A Coordinated Approach to Promoting Innovation by SMEs

This result presents a coordinated concept for promoting innovation and technology transfer in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It defines how innovation support, further vocational training, and dual Bachelor’s degree programs can be systematically combined to strengthen SMEs’ innovation capacity.

The concept focuses on practice-oriented, demand-driven innovation, close cooperation between SMEs, universities, chambers, and training providers, and the integration of R&D activities into education and qualification processes. It provides a structured framework that enables SMEs to access innovation support in a realistic, scalable, and sustainable way.

Evaluation Concept and Report for Innovation Support and R&D Projects in SMEs

This result documents the evaluation concept, implementation, and results of innovation support and R&D projects carried out in SMEs within the BA&VET project. It summarises how innovation funding and academic support were applied in practice and assessed.

The report covers R&D projects implemented in SMEs across partner countries, evaluates their relevance, feasibility, and impact, and analyses the added value for companies, students, and institutions. The results confirm that work-based learning combined with targeted innovation support is an effective approach to strengthen SMEs’ competitiveness and innovation performance and provides a solid basis for future implementation and scaling.