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European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)
  • Call for proposals
  • Open

Boosting Competitiveness and Innovation Capacity of SMEs through creative partnerships and the use of new technologies - WORTH partnership project

Details

Status
Open
Reference
SMP-COSME-2024-WORTH
Publication date
Opening date
Deadline model
Single-stage
Deadline date
3 April 2025, 17:00 (CEST)

Description

General/Specific objective(s)

The general objective of this call is to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation of European design-intensive creative and lifestyle industries, particularly in sectors like fashion and home decoration. 

The WORTH Partnership Project supports transnational business partnerships between SMEs (e.g. manufacturers, crafters, tech-providers) on the one hand and designers or other creative professionals on the other. Throughout an incubation and acceleration process, these business partnerships work to develop innovative, design- and creativity-driven products, processes or services with high value-added helping them either embark on a sustainable business path or enhance their competitive position. 

In particular, the programme supports partnerships to: i) define and develop their business idea; ii) define their market positioning; iii) showcase their prototypes or proof of concept during relevant trade shows; iv) define their Intellectual Property Rights strategy; v) define their strategy to attract investors and to access markets.

Support to business partnerships will be provided through: direct financial support, tailor-made mentoring programmes (coaching and strategic advice tailored to meet the specific needs of the partnership), general training courses (e.g. marketing, business planning, IPR protection, etc.), as well as visibility and networking opportunities.   

Eligible activities

  • Matchmaking activities facilitating the establishment of partnerships to be supported;
  • Selection of partnerships for incubation programme;
  • Business and financial support to selected partnerships;
  • Knowledge Sharing and networking activities for selected partnerships, including annual events promoting creative entrepreneurship.

Eligible applicants

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium which complies with the following conditions:

  • Formed by minimum 3 and a maximum of 8 independent entities from a minimum of 3 different eligible countries;
  • At least one entity is a business support organisation  or legal entity with proven capacity of knowledge transfer to, and training of SMEs, such as university, training centre or research centre;
  • At least one entity is specialized in communication and dissemination.

Available budget

The estimated available call budget is EUR 4 500 000:

  • Topic 1: SMP-COSME-2024-WORTH-01 — Boosting Competitiveness and Innovation Capacity of SMEs through creative partnerships - WORTH partnership project - Fashion - EUR 2 250 000 
  • Topic 2:  SMP-COSME-2024-WORTH-02 Boosting Competitiveness and Innovation Capacity of SMEs through creative partnerships - WORTH partnership project - Home decoration - EUR 2 250 000

Number of projects to be funded: It is expected to fund 2 projects, 1 per topic.

Maximum project duration: Projects should normally range between 36 and 48 months.

Documents

  • 23 JANUARY 2025
WORTH III Guidelines for awarding financial support to third parties

Contact

Call FMB for Q&A

Name
Call FMB for Q&A
Email
EISMEA-SMP-COSME-ENQUIRIESatec [dot] europa [dot] eu