The objective of the project is to enhance the innovation management capacity of Estonian SMEs. The action is aimed at two kinds of SMEs - beneficiaries of the SME Instrument of Horizon and SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation. For beneficiaries of the SME Instrument, the service package (the Key Account Management service) consists of identifying weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the beneficiary; identifying suitable coaches (based on the assessment in the first step) to address the identified weaknesses and moderating the coach-client relationship; and accompanying the beneficiary through the SME Instrument project. The service packages outside the scope of the SME Instrument (the “Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME's” service) consist of carrying out a diagnostic audit of the selected SMEs; and developing and implementing a tailored action plan to improve the SME’s capacity to manage innovation processes. Within the current action, the ESTINNO-NET consortium aims to provide the 7-day service packages to at least 15 SMEs.

The objective of the project is to enhance the innovation management capacity of Estonian SMEs. The action is aimed at two kinds of SMEs - beneficiaries of the EIC pilot and SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation. For beneficiaries of the EIC pilot, the service package (the Key Account Management service) consists of identifying weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the beneficiary; identifying suitable coaches (based on the assessment in the first step) to address the identified weaknesses and moderating the coach-client relationship; and accompanying the beneficiary through the EIC pilot project. The service packages outside the scope of the SME Instrument (the “Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME's” service) consist of carrying out a diagnostic audit of the selected SMEs; and developing and implementing a tailored action plan to improve the SME’s capacity to manage innovation processes. Within the current action, the consortium aims to provide the service packages to 50 Estonian SMEs.

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE: Enriching the well-established EUREM European EnergyManager trainig program, making it available in new countries to allow more persons to become qualified/accredited experts or upgrade their knowledge and skills, and adding ancillary implementation support activities. Thereby contribute to increasing the quality of energy audit results, the probability of implementation of the recommendations, and ultimately the energy efficiency and competitiveness of the businesses. ACTIVITIES & OUTPUTS: 1) Enrich the training with: 4 new modules in e-learning format on mobility, Industry 4.0, energy audit standards and process, company energy culture, 1 enhanced module with stronger focus on financial topics, 1 new practice module working with the Energy Audit Support Tool to evaluate more complex measures in industry. Test the new training format in 6 countries, where EUREM is already established: AT, CZ, DE, ES, FI, GR. 2) Transfer the training to 6 new countries where it is difficult to establish without support for preparatory work; run the pilot courses and achieve national accreditation/recognition: AL, BA, EE, LV, RS, TR. 3) Develop and test add-on implementation support activities for trainees and other energy managers who need coaching/support beyond the training scope or want to practice more, eg. workshops on energy audits, on convincingly presenting energy measures to decision makers, follow-up on implementation of measures, networking/awareness raising activities including financial sector. 4) Conduct communication & dissemination activities including: • 6 good practice videos of participants' sustainable energy measures, • 2 conferences to enable exchange of experience of energy managers and auditors, financial sector representatives, trainers, and other experts, • 2 international EnergyManager Award competitions and national ones in new countries, • Press releases, classical and social media, newsletters, personal contacts, events.

<< Background >>This project results from the observed needs related to knowledge management (KM) in knowledge- intensive business services (KIBS) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). All the project partners have been examining or cooperating with KIBS SMEs, especially in the field of knowledge management and they have noticed the missing gaps in this area. Such companies should manage their knowledge very well, as they base their operations on it, however, when examined, they often have problems with the determination of how they manage their knowledge or with the provision of the definition what knowledge management is. According to the study carried out by the partner institutions among more than 220 KIBS SMEs, more than half of them did not have the knowledge on the concept and application of KM. Also, around half of them found the lack of educated staff in KM concept as an obstacle in implementing it. Therefore, there is a clear need to provide these companies with the necessary skills and competences in this field. This need has been identified by all the partners on the basis of their studies or cooperation and business contacts with such firms. KIBS firms are an important vehicle of innovation for all the other businesses, so their proper knowledge management may also contribute to the improvements in the situation of other companies and the whole economy in general.<< Objectives >>The main goal of the KNOWMAN project is to develop, test and launch Knowledge Pills ; an e-learning training module devoted to knowledge management (KM) in knowledge- intensive business services (KIBS) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With this project, there is a greater prospect of success for the target group to digitally conduct KM training sessions and workshops in a more innovative way through advanced interactive learning methods. Generally, the project addresses one main target group: KIBS SME owners/managers/employees.Apart from the e-learning module, the Interactive Guide (covering best practices, success factors, risks and innovative solutions) on KM in KIBS SMEs will be created.The European SME survey report; which covers more than 2,500 SMEs across Europe countries (France, Germany, Poland, Spain and others), has clearly emphasized that the major challenge faced by SMEs is digitalization. Thus, the project partly addresses the above challenge and fully provides the real needs of these target group, based on the studies conducted so far by the project partners. The introduction of Knowledge Pills in training module on KM contributes to digitalization in that KIBS SMEs are able to execute digital learning-training activities without any hustle; and also, the component of KM solidifies the resilience and competitiveness of SMEs to remain the driving force of the European economy. Extant knowledge highlights that KIBS SME owners/managers/employees often miss a basic understanding of knowledge management but cannot afford to fill this knowledge gap. The project aims to address this situation by providing several high-quality project results for KIBS SME managers/owners/employees. The project consortium consists of 4 universities (TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY from Estonia, GDANSK UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY from Poland, UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA from Italy and SCOALA NATIONALA DE STUDII POLITICE SIADMINISTRATIVE from Romania) and 2 business partners (4Experience company from Poland and ECCI The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from Estonia).The consortium partners have been carefully selected. The consortium itself has a diversified, multidimensional character which is correlated with the project goals. Moreover, it allows objective, reliable and directed testing of the project results. All the partners have high, complementary skills and competences that guarantee the achievement of synergies. The project is aimed to contribute to the quality improvement in knowledge management training dedicated to KIBS SME managers/owners/employees in all partner countries and beyond.<< Implementation >>Taking into account the project objectives and the planned results, the following project activities are planned:1.In the first step, on the basis of the vast experience of all the project partners in the field of KIBS SMES and knowledge management, the interactive guide for entrepreneurs and KIBS SME managers on KM will be created jointly by all the project partners. The revision of the guide with KIBS SMEs will help in adjusting it to the real needs of the target groups.2.In the second phase, Knowledge Pills, an e-learning module, which will encompass theoretical and practical aspects of KM will be created, tested and launched. The distinguishing feature of this e-learning module will be not only a unique training program (tailored to the needs of KIBS SMEs), but also its openness (free use by all the interested parties). The e-learning module will be based on the Moodle platform.The project and its results will be broadly disseminated through various means, adjusted to the target groups.<< Results >>The expected outcome of the project is that the target group will acquire digital skills in conducting training programme through the use of knowledge pills, by way of integrating knowledge management practices within their operations to facilitate digitalization and competitiveness. Long term impact on the local, regional, national and European level is the increase of competitiveness of the target group: KIBS SMEs owners/managers/employees. This will be achieved thanks to the increase of competences and skills in the field of running and managing KIBS SMEs for companies’ owners/managers/employees and by applying training in the areas of KM solutions in KIBS SMEs. Considering the overall remarks that this project proposal received previous years, it is worthwhile for the partners to amend the few shortcomings and re-strengthen the positives for resubmission. At the end of the project, the outcome of the project encompassing Knowledge Pills and Interactive Guide will continue to be used by all beneficiaries including the target groups in their training programmes.

<< Objectives >>Increasing permeability between vocational and higher education Recruiting universities for tasks of further education in climate and environmental protectionProviding excellently qualified entrepreneurs, managers and skilled workers and reducing the shortage of skilled workers to meet the challenges in climate and environmental protection Strengthening the productivity of SMEs through innovation support and R&D projectsPromoting cooperation between SMEs and colleges/universities<< Implementation >>Analyses economy, education and labor markets and qualification needsCreation of solution models for 4 project countries Development and implementation of Train the Trainer programDevelopment and implementation of 2 dual three-stage Bachelor's degree programs and 2 further trainings in climate and environmental protectionImplementation of R&D projects in SMEsQuality assurance for training measures and project implementationDissemination, transfer of results and implementation consultation<< Results >>Result report of the analyses of the economy, education and labor markets and qualification needs.Solution models for four project countriesComplete train-the-trainer programModule manuals with all documentation for two dual three-stage Bachelor's programs in climate and environmental protectionTwo further education programs in climate and environmental protectionR&D projects implemented in SMEsQuality manual and results reportsManual, result videos and broad regional transfer of results