EU for Innovation – Improve the Innovative Ecosystem and Boost Start-Up Creation

Project Value 7,539,238.00 €

Project Status Completed

Sectors

Beneficiary

Implementing Partners

German Society for Development Cooperation (GIZ)

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

EU Contribution

6,600,000.00 €

Project Timeline

To improve the innovative ecosystem and boost start-up creation.

This project aimed to improve the innovative ecosystem and boost start-up creation in Albania by:

strengthening the capacity for innovation among the innovation ecosystem actors;
building linkages within the Albanian innovation ecosystem and internationally;
funding innovative start-ups and innovation support providers.

Capacity development for innovation management for start-ups;
Capacity development for selected (multi-locational) innovation support organisations;
Provision of regional/international internships for start-ups (in companies and innovation hubs), tailor made to their needs;
Demand-oriented capacity building for policy-makers in innovation policy;
Support to establishing a system of innovation support organisations;
Collaboration with diaspora (through grants, mentoring, technology transfer);
Facilitate access to international / regional networks for innovation support organisations;
Facilitate access to international / regional networks for start-ups;
Grants and capacity building for innovative start-ups;
Grants to innovation support organisations.

Strengthened capacity for innovation among the innovation system actors (start-ups, innovation support organisations and policy-makers);
Linkages built within the Albanian innovation system and internationally;
Innovative start-ups and innovation support organisations funded through the Challenge Fund.