"Central & Eastern European (CEE) SMEs towards RES" - Action Plan for stimulating research and innovation in SMEs from CEE Countries in the renewable energy field

Duration: 2005 – 2008 ● Client: European Commission (FP6) ● WIP Role: Market uptake, Policy development

RESCUE had the objective to mobilise Central and Eastern European (CEE) SMEs to more R&D intensive activities helping them to overcome obstacles which impede integration efforts, such as language barriers, unfamiliarity with modern R&D project organisation and effective networking capabilities.

In particular, the RESCUE project had the aim to:

• support the competitiveness of CEE SMEs by both coordinating and improving access to strategic information, economic and technological intelligence tools, high quality research and technical services;
• promote transnational SMEs cooperation;
• encourage research and innovation activities in the CEE SMEs operating in the renewable energy industry through identification of SME needs and current technology trends;
• enhance the readiness of CEE SMEs to participate in emerging and future European RTD activities and programmes by providing tailor-made information, assistance and coaching, following their specific needs;
• facilitate exchange of experience and lessons learned regarding participation in European RTD activities.

To monitor the European Scenario WIP helped to build a structured database including information of the national and FP research projects and proposals (objectives and partners) as well as to update the database. Other activities of WIP were the support and contribution in awareness events, assistance in SMEs trainings, the identification of CEEC competencies in RET and the presentation of regional research/innovation competencies during its regular conferences, EU PV Conference and EU Biomass Conference.

The RESCUE project was supported by the European Commission in the FP7 Programme.