PYMERA
PymERA is a national network European Union set up by the Ministry
of Science and Technology with participation from organisations from all Autonomous Communities to facilitate and
encourage the participation of Spanish Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in European Union Framework R+D+I
Programmes.
In recent years, the PymERA Network, officially established on 24 April 2003 as an heir of the INFOCRAFT initiative, has
achieved an important position for SMEs and other bodies in Europe thanks to the intense task of specialisation carried
out by members of the network in the most important areas of the Framework Programmes. In addition, as well as working
in close co-operation with the European Commission it collaborates with many institutions for technology development,
such as the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI), the French Innovation Agency (ANVAR), the Finnish
National Technology Agency (TEKES), National Contact Points for SMEs, etc.
The PymERA Network has the permanent support of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism
and Trade and the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI).
The aims of the PymERA Network are:
- To encourage participation by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Framework Programme projects in any form.
- To inform and advise SMEs on the opportunities, characteristics and requirements of Framework Programme projects.
- To provide incentives for co-operation in European projects between SMEs, universities and Innovation and Technology Centres.
Services to companies:
- Carrying out training seminars and conferences on the participation of SMEs in the Framework Programme.
- Providing expert personalised assistance to SMEs on how to take part in the Framework Programme.
- Personalised support for companies for seeking national and international partners for forming consortiums
or consortiums that have already been established.
- Technical advice to companies on preparing project bids for the 6th Framework Programme.
- Publicising information about the Framework Programme.
RICAI
The main aim of the RICAI Network (Iberian Network of Technology
Support Centres) is to contribute to regional development through innovation and technological development through the
creation of an Iberian Network of Centres for Supporting and Promoting Innovation.
Its objectives are:
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Encouraging the management of knowledge, technology and innovation in Spain and Portugal through the integration and
complementary nature of existing and new capabilities at innovation support centres aimed at raising the achievement
of public and private companies in the two countries, with the emphasis on company level.
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Raising competences and making the most of the potential complementary features between member institutions to
participate successfully in innovation actions, with the training of human resources as a strategic element.
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To promote training and the strengthening of management information management capabilities in the communities and
regions of Spain and Portugal that are least developed in these activities.
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To provide support for demands for other activities and instruments of the National R+D+I Programme in Spain and
Portugal in the innovation field.
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To promote and advise companies, particularly SMEs, on participation in National and European R+D+I Projects.
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To promote and integrate Iberian capabilities into the activities to be carried on within the IberoAmerican Network
of Innovation Support Centres, backed by CYTED.
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To encourage and integrate Spanish and Portuguese effort so it can be integrated into European Research Networks
(NoE) and other instruments established in the European Union 6th Framework Programme.
Services to companies:
- Managing Technological Innovation at companies and institutions.
- Technology policy management.
- Technology prospecting and monitoring.
- Advice on R+D+I management advice.
- New business management models.
- Advice on:
- Environmental technologies
- Knowledge technologies
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
NETWORK OF TECHNOLOGY ANTENNAS
The aim of the Network of Technology
Antennas is to create a physical and virtual network of business support centres(technology antennas) intended to
analyse and encourage demand for innovation and to consolidate the range of technology on the Balearic Islands. This
network, supported and led by the DGRDI will be made up of support centres on each of the three larger islands (Mallorca,
Menorca and Ibiza), where business people can ask any question concerning demands for innovation and improving their
competitive position. The IBIT Foundation is actively participating in creating content for the innovation portal which
is the network's communal tool, largely in the area of subsidies and aid.
Business services:
- Technical advice on R+D+i business aid:
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Advice on the lines of regional. national and European finance most appropriate for the characteristics of
the projects and the needs of the company.
- Personalised alert service for new business R+D+i bidding processes.
- Advice on presenting bids to business R+D+i project aid programmes:
- Technical support for drawing up bids for R+D+i programmes.
- Seeking technological partners for developing projects.
- Participation in European co-operative business R+D projects.
COTEC
COTEC is a business organisation aimed at contributing to promoting
technological innovation and increasing social awareness of technology.
Its private and clearly business origin, the importance and number of institutions and businesses that have joined the
initial project and, above all, the inestimable support it has received from the beginning from Corona, make Cotec an
unusual and, in some ways, unique in the countries around us.
To comply with its mission, Cotec has set the following permanent strategic objectives:
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Development of technology culture and innovative attitudes.
The Foundation intends to consolidate technological innovation as a cultural value and a norm of business conduct.
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Analysis of the effects of innovation.
COTEC has to contribute to knowledge of the consequences of technological change for companies and for society in
general.
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Institutional presence
This business view must be transmitted to the institutions so it is one of their starting points when it comes to
designing their actions with technological and industrial content.
The COTEC Foundation carries out various activities, including:
- Conferences and round tables to debate aspects of innovation processes.
- Studies in which experts approach aspects of the innovation economy and subjects of general interest in the
innovation system carried out with scientific and academic rigour.
- Documents about needs and technological opportunities in the sectors involved.
- Essays with the views and thoughts of the authors on matters related to technological innovation.
- Annual reports on technology and innovation in Spain.
- Annual reports from Cotec including the activities carried out and the operational aspects of the organisation.
Partners:
BBVA, Freixenet Group, Iberdrola, Telefònica S.A., Repsol YPF, Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa, Zeltia, Madrid Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, DMR Consulting, Deloitte, IMADE, IMPIVA, Alstom Spain, Endesa, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Business
of the Andalusian Government, Fondazione Cotec (Italy), Cotec Foundation.
EUREKA TOURISM
The Eureka Tourism project was
thought up as a response to the technological innovation required by the European tourism sector and as a strategic
action launched within the EUREKA programme to develop tourism, leisure and cultural industries through technological
innovation. The aim of this strategic project is the application of new technologies for the development and
sustainability of the tourism, leisure and cultural industry, as well as improving the quality of life for European
citizens.
The main purpose of Eureka Tourism is to be a framework in which companies, associations, research institutions and
public administrations (at local, regional, national, European Union and Eureka level) can work together to:
- Promote the sustainable development of the European tourism and leisure industry through applications and new services.
- To define, based on experience in this sector, the main working directions in the field of innovation and technological
development, with the participation of all the agents involved: suppliers, producers, intermediaries, users and public
bodies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Exchange information and points of view to launch co-operation projects within Eureka and other R+D initiatives.
- Establish international contacts, find partners and define the co-operation framework for applying new technology.
- Present the current Action Plan and promote future support for initiatives by the various administrative bodies.
The current project is the continuation of the EuroTourism project approved in 2001 and completed in 2004.
It represents a unique, pioneering initiative at a world level. Specifically, EUROTOURISM is a strategic project launched
as part of EUREKA, involving the application of technology to tourism and leisure in an environment of European
co-operation and the promotion of the use of knowledge, innovation and technology in tourism, leisure and other
cultural sectors. Because of the new economic situation and the needs of the market the new EUREKA TOURISM project will
follow this line, using the knowledge acquired in the previous EUROTOURISM project. To achieve a good beginning, the
experience obtained will be used as an advantage when the EUREKA TOURISM project is presented.
Partners:
Segitur, Cmm (Centre multimediale digues Terni, S.P.A.), IBIT Foundation, Inov (Inesc Inovaçao, Institut de Novas
Tecnologias), Decizium, University of Deusto, Acte (Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises), Anto (Austrian National
Tourist Office), Innovass On It, S.L, ITH (Hotel Technology Institute), German Economic Institute for Tourism Research /
DWIF-Consulting Gmbh, I-commerce Competence Centri, Ec3, Tiscover Ag, Ttg Itàlia S.P.A., Visual Interaction and
Communications Technology Centre Association – Vicomtech, X+O Business Solutions Gmbh, UOC (Open University of Catalonia),
Fundació Tecnotur, Innovalia, Travel agency ‘Irn’, Itp (Portuguese Tourism Institute), Mina Programaris S.L., Pintail
Ltd., Smart Access S.L., Team (Tourism Enterprise and Management), Madeira Tecnopolo, Innobalears, Creative Màrqueting
S.A., Finnish Tourist Board, Lapland Centre of Expertise For The Experience Industry, Lapland Màrqueting Ltd, Innovation
Norway, Lionbridge Belgium S.P.R.L./B.V.B.A.
IANIS
The IANIS (Innovative Actions Network for the Information Society)
programme has the following objectives.
- To develop an inter-regional working network:
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Establishing effective mechanisms for exchanging information, experiences and good practices between regions,
both at face-to-face and virtual meetings.
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Building a bridge between the regions of the European Union of the 15 and the regions of the new member states.
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Analysing good regional practices in terms of innovation projects, programming, processes and organisation.
The regions of the new member states will be encouraged to take an active part, contributing to efforts to
achieve European cohesion after the expansion.
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Publicising, encouraging and developing the i-region Hub (developed by IANIS), creating new tools for developing
information sources for regional information and the development of the knowledge society with the support of the
employment policy analysis of the Public Administrations in the context of structural funds and the knowledge
society.
Regions
- Germany: Bremen, Saxony and Schlesvig – Holstein.
- Belgium: Wallonia.
- Slovakia: Kosire.
- Slovenia.
- Spain: Andalusia, Aragon, Principality of Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Castile La Mancha, Extremadura,
Navarre, Valencia and the Basque Country.
- Finland: Kuovola, north Karelia, Turku and western Finland.
- France: Aquitaine, Bretagne, Centri, Haute Normandie, La Reúnion, Limousin, Lorraine, Nord Pas-De-Calais, Poitou-Charentes and Rhônes–Alpes.
- Ireland. South-West Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
- Italy: Abruzzo, Calabria, Emilia–Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, lazio, Piomonte and Trentino.
- Poland: Malopolskie Voivodeship and Kujawsko–Pomorskie.
- Portugal: Madeira.
- United Kingdom: Kent, North-East England, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber.
- Czech Republic: Vysocina Region.
- - Sweden: Blekinge.
