The main objective of the action is improving the innovation management capacity of two SME target groups: (1) Beneficiaries of the SME Instrument by provision of the specialised Key Account Management services, and (2) SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation through the targeted Enhancing the innovation management services. The proposed action will implement 65 seven-day service packages during the pilot action in 2015-2016.

Main objective of the action is improving the innovation management capacity of two SME target groups: (1) Beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot by provision of the specialised Key Account Management services, and (2) SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation through the targeted Enhancing the innovation management services.

The understanding and implementation of robots and AI (Artificial Intelligence) into the workplace is becoming an increasingly important aspect of economic growth in Europe. In order to take advantage of the technological advances SME Managers need the appropriate tools (including skills and competencies) to evaluate the value of automation and how to integrate robots and AI into the workforce.SME Managers need to consider a range of strategic factors to integrate next-generation robots into their overall strategy. They need to re-think workflows - introducing autonomous units that can think and interact with a wider ecosystem requires a re-evaluation of workplace structure. They need to consider social factors - the introduction of robots requires an understanding of social context and how these they interact and communicate.The specific aim of the Project will be to develop a series of training and support tools for SME Managers to enable them to assess the value of robots to their business development and sustainability and then effectively introduce them. These tools will include a best practice guide, self-assessment tools and an information exchange platform.The results of this project will be: •Benchmarking: The project will need to include some desk based work initially to cover the field i.e. literature detailing examples of the introduction robotics/AI in SMEs in Europe. Analytical activities: The project will undertake a Europe-wide survey to determine the issues faced by SME Managers when considering the introduction of robots/AI into their organisation and make recommendations as to what strategies they need to adopt to gain the best advantage from their introduction - Robots/AI Introduction in SMEs: A European Analysis•The results of the benchmarking and Europeans survey will be developed into a Best Practice Guide for SME Managers. The issues addressed will include (i) the initial financial impact on the business, (ii) the impact on the existing workforce, (iii) the impact on productivity and identify good practice and other identified issues - Robots and AI Introduction: A Guide for SME Managers, incorporating Self-Assessment Tools•Information Exchange Platform: To develop the technical architecture for the creation of an Information Exchange Platform that SME Managers can use to discuss issues of interest with other SMEs and where the Analysis Review Report, interactive self-assessment tools, Best Practice Guide will reside - Robots and AI in the Workplace Information Exchange PlatformThe overall impact of the Project will be an effective and viable way of managing the growing need for information and support of SME in the area of the introduction of new age technologies into their business.Considering short, medium and long term impacts, the project aims at providing the opportunity to develop and foster the interest in the introduction of “New Age Technologies” and offer the opportunity to SME Managers to take appropriate action with a view to assisting their decision making.Once the benefits of using the project outputs are realized, and embraced by SMEs, the overall impact will be to enable SMEs to effectively, and efficiently, introduce robots/AI into the workplace with a view to increase productively and make them more competitive.It is expected that over 800 participants, SMEs, SME support agencies, Enterprise Agencies and training institutions and individuals, will directly and indirectly benefit from involvement with the project.

Main objective of the action is improving the innovation management capacity of two SME target groups: (1) Beneficiaries of the SME Instrument by provision of the specialised Key Account Management services, and (2) SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation through the targeted Enhancing the innovation management services. The proposed action will implement 54 seven-day service packages during the pilot action in 2017-2018.

<< Background >>EU regulations have established a climate recovery path which is addressed from the market with circular economy strategies. As such, a new Circular Economy Action Plan part of the EU Green Deal, has been launched for a cleaner and more competitive Europe (a need which has intensified due to COVID-19). It focuses on sectors with a higher potential for circularity, such as plastics.Around 25 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced each year and recycling does not even reach a third of it and reducing its production and use is a long-term action. The revaluation of plastics offers a third way to tackle the plastic waste challenge with lower CO2 emissions than recycling.Revaluation considers plastic waste as an asset, which can be capitalized through creativity and invention capacity, i.e., not only using plastic waste discarded products (or its parts) in a new product with a different function (called repurpose) but creates added value through a new product or feature that can be monetized. In this setting, SMEs are key for a circular economy transformation and turn their plastic waste into value. The trends not only in regulations, mentioned before, but also the more environmentally conscious behaviour of consumers, creates a perfect breeding ground for those SMEs that are able to seize the opportunities this offers. Those with a solid circularity approach stand to gain. The way an SME manages its waste is part of the equation and being able to go beyond mere recycling and actually create value from waste, can give them a competitive edge. However, SMEs and in particular the smaller ones, do not have the in-house knowledge, experts, or resources of larger companies, nor can they afford on many occasions the costs of external consultancy. Their lack of know-how impedes them to implement any sort of green processes (e.g., certification) or to be more competitive and take part in the market’s circular transition. Thus, a need for more “green professionals” in the market is pointed out.There is a clear lack of professionals capable of initiating plastic revaluation, thus, current and future professionals need to achieve the circular skills demanded for such revaluation processes.To keep up with the demands of SMEs and the labour market, VET institutions need to adapt their training offer and respond to market and environmental needs. They need to understand plastic revaluation and its related processes and get updated knowledge and practices on how to apply co-creation and co-design approaches to plastic revaluation. This requires a learning process for them as well.<< Objectives >>PlasticValue fills the aforementioned challenges and gaps, with the final goal of preparing current and future professionals in particular those in innovation, production or transformation related areas, for making the turn-around, revalue their plastic waste (using co-creation & co-design approaches) and take full advantage of the opportunities it offers. As such, the project focuses not only on assisting the SMEs to become more circular, but also on offering VET bodies an updated learning programme which addresses circular economy challenges.We focus on professionals active in innovation, production and transformation-related areas, but also consider SME managers for a greater impact. Wider SME staff will also benefit from the awareness raising activities to ease the transition while specific guidelines will be designed to assist SMEs on the transformation and consolidate circular economy principles.The blended learning methodology designed for the programme will facilitate a work-based learning approach which will benefit participants on their learning process.In addition, PlasticValue will support (C-)VET them by providing a ready to use and validated learning programme, with complementary guidelines on how to consolidate it within the initial (intermediate and higher level) VET curricula.Specific objectives are:1) Develop a validated learning programme which offers a combination of innovative and green sectoral skills to achieve plastic waste revaluation using innovative co-creation and co-design approaches.2) Implement a validation strategy, which integrates different profiles from businesses and C-VET (teachers and learners) providing a work-based learning approach.3) Create forward-looking guidelines to support (C-)VET organizations in adapting their training offer and creating new curricula, related to plastic revaluation, in line with the professional’s and market’s needs, and enhancing green competences. 4) Create a digital space to share plastic revaluation best practices, inspiring and motivating future and current professionals to become agents of environmental change.5) Enable a new VET profile in the field of plastic waste revaluation with a strong circular skillset and be competitive to upfront labour market changes.This is how PlasticValue trains the professionals of the future on innovative green skills, addresses the SME challenges with regards to plastic waste and upgrades (C-)VET education and training to meet market needs.<< Implementation >>The project is designed in 4 Project Results and 10 Multiplier Events. To establish a solid base for the project, PR1 “Co-creation & co-design practices for plastic revaluation” will undertake a case studies analysis for plastic revaluation, and the definition of the competence framework and the blended learning approach to be implemented.PR2 “(On-line) learning programme and platform implementation” will carry out the technical development of the platform, the development of the learning content and a methodology to assess participants’ skills.PR3 “PlasticValue support materials, methods and tools” has a more interactive and practical approach. It will conduct pilot activities which are aimed to involve targeted participants in the validation of the PlasticValue learning programme developed, including the content, the methods and tools and the platform created. An improved final version of the learning programme will be delivered at the end together with a success-stories showcase section. Finally, PR4 “Insights and experiences for stakeholders” will focus on the development of 4 specific guidelines based on the project outcomes and participant’s results addressed to the projects main target and stakeholders: SMEs, (C-)VET organizations, business hubs and public administrations. The participation is varied regarding profile and number throughout the project depending on the activity. The pilots, which are divided in 3 types of testing, internal, on-line and on-site, will reach a total of 200 participants. In addition, more than 250 participants will be involved in the multiplier events.<< Results >>Current and future professionals will acquire a set of skills and competences that allow them to analyse the plastic waste generated by their organization in any stage of provision, production, transformation and/or delivery and develop new uses, products or services; as well as to create and participate in multi-disciplinary teams which co-create and co-design (prototypes of) new product and services to re-use and revalue the plastic waste. In a setting in which the reduction of the environmental impact across the whole value chain is considered a key competence, these professionals acquire a set of green skills which, pivotal in the circular transition of the European SMEs. This increases their employability and enhances their career development opportunities on the labour market. SMEs, through the revaluation of their plastic waste, can:• Reduce their provision costs (if the waste can be used as input for the production, transformation or delivery process).• Generate a new product or service which can be offered to their clients, being it businesses further down the value chain, or being it the final consumer.• Reduce the costs related to waste management, as (part of) their plastic waste is re-valued within the company's processes.• Enhance their corporate social responsibility either through the reduction of plastic waste “thrown” into society and the environment.• Increase their competitiveness and prestige as a company contributing to reducing the plastic waste problem and contribute to environmental sustainability. (C-)VET organisations can easily adopt the PlasticValue learning programme and platform and embed it into their regular offer, either as a full stand-along training or adapting it and integrating it into their already existing courses. This will allow them to adapt their activities to the market needs and provide their learners with a highly relevant circular skillset. It will enhance their attractiveness, competitiveness and increase the number of (interested) learners. Furthermore, cycles/studies in fields related to production, manufacturing, waste management and innovation offered in VET, and also HE institutions, can use the PlasticValue programme to adapt their existing curricula or create a new one. As the innovative approach and new field of plastic revaluation are not yet addressed in regular curricula, it provides an opportunity for the “early adopters” to stand out with regards to other educational institutions (and make them more attractive), while enhancing their students’ professional profile.