TECHNOFOCUS to support the technological innovation in the SMEs

The Technofocus project persecutes to support the technological innovation in the SMEs and to foment the technological and industrial co-operation between European companies. This project began in 98 from the initiative of six European organizations, after the auction in the setting of the program of interregional co-operation, RECITE II, impelled by DIRECTORIATE - GENERAL XVI of the European Commission and financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The project will finish on the 30th May 2001

Innovation and technology are essential features of the modernisation strategies of firms and of society as a whole. This analysis is shared by all the Technofocus partners, who came together through their common involvement in the European Business Network and the Southern European MERIDIANA association. Established industrial sectors in their regions have little experience of new technologies and are insufficiently present in international markets. Concerted efforts are needed to counter the problems small firms have when it comes to incorporating technological advances and concluding international co-operation agreements with other firms.

The Technofocus objectives are fivefold: to encourage firms to use new technologies as part of their strategies to improve competitiveness; to tailor the supply of new technologies to SME needs; to promote the creation of bodies that can acts as intermediaries between European SMEs; to improve the know-how and skills of SME owners and managers; and to stimulate access to new production and information technologies.

The main actions to reach these objectives are:

Innovation days: There are analyzed the current situation and technological key tendencies of three productive sectors of European interest: Printing, Agrofood and Textile. Moreover it is promoted the incorporation of these technologies through the implication of their suppliers.
Co-operation and Technology Transfer days: Meetings between European SMEs and specialized brokers in technology transfer who represent a folder of companies from their respective countries (Europe). The objective is to obtain technology transfer agreements between European companies.
Creation of a Telematic forum on innovation for SMEs: It will constitute a platform through which firms can exchange information and access support on innovation.
Partnership:
Project Leader:
CEIN (BIC Navarre), Navarre - Spain
Partners:
IMFE, Granada - Spain
CEISET, Setubal - Portugal
CIEBI, Beira - Portugal
ULAC, Crete - Greece
BIC TOSCANA, Prato - Italy