions in the sphere of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and ICT for the Sofia and Nishava districts

Thank you!

Kamura Holidays Ltd. 41, Otets Paisii Str. 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel/fax: + 359 02 4792357 Kamuraholidays@gmail.com

Kostinbrod, 14/10/2011