SMERF

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2. Running projects
3. SMERF

SME Ready for the Future

Acronym: SMERF
Framework: Interreg Central Europe
Duration of the project: 01.04.2023.– 31.03.2026.

Aim of the project:

The project focuses on supporting low-tech and medium-tech SMEs' transition towards SMERF: SME Ready for the Future and providing new services to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Innomediaries (entities either supporting SMEs or closely cooperating with SMEs on innovations development) that will enhance their competences and equally support SMEs, especially in Lower
Silesia (PL), Upper Austria (AT), Emilia-Romagna (IT), Baden-Württemberg (DE), Nyugat-Dunántúl (HU), Jadranska Hrvatska (HR), Liguria (IT), Východné Slovensko (SK) regions.
SMERF creates a unique approach by linking concurrently 4 pillars based on new concepts and models of:

1. Innovation culture,
2. Digital manufacturing,
3. Open innovation 2.0 & sharing economy,
4. Green & circular economy & sustainability.

SMERF helps SMEs to effectively transform and adopt innovative approaches. The goals of interregional cooperation (cross-border knowledge & good practice exchange) include:

• creating innovation-friendly culture (often underestimated in SMEs),
• speeding up or introducing digitalization in manufacturing,
• starting or enhancing organizations' to open up and encouraging them to Open innovation 2.0 tools & methods,
• implementing solutions & best practices in line with Green Deal and circular economy.

 
Project partners:

• Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (PL)
• Business Upper Austria (AT)
• Center of Research and Technologic Innovation s.r.l. (IT)
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
• Pannon Business Network  Association (HU)
• STEP RI Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka Ltd. (HR)
• University of Genoa - Polytechnic School (IT)
• Technical University of Kosice (SK)

 
Activity of PBN:

During the project, PBN is responsible for the 4th thematic pillar, it coordinates the thorough mapping of the topic of "green and circular economy and sustainability", together with the partners it searches for answers on how small and medium-sized enterprises can develop in the topic. By carrying out the research, the so-called SMERF Diagnostic tool is going to be developed, with the help of which businesses can assess their own competences and opportunities. PBN also coordinates the mapping of good practices and case studies and their sharing for the participating regions by organizing an international workshop for policy actors.

 
Budget in Euro:
Project overall budget: 2,486,517.00 EUR
Total ERDf funding: 1,989,213.60 EUR
PBN's ERDF funding: 183,584.00 EUR

 
Project homepage: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/smerf/
Program homepage: https://www.interreg-central.eu/
Project manager: Andrea Enyingi-Kurucz (andrea.kurucz@pbn.hu)

Project co-funded by European Regional Development Fund.