KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Date of latest update: 2023-12-02

Description

Description (EN):

Improving the innovation capacity in SMEs is one of the most important - and thus most common - objectives across Europe to reach the EU2020-goal of Smart Growth. A lot of policy instruments have been established to contribute to this objective. But it seems not easy to reach the SMEs with structural funds, especially in cross-border regions. In this context it is remarkable that different border regions with the same objectives and comparable policy instruments (e.g. INTERREG-Programmes) still use different strategies and projects to realise SME involvement. The KISS ME project partners will use this differences to improve their policy instruments addressing SMEs to develop, grow and engage in innovation processes. At the Hungarian-Croatian border region, cross-border cooperation is still at a low level. The project partner HAMAG BICRO however is now involved in an SME scheme for financial support (“PP Light scheme”), which is unique in South-Eastern Europe. In the Norwegian-Swedish border region, cross-border cooperation among SMEs is developed in some sectors, but can be further improved. At the French-Spanish border, an EGTC was created to strengthen the cross-border cooperation. Their project to stimulate exchanges between SMEs was awarded in 2014. Last but not least, at the Dutch-German border, there is a lot of experience in financing SME-projects. But preparation of projects for the new CBC Programme shows that SME cooperation is not self-evident. Keeping in mind these differences, the KISS ME-project objective is to strengthen the innovation capacity of SMEs by comparing the approaches of four different border regions, exchanging tools to reach SMEs and improving the policy instruments. Based on the findings, action plans will be developed which will then be implemented in a second phase. The project results will be disseminated at European level and will be valuable for all regions trying to support SME competetiveness jointly across borders.

Achievements (EN): In terms of activities, the project has organised a total of 26 policy learning events. It has also identified 15 good practices, produced 4 action plans and led to the increased capacity of 23 people.

Website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/interreg-europe-2014-2020

Expected Results (EN):

The KISS ME-project objective is to strengthen the innovation capacity of SMEs by comparing the approaches of four different border regions, exchanging tools to engage SMEs in cross-border cooperation and thereby improving the policy instruments aiming at fostering innovation in SMEs in each region. In order to achieve this, the partnership seeks to - compare the level of cross-border cooperation in the field of innovation and involving SME in the four different regions and find out why the four regions use different approaches and tools to reach the same goals; - show best-practice approaches to interregional stakeholders and try out the different tools in the other regions, raise awareness of regional actors that cooperation across the border offers great innovation potential (e.g. by stakeholder meetings, events, communication tools); - elaborate action plans to make the involved policy instruments more attractive for SMEs and more able to stimulate innovation through programme level improvements (e.g flexible partnerships models, business funding schemes, business targeted calls) and through project level improvements (Exchange of experience of successful projects where SME involvement leading to product or process innovation due to the cross border dimension, success factors/ project methodologies in successful SME projects, successful project activities for cross border networks and clustering); - initiate a longstanding and effective network of cooperation between actors across borders (by learning to know each other and understand the reasons behind the different approaches in different regions); - actively disseminate and promote the project’s results within and beyond the regions’ working area; document the results accordingly and contribute the knowledge to the policy platforms and at EU-level as example for every region in Europe.

Expected Outputs (EN):

Addressing priority axis 2: "Competetiveness of SMEs", the KISS ME-project intends to strengthen the innovation capacity of SMEs by comparing the approaches of four different border regions, exchanging tools to reach SMEs and thereby improving the policy instruments aiming at fostering innovation in SMEs in each region. Concrete outputs of the project will be: -1 interregional capitalization seminar. -1 kickoff event. -4 interregional site visits with cross-border stakeholder meetings. -5 local stakeholder meetings in every region (=20 in total). -1 action plan presentation meeting. -2 project meetings in phase 2. -1 final event. -4 regional studies on the level of cross-border (SME-)cooperation. -1 joint analysis of cross-border innovation strategies, related to the characteristics of the border region, as basis for the improvement of such strategies all over Europe. -4 regional action plans, based on the results, exchanged ideas, experiences and measures collected during the interregional learning activities. -Project website, press releases (at least 3 per region) and communication instruments (see details in every semester). Resulting in: - Introducing and importing new innovation tools in each cross-border region, resulting in a number of SMEs profiting from best practice-instruments elaborated through the KISS ME-project. This could be in new or existing projects, depending of the availability of funding in the programmes by the end of phase 1 of the KISS ME-project. - Enhancing the capacity of participating organisations as well as regional actors (reaching all the project stakeholders). - Inspiring SMEs to join cross-border cooperation in the INTERREG-context (at least 480 SME will be addressed) . - Developing a sustainable network of cooperation between the participating regions - especially to assist each other implementing their strategies (e.g. by exchanging documents, promote PP Light SME schemes together) . - Changing the strategic focus of the policy instruments involved to better integrate possibilities for cross-border cooperation between SMEs in the future. The project management will ensure that the project is implemented in line with the Interreg Europe programme rules. The project management will also ensure the participation and contribution of the KISS ME-partners and stakeholders in the SMEs competetiveness policy learning platform, to disseminate their results but also to keep an eye on actual issues and to get assistance with the improvement of their policy instruments (e.g. peer reviews). The communication activities will ensure to: - convince regional stakeholders and other actors to engage in cross-border interaction, leading to innovation in SMEs. - create awareness of the action plans and results at decision makers at regional and European level. - make the public aware of the project’s efforts and necessity. - ensuring a proper internal communication in order to secure the successful working of the partnership.

Thematic information

Regional planning and development SME and entrepreneurship

Specific Objective: Improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs and, where relevant, ETC programmes, supporting SMEs in all stages of their life cycle to develop and achieve growth and engage in innovation

Thematic Objective: (03) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs by:

Investment Priority: (03d) supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national and international markets, and to engage in innovation processes

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Euregio Rhein-Waal

Department: N/A

Address: Emmericher Str. 24, 47533 Kleve, Germany

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.euregio.org

Total budget: EUR 354 227.00

ERDF budget: EUR 301 092.95

Länsstyrelsen Värmland

Name: Länsstyrelsen Värmland

Department: International Secretariat

Address: Våxnäsgatan 5, 65186 Karlstad, Sweden

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/varmland

Total budget: EUR 105 901.00

ERDF budget: EUR 90 015.85

HAMAG BICRO

Name: HAMAG BICRO

Department: N/A

Address: Ksaver 208, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.investcroatia.hr

Total budget: EUR 144 044.00

ERDF budget: EUR 122 437.40

Innlandet fylkeskommune (until 31/12/2019 Hedmark fylkeskommune)’

Name: Innlandet fylkeskommune (until 31/12/2019 Hedmark fylkeskommune)’

Department: Department of International Relations

Address: Parkgata 64, 2325 Hamar, Norway

Legal status: public

Website: https://www.innlandetfylke.no

Total budget: EUR 175 515.00

Groupement Européen de Coopération Territoriale Pyrénées-Méditerranée (GECT Pyrénées-Méditerranée)

Name: Groupement Européen de Coopération Territoriale Pyrénées-Méditerranée (GECT Pyrénées-Méditerranée)

Department: N/A

Address: El centre del Món, 35 boulevard Saint Assiscle CS 32032, 66000 Perpignan, France

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.euroregio.eu

Total budget: EUR 197 726.00

ERDF budget: EUR 168 067.10

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Länsstyrelsen Värmland

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Partners and Projects info

HAMAG BICRO

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Partners and Projects info

Innlandet County Council (until 31/12/2019 Hedmark County Council)

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Partners and Projects info

EGTC Pyrenees-Mediterranean

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Partners and Projects info

Euregio Rhine-Waal

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Project acronym: KISS ME

Project start date: 2017-01-01

Project end date: 2021-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 977 413.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 681 613.30

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 681 613.30.

Third-country contribution: Norway: EUR 87 757.50 (ERDF equivalent only)

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Project’s final reports

Joint Analysis for the Project “Knowledge and Innovation Strategies involving SMES” (KISS ME)

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Project’s final report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2018-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Reports

Action Plan of the Interreg Europe Project KISS ME: HAMAG – BICRO

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2019-06-28

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan of the Interreg Europe Project KISS ME EGTC Pyrénées-Méditerranée

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2019-07-19

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan of the Interreg Europe Project KISS ME: Euregio Rhine-Waal

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2019-06-28

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan of the Interreg Europe Project KISS ME: Värmland County Administrative Board and Hedmark County Council

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2019-10-20

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Conclusions from the KISS ME Interregional Meetings in Varaždin, Düsseldorf & Barcelona

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2018-11-26

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Workshop Results KISS ME Kick Off Event

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2017-06-29

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Presentations

Euroregional Innovation Strategy and the new RIS3 strategy of the Balearic Islands

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2017-10-05

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Smart Specialization Strategy Knowledge Economy

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2017-10-05

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

KISS ME Final Event: Action Plan Implementation

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-04-15

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action plan HU:HR

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-04-15

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Final Event KISS ME

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-04-15

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Interreg Europe: state of play

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Presentation

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-04-15

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Others

The Academy for smart specialisation

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Other

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2017-10-05

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Update on the implementation of the Action Plan of the Project KISS ME EGTC Pyrenees Mediterranean

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Other

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-04-15

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Brochures / magazines / manuals

The KISS ME Good Practices: A Selection

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Project Fact Sheet

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Media releases / articles

Interreg Europe: KISS ME zu Gast in Düsseldorf

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Media release / article

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: de

Attachment file: Download

Flyers

About the KISS ME Project

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

KISS ME Interreg Europe

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

KISS ME

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Flyer

Data source: http://www.interregeurope.eu/KISSME

Publication date: 2022-02-04

Document date: 2021-06-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-10-31

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

258 / 258 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

2 084 / 2 085 (99.95%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme.

The financial data featured in keep.eu for this programme, it's projects and its partners is not exact and should be taken as a reference only.

Languages

Contact Form

KISS ME - Knowledge & Innovation Strategies involving SME in the context of INTERREG

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer