Questionnaires and interviews of small and medium entrepreneurs currently is taking place in all partner countries in Baltic Sea Region, with aim to identify needs, barriers and potential for cooperation and interests in the context of internationalisation, innovation and smart specialisation. Based on results of the research, bottom-up solutions will be made for business support by developing a functioning and sustainable Transnational Innovation Brokerage System (TIBS).
The questionnaire and interview process takes place during July in all GoSmart partner regions. Results of the study will be summarized and announced already on August. This will allow researchers to understand what the current situation is, what problems entrepreneurs face and what kind of support they expect.
“Due to size, resources and specialisation in specific R&D&I areas, the Baltic Sea Region countries do not fully exploit their competitive potential in international markets. To increase their competitiveness, it is necessary to foster transnational cooperation and strengthen smart specialization in the region”, said Mantas Vilys, the CEO of the Lithuanian Innovation Centre during project GoSmart BSR informative event in Vilnius, Lithuania.
As previously reported, the system (TIBS) will be tested together with entrepreneurs from each partner region. In each of the partner regions a specialist will be selected and trained – innovation broker, who will work to ensure the link among the needs of enterprises, the resources of research institutes and the influence of policy-making institutions.
Project “Strengthening smart specialisation by fostering transnational cooperation (GoSmart BSR)” is implemented with the support from the European Regional Development Fund Baltic Sea Region Programme 2014-2020. From October 2017 to September 2020 project unites 8 partners from 7 countries, and it aims to increase capacity of innovation actors to apply smart specialisation approach.
