STIPP

SME Transition Innovation Partner Projects

With three EU member states, three languages, and five regions, the Meuse-Rhine region is often referred to by the European Union as a microcosm. Over 280,000 companies, the majority of which are SMEs, form the backbone of the regional economy. However,cross-border collaborations between SMEs are far from self-evident.

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany share several societal challenges within the region, such as an aging population and increasing pressure on healthcare workers (“healthy citizens”). Additionally, the need for a circular and low-emission economy (“green society”) and the growing digitalization of services and processes (“industrial transition”) are high on the agenda for all three countries.

Addressingthese challenges requires innovation:new products, processes, and services that alleviate pressure on healthcare, reduce the carbon footprint, and make industries more efficient through digital technologies. SMEs play a key role in this due to their market and technical expertise. Collaboration, however, is equally essential.

Funding for these innovations often comes from national or regional programs with a focus on local impact. Cross-border funding and SME collaboration can strengthen partnerships and accelerate innovation.

Objective

The STIPP project addresses this challenge by actively supporting companies with the goal of fostering cross-border collaborations between innovative SMEs in the Meuse-Rhine region.

These activities focus on raising awareness, identifying opportunities for SMEs, and scouting innovators. Additionally, the project partners promote matchmaking between SMEs and support the development of high-quality innovation projects eligible for funding.

In doing so, the project partners directly respond to the needs of SMEs, driving promising innovations and collaboration on the designated societal themes while enhancing their competitiveness.