The main objective of “Create4value" project is to adapt significantly improved methodology of co-creation to the needs of “first time innovators” from the Wielkopolska region, based on testing the intrinsic and extrinsic approaches to engaging end-users and stakeholders in the process. The real challenge that PSTP and other innovation agencies face is to mobilise non-innovative companies, that have never benefited from any support in innovation implementation, despite their potential. The target group of “Create4value” project will be predefined within another project that PSTP is leading, namely “Innovators2B” (INNOSUP-05-2016-2017, „Peer learning of innovation agencies” action), which will allow PSTP to identify and reach companies from the Wielkopolska region representing the “first time innovators”. “Create4value” will build on this knowledge and deliver innovation support scheme in the form of co-creation service to the “potentially innovative SMEs”. The improved SME support scheme is based on the co-creation method applied as an organised process of product or service development, motivated by the real needs of the users and their involvement in the whole action, as well as assistance of experienced innovation agency - PSTP. The novel approach means addressing “first time innovators” with a view to unlock their innovation potential and bring economic effects in consequence. The impact of co-creation service will be measured using small-scale RCTs method. Conclusions will be prepared aiming to scale-up tested approach. This experiment will help PSTP to elaborate the method of assessing the support schemes and choose the ones with significant impact to make them a part of the PSTP offer in the future. The results of the project will be disseminated, especially to help other innovation agencies, stakeholders or regional authorities to use RCTs method when designing and testing new support schemes for SMEs.

The main aim of Innovators2B is to enhance the agencies’ management efficiency in the field of first time innovators’ service. Three innovation agencies involved in the project will work using twinning+ methodology in order to create valuable Design Options Paper regarding first time innovators engagement into process of implementing innovation. The solutions developed in the paper will be implemented in the agencies as new or improved programmes based on these given approaches. The result of peer learning activities within the project will be an effective approach to identify and convince “potentially innovative companies” to engage in innovation process with the use of external support. It involves designing the whole support process from the identification of the target group, marketing channels, attractive offer, diagnostics of individual needs, consequent support delivery and follow up of the process till successful result. The results of the project will be communicated to regional and national authorities as the topic of monitoring SMEs needs is very common with regard to efficiency of policies aiming to enhance SMEs competitiveness, especially their growth on national and international markets as well as their engagement in innovation processes.

<< Objectives >>The project aims at CAPACITY BUILDING of three Business Support Organisations from CZ, PL and PT addressing RECEPTION AND INTEGRATION of TGs of IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES by peer learning and exchange of experience leading to IMPROVEMENT of their STAFF’S COMPETENCES IN CREATING TRAINING COURSES. The project leads to re/designing of 3 partners’ training offers to make them INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTING DIVERSITY. The trainings will lead to ENHANCING TGS’ EMPLOYABILITY by supporting their self-employment.<< Implementation >>A1: International Inspirational Workshops: - online kick-off meeting - SWOT analysis online workshop, - 3 face-to-face 4 days lasting International WSs in partners’ countries, - 6 in-company follow-up seminars. A2: Peer Learning and Capacity Building: - 3 Peer-learning online events. A3: Good Practice Transfer and Piloting: - re/designing of partners’ training offers, - piloting, - elaboration of Good Practice Guide. Dissemin., evaluation and PM - part of each activity.<< Results >>Following results will be reached: Activity 1: - 2 online events - SWOT analysis - 3 F2F international events - 6 national follow-up in-company seminars Activity 2: - 3 international peer-learning online events - 3 written recommendations for training courses re/design. Activity 3: - 3 re/designed training courses in form of toolkits for trainers (1/country), - re/designed training courses piloting with TGs including evaluation in form of focus groups, - Good Practice Guide.

The main goal of this project is to increase the agencies efficiency in the field of capital investment management and financial support for innovative SMEs that are launching new innovative products/technologies (R+D) by finding tools and methods to improve the investment process, especially by facilitating the SMEs cooperation with corporate companies. Four innovation agencies (IAs) will work on the whole investment process for SMEs’ innovative technologies/solutions to ensure the best quality in the selection of the SMEs and their management staff and proposals. The IAs will also pay attention how to choose the best qualified and experienced experts to the process of evaluating ideas. Besides, the main emphasis will be put on the validation process in order to ensure the SMEs feedback from the potential business partners and facilitate them to start the cooperation with corporates companies and acquire the financial (short or long term) support. Innovation agencies involved in the project will work using twinning+ methodology in order to create valuable Design Options Paper regarding whole investment process including the selection of the SMEs, evaluation, validation leading to obtain the capital by SMEs. The new approach to investment process run by IAs can strengthen the position of innovation centres on the national and international arena as a high value added business support organisations regarding investment area and can limit the risk of investment in highly innovative SMEs solutions. The result of peer learning activities delevoped in the Design Option Paper will be implemented in the agencies as improved investment programmes and will be put into practice by IAs. The results of the project can enhance also the possibilities of obtaining by SMEs not only the short but also the long-term capital from business and financial partners what can enhance SMEs growth, competitiveness and facilitate their focusing on profitability of innovative solutions.

The objective of the project is to contribute to and enhance the innovation potential and innovation management skills within the SMEs in the West Poland area. The project will follow a developed methodology to help the regional businesses to increase their innovation capacity and to innovate profitably. The project will be implemented via 2 specific schemes: 1) Service ‘Key account management for SME Instrument beneficiaries’ This service will be aimed at SMEs which will be successful in applying for the SME Instrument Programme under the Horizon 2020 (Phase I or Phase II). Upon the receipt of the information (potential beneficiary’s contact details) from the EC/EASME, the project partner will contact the potential beneficiary in order to explain the service and convince the SME to use the potential it offers. 2) Service: ‘Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME’s’. This service will be aimed at promising SMEs capable of growth and successful internationalisation that have real potential for innovation via proper development of their products, processes, services or business model but who lack the right skills, knowledge and experience to manage the innovation activities. The aim of this scheme is to first of all support those SMEs in order to make them unlock their potential for better management of the processes linked to innovation. The project will be implemented as a testing phase from May 2014 until December 2014.