Explore & experiment a new business demand-driven model, based on co-creation patterns between customers & Smes. Two call for proposals will be launched in parallel in all priority RIS-3 sectors, by measuring the impact of interventions via randomised control trials and by making a comparative evaluation of results with a view to get identified the most sustainable model in time: that is inDemand-RTC. A pilot inDemand is currently piloting this new co-creation model in the Health sector between the demand side (public entity) with its suppliers (private companies), brokered by added-value intermediaries (public funders of innovation and business support organisations), with the objective to jointly find solutions to the unmet needs of the demand side. INFO Murcia is entity entrusted by regional government to develop/or implement innovation support programmes for SMEs. INFO is an example of RDAs whose innovation schemes remain with no variation in time (eg. Launching classical supply oriented calls for proposals funded by ERDF) and no adequate way of testing their effectiveness. Being inspired in inDemand, inDemand-RCT is to experiment a new co-creation model between the demand of technology solutions (customers from the priority RIS-3 sectors in the Murcia region) with its suppliers (SMEs), brokered by added-value intermediaries (INFO as public funder of innovation and business support organisations), with the objective to jointly find R+D+i solutions to the unmet needs of the demand side. The purpose will be to accreditate that inDemand-RCT model offers better results than the traditional method . Thus, it is to be experimented the comparison between two situations, the one traditional without neither specific challenges nor monitoring the impact of interventions following RCT and the one with spscific challenges and making use of such RCT measurement. Such a scientific study will compare both approaches with a view to monitor & compare the results obtained.

Innovation support by the Enterprise Europe Network - SEIMED to enhance the innovation management capacity of SMEs in the regions of Comunidad Valenciana y Murcia. In order to enhance SME innovation management capacity, we will support SME´s to implement truly effective processes in order to become more competitive and have a pro-active attitude towards the changing business environment. The traditional approach to innovation is insufficient to make a qualitative leap in competitiveness and facilitate the renewal of the company. Our purpose within this programme is to implement an innovation management capacity in all the layers of the company, a reality that comprises all its activities and provide answers to the needs and challenges of the market. It is necessary, therefore, to create a system that could continuously generate innovation and not only erratic and sporadic progress. This service will be implemented as comprehensive seven-day service packages following the processes and guidelines that are laid down for this purpose. It will be delivered by suitably qualified senior innovation experts and be linked to the other support services of the Enterprise Europe Network SEIMED.

The main objective of INNOVOUCHER project is to develop a European Label for Innovation Voucher programmes, by defining a new model of innovation voucher programme supporting the transnational exchange of innovation services and the procedures of the award of the European Label to those programmes complying with the defined model. The project will foster the transnational collaboration based in innovation vouchers by increasing the range of services offered in the vouchers scheme to include innovation transnational services and the definition of a procedure of automatic recognition of foreign providers, thus increasing the access of SMEs to knowledge and technology from all across Europe. The project will define all the aspects of the model (vision, services catalogue, service providers, communication plan, voucher mechanism and the elements for the efficient management of the model), their minimum requirements to enable the European Label award and the European Label system, based on the experience of the consortium partners on the innovation vouchers management. The new model will be tested in real environment in a pilot project by the launch of an innovation voucher’s call in five regions to support only transnational exchange of innovation services. Lessons learnt during the pilot project, jointly with the feedback from other regions from outside of the project will contribute to improve the defined model. The outcome of the project will consist on a guideline of recommendations on the European Label implementation that will provide the European Commission the tools, procedures and model of entity to manage a future European Label system. The guideline will be delivered in two phases: a first draft after the first year of the project and a reviewed version after the completion of the pilot project, at the third year. This guideline pretends to contribute the future policies to be developed by the European Commission on innovation support field.

CITYnvest strives to introduce innovative financing models (revolving funds, EPC,TPF, cooperative models, etc.) in 3 Pilot Regions (partners Liège (BE), Rhodope (BG) and Murcia (ES)) and conduct a wide-scale capacity building programme in 10 focus countries concerning specific financial instruments/business models. The assessment of innovative financial models is integral to discovering opportunities and identifying and overcoming barriers that specifically local and regional levels face. The project aims to develop a web-based portal that provides diverse practical guidance and match-makes experienced forerunners with less-experienced first-timer authorities. CITYnvest will spread the under-utilized financing models that enable project bundling and aggregation by mobilising the entire value chain at the regional/local level towards Horizon 2020’s energy efficiency goals. To succeed, the project will first tackle public authorities’ lack of understanding and knowledge on innovative financing models for sustainable energy services, especially retrofitting the building stock. Second, CITYnvest’s concrete guidance will ensure in-depth capacity building and training. Third, close collaboration with authorities will trigger innovative financing schemes implementation and mobilise finance for energy efficiency services. Organization of consistent follow-up will monitor progress towards the objective of 37,5 GWh savings/year and other commitments. Finally, the national structures (of CEMR and CA) and invited experts will liaise with the participating public authorities in the capacity building programs to achieve CITYnvest’s goal of ensuring long-term engagement. CITYnvest partners liaise with an Advisory Expert Group and pool of experts to provide the expertise and guidance/training. CITYnvest will further create synergies with other wide-spread initiatives, such as the Covenant of Mayors, linking SEAPS to innovative financing models for energy efficiency.