The “New Tools for Innovation Monitoring” (NETIM) project aims to capitalize on the experiences carried out by Innovation Agencies around the world concerning the most effective and simple methods for collecting, elaborating and rendering data related to the implementation processes of innovation policies and measures. For this purpose, a Twinning Advanced mechanism will be set up among the three partner agencies in order to allow them to jointly evaluate existing approaches to policy monitoring (both developed by the partners themselves and from other agencies and bodies worldwide), select the most convincing solutions and design/adapt a new monitoring tool. The selection process will be guided by a pragmatic approach, with the goal of individuating those solutions to policy monitoring that have been proven to be simple, effective and cost-efficient. On this base, a new monitoring tool will be assembled, by designing: • a suitable list of indicators • an interpretation grid for the selected indicators • an efficient data collection system • a multi-level data analysis and reporting tool (for policy makers, for beneficiaries, for larger audience). The final project output will be a Design Options Paper that will guide other agencies and bodies to the practical implementation of the NETIM monitoring tool in their regional context.

The present proposal regards the design of new models of intervention aimed at supporting bottom-up innovations and competiveness in SMEs founded by the young through the growth of entrepreneurial/managerial skills of young innovators, the improvement of networking opportunities for start-uppers and the development of grassroots innovations. Often, fledgling businesses are at risk of failure, and the enthusiasm of young entrepreneurs can fade out if not supported by significant business skill developments and proper partnerships. Where traditional approaches of empowering innovation in start-up businesses do not seem to work, public policies should be capable of applying less conventional methods of interventions: to drive new business models within the sharing and collaborative economy and by recognizing a central role to young innovators as part of active business communities. The objective of the project is therefore to develop a ready-to-implement policy for regional and national agencies working on innovation programmes focused on establishing a positive eco-system for start-ups created and developed by young entrepreneurs, as well as for young innovators to develop applied skills by collaborating with companies.