The InnovImp proposal is designed to provide in-depth innovation management support services to SMEs based in the Maltese Islands due to an absence of such affordable assistance in the market. The proposal also outlines how beneficiaries of the H2020 SME Instrument will receive specific support by the Enterprise Europe Network through the supported coaching assignments addressing innovation weaknesses. The service portfolio outlined in the InnovImp proposal being funded under H2020, totally complements the other actions being funded under the COSME programme and the proposal ensures that the right synergies will be created to result in the desired impact particularly by removing the innovation management inefficiencies of the client SME. For instance, whereas under COSME new innovation opportunities through partnering may arise, the new services funded under this H2020 call shall enhance the innovation management performance of the enterprise. In this way making their innovation processes more effective and efficient or, specifically for the beneficiaries of SME instrument identifies barriers to might hinder the SME to realise economic impact from its supported project. InnovImp foresees the use of dedicated assessment tools to gauge gaps and weaknesses in the client's innovation process, and these will be based on the latest CEN definition of an innovation management system. The InnovImp proposal supports and endorses the objectives outlined in the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises [COSME] and Horizon2020 [H2020] programmes which both anticipate new and enhanced support mechanisms to help European SMEs. Moreover the delivery of such services through the only Enterprise Europe Network in the Maltese Islands strengthens the relevance of this work programme since the Malta Network enjoys both an embedded position in the local advisory eco-system and significant proximity to the targeted client base.

This proposal addresses the growth-oriented business support services that will result in improved competitiveness and access to markets for EU enterprise. These services are as stipulated by the H2020 Adhoc Consultation call issued by the European Commission and will be implemented throughout 2020-2021 by the Network in Malta, in full synergy and complementarity with the other work packages supported by the relevant and concurrent COSME call for the Enterprise Europe Network. The MELIITA 4 proposal is to support the smart growth of the Maltese SMEs by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research development and innovation, develop innovative projects with strong European or international potential, and to contribute to a better and more efficient connection of stakeholders and players along the innovation chain. By combining the actions under this H2020 programme with the support being offered under COSME, the Network will be best positioned to offer both business and innovation support along the entire value chain. The MELIITA 4 proposal namely aims to: • Enhance innovation management capacity and identify weaknesses, thus rendering more efficient the full innovation process of Micro and SMEs, irrelevant of benefitting from the EIC Pilot, and to help potentially good ideas effectively reach the market. • Strengthen innovation capacity and to ensure Maltese beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot receive the most appropriate support services based on identified weaknesses in their innovation capacities and so encourage the successful exploitation of their innovation project and to induce sustainable growth beyond the programme period, and • Create a more innovative, competitive business community on a national basis.

The objective behind the MELIITA 3 proposal is to support the smart growth of Maltese SMEs by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development and innovation and to contribute to a better and more efficient connection of stakeholders and players along the innovation chain. By combining the actions under this Horizon2020 programme with the support being offered under COSME, the Network will be best positioned to offer both business and innovation support along the entire value chain. Services are thus being provided to clients in the wider context of, and in line with, the Europe 2020 strategy. There are two specific objectives which the Malta consortium will aim to achieve by end 2019, namely: ● To ensure that key SME beneficiaries of the Horizon2020 programme are supported efficiently and effectively so that their full potential can be exploited; and ● To ensure that the innovation management capacity of Maltese micro and SME clients is enhanced. In order to achieve the first objective, the consortium will commit to assisting beneficiaries of funding schemes like SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation, and Future and Emerging Technologies Open through Key Account Management [KAM] services. Specialised Network personnel will be deployed to facilitate coaching services to such clients following the assessment of coaching needs and identification of suitable coaches. The second main objective will be attained through the deployment of Network services to assess the innovation management capacity of pre-identified clients. The activity under this work package is planned to help SMEs become aware of, and address, the main deficiencies in their innovation management systems since this is perceived as a potential barrier to the creation of economic impact from innovation activities.

EuroNanoForum 2017 conference (ENF 2017) will take place on 21-23 June 2017 in Malta, under the auspices of the Maltese presidency of the European Union. It is organised in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. European competitiveness and jobs depend on strengthening European manufacturing capabilities by providing essential technology building blocks in the form of high value-added products and their manufacturing processes in strategic European value chains. The aim of the conference is to contribute to these efforts of strengthening European competitiveness and supporting the renewal of its manufacturing industries, by the aid of nano- and microtechnologies and advanced materials. ENF2017 will review the status of European technology development in nanotechnology and advanced materials industries, discussing the latest progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and their contribution to innovation in manufacturing across all industrial sectors. In addition, framework conditions like education, standardisation, regulations, IPR and safety issues, as well as entrepreneurship and industrial policy will be discussed. The program also features sessions on finance and funding through European and National programs, in particular Horizon 2020, smart specialisation and public-private partnership initiatives. The conference builds on the agendas set by previous conferences and will also review the first activities launched under H2020 and provide feedback for the coming calls. The EuroNanoForum biannual series of conferences has grown since 2003 into the most significant European forum in its field for discussions amongst scientists, industrialists and policy makers, offering vast opportunities for networking with key decision makers.

This proposal addresses the growth-oriented business support services that will result in improved competitiveness and access to markets for EU enterprise. These services are as stipulated by the H2020 Consultation call for EEN H2020 services recently issued by the European Commission and will be implemented throughout 2017-2018 by the Network's consortium in Malta, in full synergy and complementarity with the other work packages supported by the relevant and concurrent COSME call for Enterprise Europe Network services. The objective behind the MELIITA 2 proposal is to support the smart growth of the Maltese SMEs by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in research, development and innovation and to contribute to a better and more efficient connection of stakeholders and players along the innovation chain. By combining the actions under this H2020 programme with the support being offered under COSME, the Network will be best positioned to offer both business and innovation support along the entire value chain. Services are thus being provided to clients in the wider contest of, and in line with, the Europe 2020 strategy. The MELIITA 2 proposal namely aims to: • Enhance innovation management capacity, thus rendering more efficient the full innovation process of Micro and SMEs, irrelevant of benefitting from the SME Instrument, and to help potentially good ideas effectively reach the market. • Strengthen innovation capacity and to ensure Maltese beneficiaries of the SME Instrument receive the most appropriate support services based on identified weaknesses in their innovation capacities and so encourage the successful exploitation of their innovation project and to induce sustainable growth beyond the programme period, and most importantly, • Create a more innovative, competitive business community.