About the project

Innovations Platform and Tools for increasing innovation capacity of SMEs in the Balkan Mediterranean Area

INNOPLATFORM aims at improving the competitiveness of the Balkan Mediterranean region by advancing existing knowledge on business model innovations and developing a set of tools (InnoTools) and services (InnoScorecard and InnoRegion) for improving SMEs opportunities, capacities, and knowledge in introducing product and process innovations.

INNOPLATFORM (Innovations Platform and Tools for increasing the innovation capacity of SMEs in the Balkan Mediterranean Area), is a project selected for financing in the 1st call of The Balkan Mediterranean Program.

Project Name:	Innovations Platform and Tools for increasing the innovation capacity of SMEs in the Balkan Mediterranean Area
Project Acronym:	INNOPLATFORM
Project Number:	BMP1/1.2/2370/2017

Project Leader:	Center for Knowledge Management (Skopje, FYROM)

Project Partnership:	INNOPLATFORM is implemented by 6 project partners from 5 countries. The Center for Knowledge Management is the lead partner.
	Project Leader:
	Center for Knowledge Management (Skopje, FYROM)
	Project Partners:
	Computer Technology Institute and Press "Diophantus"(GR) UET Centre (AL) Burgas Free University (BG) Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CY) Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern Greece (GR)
	Observer Partners:
	University of Bedfordshire Business School (UK) Yasar University (TR)

Project Status:	Ongoing
Duration:	01.08.2017 – 31.07.2019
Project website:	http://www.innoplatform.eu/

Project Management:	Andrijana Bogdanovska, PhD, MBA, Project manager
	Branko Gjurovikj, PhD cont., MBA, BSc in ICT, Technical & Financial Project manager
	Julija Peleva Stojkovska, BSc in e-business, Communication and Coordination Associate

Short description:	According to SME Performance Review (EC DG E&I), the Balkan MED region lags behind EU average when it comes to innovations in SMEs. The reasons are many, mainly related to the lack of knowledge and limited SME’s access to tailored support, tools and better use of information and communication technology (ITC). Developed by 6 partners from 5 countries, and 2 observers, INNOPLATFORM aims to address these challenges by facilitating innovation and supporting the commercialisation of innovation in SMEs. Its specific objectives are:
	to assess the current national and regional environment and its challenges to innovation, growth and internationalization of business; to advance existing knowledge and develop common understanding on business model innovation with a focus on internationalization; to develop expertise, tools, and guidelines to strengthen SMEs capacity to introduce product and process innovations; to establish a supporting network of Centres of Excellence in Innovations, foster transnational cooperation and provide support to SMEs in introducing innovations; and to raise awareness on the importance of innovations for the survival, growth and internationalisation of SMEs.
Project Beneficiaries:	The main beneficiaries of the project are SMEs, BSOs, Research centres, Institutes and Universities, and Policy makers from the BM area. Project implementation is transnational as its main goal is to enable transfer of knowledge and experience between the actors of 5 nations, secure economies of scale and critical mass, and enhance mobilisation capacity and innovation potential. The state of the art is threefold: Developing common knowledge and understanding on business model innovation with a focus on internationalization in the region ; Developing a series of innovations tools, services and guidelines to strengthen the capacity of SMEs to introduce process and product innovations; Establishment of an infrastructure of Centres of Excellence, located in 5 countries, for providing knowledge and expertise in innovations to SMEs.