KIGNET INNOVATIONS – chamber system of support for enterprise innovativeness

Polish Chamber of Commerce with its 12 partners - business environment institutions, mainly chambers of commerce - conducts the ”KIGNET INNOVATIONS – chamber system of support for enterprise innovativeness” project, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the ”Innovative Economy” Operational Programme, Measure 5.2: Support for business environment institutions providing pro-innovative services and their networks of supra-regional importance.

The purpose of the project is to develop the integrated KIGNET Innovations Network by promoting and improving availability of high-quality advisory services of pro-innovative nature provided to enterprises and enhancing innovations in the economy by development of a friendly system of information and cooperation between business and institutions supporting innovations.

Specific goals were defined as:

1. Creation on the basis of the KIGNET Innovations Network of ”Chamber Network for Cluster Support, Cooperation and Promotion”.
2. Creation and development of methods, forms and tools for cooperation between enterprises, science and research institutes, and Polish and foreign schools and universities.
3. Development of new pro-innovative advisory services for enterprises.
4. Development of cooperation between KIGNET Innovations Network and national and foreign pro-innovative networks.

Re. 1. Tasks related to the first goal include:

• development and implementation of tools and methods of cooperation between  clusters in Poland, including development of an internet platform for cluster initiatives,
• development of a guide of good clustering models and practices in Poland,
• inclusion of the developed supra-regional network for cluster support, cooperation and promotion into the network of clusters and cluster initiatives in Europe,
• engagement in initiatives to create - in cooperation with other clusters - business opportunities for companies operating within clusters (business partner matching, working business-to-business meetings),
• provision of consulting services for companies regarding cluster initiatives: identification of problems and needs, mapping, structure, organization and participants, management, financing.

Until the end of 2010 the activities within the Project successfully inspired and supported creation and development of a few clusters. More initiatives, partnerships and consultations  are started in order to develop clusters as an effective tool for fostering innovations, in particular in the area of innovations related to implementation of the EU energy and climate package.

Re. 2. Performance of the second goal will comprise activities related to development of Business-Science-Business cooperation platform, including:

• identification and development of: data bases of scientific and research institutions, technology transfer centres, research and development centres, science and technology parks along with their offers of research and solutions in new technologies; data bases of innovative companies ready for technological collaboration and cooperation with other companies; data bases of industry experts,
• development of tools and methods of enterprise innovativeness audits,
• preparation (trainings and workshops) of consultants from the networks, providing pro-innovative information and advisory services concerning technology audits and technology transfers,
• activity promoting in-company practical training and internships for students,
• provision of information and consulting services for companies in the area of audits, business partner matching and technology transfers.

Direct contacts are established and developed between research and development units, technology transfer centres at universities, enabling provision of consulting services for enterprises. Activities aimed at practical involvement of students in business lead to student practices and internships in innovative companies.

Re. 3. With regard to the third goal - Diffusion of Innovations -  the following tasks are planned:

• development and implementation of new scopes of pro-innovative consulting services;
• development of internet tools for on-line services,
• provision of services including: business partner matching, preparation and organization of company participation in domestic and foreign fairs and missions as well as B2B meetings, identification and preparation of new foreign markets for business, consulting in promotion, presentation, advertising.

Partner’s services are promoted within the KIGNET Innovations Network and made available outside the region in which the Partner operates.

The activities completed until now resulted in development and implementation of over 30 new or significantly modified advisory services of pro-innovative nature, provided free of charge to enterprises, including the service of foreign partner matching/export consulting also with participation in international exhibitions, fairs and trade missions; improvement of energy efficiency of company buildings, including energy audits; certification of involvement in the Innovative Programme for Activating Poland’s Incoming Tourism.

Re. 4. The fourth goal of the project supports activities of the first three in national and international cooperation by:

• participation in international networks of business environment institutions supporting innovations,
• participation in international seminars and conferences related to promotion and development of innovativeness,
• establishing of national and international cooperation by getting to know the systems, methods and forms in which networks of business environment institutions operate, exchange of good practices, including through conferences, seminars and study tours.

KIGNET Innovations Network is a member of international cooperation networks: EBN European Business Network, ECA European Cluster Alliance, EUNOP EU-Net Oderpartnership, ECTAA European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations.

A very important practical dimension of the project is provision of advisory services supporting implementation or preparing companies for implementation of innovations.

The services are provided to enterprises free of charge  by the KIGNET Network consultants who meet the criteria of required qualifications and experience. In cases justified from the perspective of company needs, the consultants use the knowledge and expertise of expert advisers. This applies in particular to business consulting related to acquisition and implementation of new technologies and innovative solutions. Standardized scopes of services are defined for individual areas of the above mentioned specific goals. The service provision process and service quality are guaranteed by compliance with the national standards for consulting services of pro-innovative nature.

Since the value of the free consulting represents the value of de minimis aid accepted by an enterprise, the companies which meet the conditions for acceptance of such aid can benefit from the consulting available under the project. 

Project duration: II kw. 2009 – II kw. 2012

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