The scope of the pilot action for the Region of Central Macedonia is to enable SMEs get familiarised with research results, which are already on the market, as a mechanism for introducing innovation to new products or services. The pilot action addresses the members of the Chamber of Small and Medium-sized Industries of Thessaloniki but is also open to anyone interested. The Regional Laboratory of Central Macedonia made a selection of technologies (technology portfolio) that will support the above group of SMEs in product and process innovation and decided to showcase those technologies during five thematic seminars for SMEs. The seminars are mainly focusing on horizontal cost saving technologies which can be applied to all interested SMEs.

The first seminar focusing on "energy saving for SMEs" took place on July 20th 2011. It showcased three different "energy saving" technologies: compressed air system, photovoltaics and natural gas co-production units. This first seminar’s relatively low participation led us to better focus thematically the next seminars. Consequently, several months later, in May 2012, ANATOLIKI s.a. schedules three more seminars for SMEs addressing each time specific SMEs that can have a clear advantage from the subjects presented.

Thus, the second seminar focuses on energy saving through alternative energy sources: addressing energy intensive SMEs with an annual electric power consumption of more than 15.000 euro. During this seminar two specific technologies will be presented:

• Co-generation units with the use of natural gas
• Energy production from sun and natural gas

The third seminar focuses on energy saving on the production line. It addresses SMEs that are able to use automation systems for production, storing etc. During this seminar two specific technologies will be presented:

• Energy saving on the production line
• Estimation of the operational status of the equipment for assuring safe operation and quality

The second and third seminar are scheduled both for May 2^nd 2012 in cooperation with the Chamber of Small and Medium-sized Industries of Thessaloniki.

The fourth seminar, taking place on May 4^th 2012, is co-hosted by the INTERVALUE project which is also addressing the SEE area with the aim to establish cooperation mechanisms for the valorization of the R&D potential of universities of the South East Europe area, establishing supply chains between the R&D institutions and the business sector. The Regional Laboratory had already established cooperation with INTERVALUE while brainstorming on the objectives of the pilot action for Central Macedonia. It had then been decided that this pilot action would be expected to:

•  provide tangible evidence about the capability of small and medium size companies to profit from academic research by developing products and processes based on such research,
• bring companies closer to university Labs establishing links of collaboration,
• understand the barriers of collaboration which are due to different levels of technological expertise of companies and university research labs
• establish collaboration between two projects of the SEE program, Asviloc+ and Intervalue.

During this fourth seminar researchers will explain research-resulting technologies in business plan form addressing SMEs, venture capital fund associations and business consultants. The idea is to explain the potential of the technologies and how those might be applied and financed towards their transformation to entrepreneurial activity.

The seminar cycle will be concluded with one last seminar the subject of which is still to be specified. For every seminar, an evaluation questionnaire will be completed by the participating companies, including an assessment of the technologies presented.

The Regional Innovation Action Plan for the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece, being drafted in the framework of WP6 – Strategy for a Transnational Innovation System of the SEE - AsviLocPlus project will be presented, in the International Conference for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development - ICEIRD 2012, June 1^st – 2^nd 2012 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Action Plan will be presented by Mr. Nikos Zaharis, Director of South East European Reasearch Center (SEERC), who is a member of the AsviLocPlus Regional Laboratory managed by ANATOLIKI s.a. on behalf of the AsviLocPlus project. During the Conference, Mr. Zaharis will be chairing the workshop “Innovation in the Western Balkan Countries: Capacity, Status Quo and Best Practice”.

Below, you can find the abstract of the Action Plan, as it was submitted to ICEIRD.

This paper presents the results of a regional consultation exercise, initiated by the Asviloc+ South East Europe territorial cooperation project, with the aim of defining a medium to long term strategy for developing innovation in the wider metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The strategy was developed and presented for consultation in a series of open events in Thessaloniki, where the relevant stakeholders had the opportunity to debate and reshape it. The wider Thessaloniki area is characterised by the increased concentration of research and innovation support related activities but is lagging behind in terms of the added value and permanent links created between academic research and entrepreneurship. The paper presents the current situation by discussing the position of Thessaloniki and the Region of Central Macedonia regarding innovation activity. The technological and research capacity in the different sectors of the economy are being discussed and the funding of innovation during the recent years presented. Based on the above, a presentation of the main actors of the regional innovation system and an assessment of the local capacity for Research, Development and Innovation, a SWOT analysis with reference to the development of innovative activities is being drawn. The current situation analysis is being complemented by an analysis of the wider context and principles of the innovation strategy. This leads to the definition of the main objectives and priorities of the strategy as well as the tools for its implementation. Priorities for the whole range of the triple helix are discussed and a set of policy proposals are presented. These proposals cover both the institutional and the operational aspects of a comprehensive innovation strategy. Finally a series of proposed activities that will enhance innovation and allow taking advantage of the region’s capacities are being discussed.    

Between 3^rd and 4^th of November 2011 in Bacau took place the 8^th edition of the Regional Investment Forum under the name "North-East Horizon 2020". The event enjoyed the presence of over 200 participants who appreciated the quality of presentations and importance of topic, with good premises for shaping 2014-2020 strategy, with a common goal - the development of the North-East Region of Romania.

One of workshops was dedicated to “Transforming innovative capacity into competitive advantages”. During this panel North-East RDA presented Asviloc Plus projects results in the North-East Region.

Based on the priorities of the Europe 2020 Strategy (creating a smart, sustainable and competitive economy), the workshop discussions have been concentrated on the subject of innovation. People with innovative spirit are the determining factor in technology development. They can facilitate both technical and social development, can provide the link between research and development, industry and policy makers. Conclusions were that incubation and technology transfer to innovative SME are the engine of economic development. Research and innovation need to contribute at creating knowledge and expertise, regional development and competitiveness. SMEs are interested in supporting innovative activities and can have results, but must be supported by clusters, business incubators, technology parks and a Regional strategy for development and increase of competitiveness.

AsviLoc Plus Project has been presented during the seminar 'Innovative Strategies for intelligent specialization (S3) dedicated to the convergence regions' by ADR-NORDEST

Timis County Council, in collaboration with the Directorate General for Regional Policy of the European Commission, organized on 27^th of October 2011, in Timisoara, the seminar 'Innovative Strategies for intelligent specialization (S3) dedicated to the convergence regions', in the context of preparations for the next programming period and the need of regions to develop their own strategies to effectively invest in research, development and innovation.

At the event participated representatives of the public authorities responsible for the management of EU funds, universities and technology research centers, SMEs, Regional Development Agencies, the Managing Authorities and Intermediate Bodies, etc.

From North-East RDA participated Mrs. Gabriela Macoveiu, member of ASVILOC PLUS team who presented the material entitled "Innovative Strategies for regional development in Romania - the example of North-East Region" based on the main results of this project.

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