Strengthening and empowering of cross border innovation networks through Fertilization Innovation Labs in Agro-food for improving the connection between research and SMEs (EIP approach).
The common challenge is to foster agro-food micro and SMEs innovation level. _x000D_
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SME innovation is one of the major drivers for competitiveness, employment, especially young people, introduction of new products to market and access to international markets. _x000D_
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The innovation system of this area is weak. The common challenge of FILA project is to create a “cross border Innovation ecosystem” to reinforce the link between enterprises and research.  The main overall objective is the creation of cross-border “Fertilization and Innovation Labs in Agro-food - FILA”. _x000D_
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FILA Labs are open “innovation environments” which will favour cooperation among actors of the innovation systems (Business support organizations, SME’s, Research centres, business angels), to improve access to research results for enterprises, thus stimulating the creation of innovative solutions and further investment in innovation, to support Start UPs. _x000D_
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The expected change is to enhance the innovation level of SMEs through the support given by FILA Labs to at least 50 OG for innovation according to EIP approach (European Innovation Partnership, Reg. UE 1305/2013). _x000D_
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The main outputs will be: T1 Fertilization Innovation Lab in Agro-food model; T2, 3 FILA Labs realized in Albania (Korçe - RDA), in Montenegro (Niksic - Tehnopolis), in Apulia (Bari - CIHEAM) based on FILA model which are open equipped environments to favour knowledge transfer and collaboration between SMEs and scientific institutions (OG); T3 Cross-border network among FILAs, open to other institutions and organizations. _x000D_
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The approach is based on participatory and collaborative methods. An ecosystem approach to delivery will be followed focusing on mobilising demand, diffusion of innovation and deepening the dialogue between different actors of innovation chain. Cross-border cooperation approach brings added value compared to a national approach with more opportunities for SMEs._x000D_
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Information added on 2020-05-14, regarding the mitigation of the effects of COVID-19 (the coronavirus pandemic that started in 2019) (English language only): This project, enhancing SMEs competitiveness through the creation of ‘Fertilization and Innovation Labs in Agro-food’, reacted to the Covid-19 emergency, and through its partner Tehnopolis used its 3D printers, originally thought for agricultural innovation purposes, to produce protective equipment – visors - for essential medical and economic staff.