The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a call for proposals for projects in the field of European Networks and Services under the specific programme for the Dissemination and Optimization of the results of RTD activities (INNOVATION).

 Eligible entities are invited to submit proposals for projects for transnational transfer, promotion and dissemination of schemes, measures and best practice developed to promote and support innovation. Proposals submitted should aim in particular at:

• Supporting the exchange of experience gained with such schemes, measures and methodologies through relevant transnational networks;
• Facilitating transnational cooperation between national organizations in order to share and disseminate specific services related to innovation support, particularly towards SMEs;
• Introducing a European dimension to national support schemes;
• Intensifying inter-sectoral exchange of best practice in promoting innovation;
• Ultimately: comparing, validating, developing and promoting schemes, methodologies and specific services aimed at promoting innovation and technology transfer.

 The above-mentioned services and methodologies should have shown their efficiency at national, regional and sectoral level. They should also have shown their potential to be extended to other partners and to be applied in other Member States with Commission support. Proposals concerning the following schemes will be particularly welcomed:

• Stimulating the creation of firms by researchers (public or private);
• Bringing together financiers, technologists and SME support organizations;
• Fostering the utilization of intellectual property;
• Facilitating the clustering of firms, locally or electronically.

The target groups for this call are public or private providers of innovation support services to firms (Industry Associations, Associations of Entrepreneurs, Research Associations and Technical Resource Centres, Associations of Venture Capitalists, Chambers of Commerce, etc.). Priority will be given to groups which have not previously benefited from financing under the European Networks and Services action. The Work Programme, details of proposal submission procedures, and specimen standard contracts may be obtained from the Commission.

RMK : The deadline for submission of proposals is 15 December 1997 (16-00) as shown by the postmark, or by time of delivery at the Commission's offices in Member states or at the address above. A list of proposals received will be drawn up on 31 December 1997, at which time the call will be closed.

CLOSING DATE : 1997-12-15

CPA : All correspondence concerning this call for proposals must be marked "European networks and services" and sent to the following address: European Commission DG XIII - Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research Unit D/4 Bâtiment Jean Monnet (EUFO 2264) L-2920 Luxembourg Fax +352-430134544 or 430132100 The full text of the call may be found on the CORDIS World Wide Web server, at: http://www.cordis.lu/calls/home.html

A brochure produced in Spring 1995 by Philippe Spackman of the FORADA project based on the experience of the ORA Programme in the Commission's Third Framework Programme. The brochure describes how:

*work is becoming international and trade and investment are becoming global in nature and extent
*the pace of the technological innovation is rising steeply
*organisations and labour markets are changing shape and work can be freed from the constraints of time and location
*business need to improve their information environment to survive in an economy based on a rapidly growing information society
*organisations need to become more environmentally (and socially ) aware and place greater value on quality of life issues.

Available in English, German, Danish, Finnish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish at: http://www.rural-europe.aeidl.be/forada/download.htm

GEN : The Second International Forum for the Development of SMEs will be held in Mulhouse, France, on 23 October 1997. The event is being jointly organized by the International Capital Networking Association (ICNA), SODIV (a venture capital organization) and LINKS (a consultancy firm) and the Region of Alsace. It is supported by the European Commission (ERDF). The theme of the Forum will be "Venture Capital - Making it work". With the participation of companies from some 17 countries, the event will provide an ideal opportunity for the development of international contacts. As such, it is aimed primarily at SMEs interested in developing international partnerships or projects. The Forum has two main objectives: - To offer a clear and practical view of venture capital and how/why it should be used; - To bring together SMEs and venture capital companies in order to discuss potential partnerships or financing/support for future projects. Venture capital organizations from the UK, France, Ireland, Slovakiand Belgium will be participating in the Forum.

 TTL : Second International Forum for the Development of SMEs - "Venture Capital - Making it work"

GEN : A forum on "Practices for improving product development in smaller companies" will take place in Limerick, Ireland, on 17 and 18 November 1997. The event is part of the series of Irish Product Innovation Conferences, and is supported by the Community's INNOVATION programme and the ADAPT Community Initiative. The forum is specifically targeted to the needs of smaller companies. It will focus on practical ways for improving the new product development process in individual companies and on demonstrating techniques and tools which can be utilized and adapted to assist such improvements. In an informal atmosphere, the forum will mix case studies, practical workshops on various methodologies, thematic break-out sessions, clinics and demonstrations, in addition to presentations from some leading figures on what works and why. Highlights of the event will include business stories from successful entrepreneurs and inventors, outlining their thoughts on the best product development strategies. Participants ll also learn how to measure the innovativeness of an organization, and gain practical knowledge of the tools and techniques available to improve this. Individual clinic sessions will be run to give specific advice to participants, and general information on funding opportunities at regional, national and EU level will also be given.

 TTL : Improving product development in smaller companies

GEN : The Third European Conference of Crafts and Small Businesses will take place in Milan, Italy on 20-21 November 1997. The conference, which will address the theme "Employment through innovation", is organized by the European Commission, in collaboration, this year, with the Italian Ministry for Industry, Commerce and the Craft Sector, and the Region of Lombardy. In recent years, the small and medium-sized business sector has shown itself to offer the greatest potential for the creation of employment in Europe. During the period from 1988 to 1995, based on a yearly average, the loss of employment in large companies has been compensated by the creation of jobs in SMEs. Businesses with less than 100 employees have contributed more than 250,000 jobs per year, while more than 200,000 jobs have been lost annually in companies with more than 100 employees. The conference will bring together representatives of the Member States, representative organizations from the Small Business and Crafts sector (both atational and European levels), the economic players (small entrepreneurs, financial institutions and crafts men and women) and the social partners. The aims of the event will be: - To create a favourable environment for the development of crafts and small business; - To create a legal and administrative framework which responds to the needs of this type of business; - To intensify the commitment of the European Union and the Member States in favour of the crafts and small business sector; - To intensify the dialogue between the social and professional organizations at the European level as intermediaries between the European Union, the national organizations and business, and to encourage their coming together by type of entrepreneur (young people, women, etc.).

 TTL : Third European Conference of Crafts and Small Businesses - Employment through innovation

GEN : A training seminar on "Commercial exploitation of technology - the routes to market" will be held in Luxembourg, on 16 and 17 October 1997. The event is organized by TII, Technology Innovation Information, in cooperation with the Innovation Relay Centre for Luxembourg, Trier and Saarbrucken. The seminar is aimed at those involved in innovation support professions, and will provide both analytical and practical know-how in order to address the question, "How to exploit a technology/inventive concept/research finding?". The following topics will be covered in detail: - Intellectual property as valuable intangible assets; - Market estimates/research; - The role of strategic alliances (joint ventures, licensing, start-ups); - Early-stage finance for innovation; - Management of risk. The course will be of particular interest to: - Innovation Relay Centre staff; - Industrial liaison managers from universities and research institutes; - Research managers responsible for commercial/industrial development- Funding managers responsible for research; - Product/market development managers; - Regional development authorities with funding responsibilities; - Senior managers and directors of SMEs; - Lawyers/financiers active in technology-based economic development.

 TTL : Commercial exploitation of technology - Routes to market

GEN : TTI'98, the Fourth Biennial International Conference on Technology Transfer and Innovation in Small Firms, will take place in London, UK, from 6 to 8 July 1998. The conference is intended to encourage innovation in industry and commerce, in particular in small firms, by identifying good practice in innovation from around the world. Discussions will aim to identify factors of success in small firms, and to examine ways in which business support can be made more effective. The conference programme is directed primarily at practitioners, decision makers and others involved in the exploitation of new ideas in industry, academia and government, including staff from small firms or from organizations representing the interests of small firms. It will include key note presentations, selected papers, workshops, posters and open debate. Workshops will be organized on such themes as: - The small firm experience of technology transfer within the supplier chain; - Foresight and small firms; - People and proce: the lever and fulcrum for small firm advancement; - Adding international dimensions to future industrial leaders; - Financing innovation; - Techniques for management of innovation in European small firms.

 TTL : TTI'98 - Technology transfer and innovation in small firms

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