Experimental innovation policy for SMEs: Findings and recommendations (2022 edition)

This report presents the context and set-up of 13 projects financed under the Action “Support to design and running of randomised control trials (RCTs)” under the Horizon 2020 Work Programme.

Through these projects, European innovation agencies engaged in policy experimentation and used RCTs to evaluate their support schemes, for testing their overall impact or optimising the design of targeted support to SMEs. For instance, some of the projects include a feasibility study of new support, others seek to optimise programme delivery.

While some projects tested interventions for building SMEs’ innovation capabilities or related to the provision of finance to SMEs, others aimed at inspiring SMEs to develop new innovations or new technologies.

The report brings together key findings from each project and the challenges encountered as the innovation agencies designed and implemented their experiments. It also shares recommendations for innovation agencies wishing to undertake a similar approach in the future.

This edition of the report (originally published in October 2021) includes updates until October 2022.