The project “Innovation Eco-System in the CBC area (CBC INNOV8)” consist in the establishment of innovation support infrastructure for transfer of know-how technologies among Start-Ups and SMEs in the CBC areas between Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Albania, implemented by FITR, National center for development of innovation and entrepreneurial learning (NCDIEL), EuroPartners Development and National Agency of Scientific Research and Innovation (ARTI). The project is financed by the Eropean Commission, represented by the Deleation of European Union in Republic of North Macedonia, through the Cross-border Programme for Republic of North Macedonia – Republic of Albania under the instrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), allocations for 2014-2020
The main purpose of the proposed action is to help establish, within the existing educational and businesses context, a CBC innovation eco-system for SMEs and Start-Ups by:
- Strengthening capacities of key stakeholders in advancing competitiveness and know in the CBC areas.
- Enhancing cross-sector cooperation between SMEs and Start-Ups by focusing in complementarity and utilizing the present and future business opportunities for joint ventures and offering perennial service.
- Mainstreaming the established innovation eco-system from national to CBC areas.
Albania and Macedonia are neighbouring countries, but the level of trade between them is the lowest. The cross-border Start-Ups and SMEs, apart from underdeveloped physical infrastructure, are characterized with high level of immigration and the existing businesses are on the lower scale of technological development and competitiveness. Whereas the educational institutions provide formal education, including curricula that support self-employment.
The Fund for innovations and technological development, as part of the planned activities within the project, announces – Public call for financing projects for newly established “start-up” and “spin-off” companies in the southeastern region of RSM as part of the project “Innovation Eco-System in the CBC area (CBC INNOV8)”.
All the required documentation is available on this link.
The application form is available here