Improving the enabling environment and public awareness for innovation in the South-Est-european food sector hrough transaltional collaboration

Project aims at building the capacity of institutions supporting innovation in the food sector and promoting public awareness on benefits of innovation, making the sectoral innovation easier through transnational cooperation of the national food technology platforms and related institutions. Although food industry has specific importance in SEE economies, the level of innovation in the region is not satisfactory, partly due to the non-favourable environment and the lack of society´s support. Barriers of innovation will be exploited by focus groups with institutions in 9 countries. Capacity building tools for improving governance (national innovation strategies, operating industry innovation panels, best practice guides, ICT solutions) and tools for increasing public awareness (communication campaigns, virtual forums) will be developed for the support institutions. Train the trainers courses on food chain management, using ICT based solutions in the food sector and knowledge transfer will be provided for the key staff and a service manual developed for innovation supporting services. Study tours will be organised mainly for non-EU participants. Tools will be implemented. A SEE forum will be established for transnational collaboration, which is intended to be maintained after the end of the project. Transnational collaboration will enhance innovation in SEE by exchange of experience, integration of knowledge.