Project: SME Knowledge Accelerator

The project contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the SME sector, with a special focus on micro-companies. The need stems from difficult access to finance and the low absorption of EU funds, identified as one of the biggest constraints for SMEs in Macedonia. The project foresees measures and activities that will enable micro-companies (1–9 employees) to be competitive on the market through better absorption of EU funds.

The project is implemented by the Foundation for Local Development and IT Development – Gevgelija, in partnership with the Women’s Organization of Štip, and financed by the European Union under EuropeAid/138-495/ID/ACT/MK.

Duration: 24 months.

Overall objective: To establish a sustainable and efficient SME Knowledge Accelerator to build SMEs’ capacities for more effective use of EU funds.

Planned activities:

• Coordination among project partners
• Identification and engagement of relevant experts and trainers
• Development of the Knowledge Accelerator concept
• Public information and an open call for SMEs to participate
• Establishment of an official skills- and knowledge-building programme for using EU funds
• Delivery of knowledge-sharing trainings
• A 4-module training package (each module a two-day workshop) for at least 80 companies
• On-the-job mentoring for selected companies that complete the full package, resulting in project proposals ready for submission
• Newsletters and Facebook updates with information on available funds; regular information flow
• Raising public awareness and motivating SMEs to use available EU funds
• International conference to promote successful SME cases supported by various EU funds
• Promotion of success stories via social media and other communication channels

Expected results:

• A sustainable SME Knowledge Accelerator established as a platform to strengthen SMEs and increase the uptake of EU funds
• At least 80 companies successfully complete the full training package (with focus on project preparation and available financing)
• At least 30 companies prepare and submit project proposals to various EU funds.