What is an Innovation Voucher? The innovation voucher is a novel tool designed for SMEs to gain swift and hassle-free access to support in specific areas of need. It is a new and innovative funding scheme being tested by the public innovation agencies OSEO (FR), PtJ (DE), Innovation Norway (NO) and the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency (NDEA). The voucher allows construction service SMEs to access technical and business expertise, in support of their innovation projects.
How to obtain a voucher? The simplest and quickest funding scheme for SMEs in Europe: Day 1 Download and complete a 2-page application If needed, contact your innovation agency for support Submit application Day 14 Voucher granted or refused
Supporting
sustainable construction service innovation The GreenConServe project sets out to improve the innovation framework conditions for SMEs active in construction and facilities management that would like to modernise their service offer or launch new services. Through the project SMEs are offered innovation support through a voucher that can be used to obtain a one-to-one coaching session in the form of technical or business expertise from qualified consultants.
your sustainable construction service innovation!
Companies are invited to try out our vouchers and to provide feedback to make this support system even more business and SME-friendly. Business and technical innovation experts working in your local languages and who are linked to European as well as international networks are available for consultation. For more information go to www.europe-innova.eu/greenconserve
Day 15 Meet with your innovation expert
GreenConServe
Greening the construction sector Towards a value-adding service industry
Day 16 Start your coaching sessions For more information, check the website of GreenConServe:
Support
This European project is part of the European Innovation Platform for Knowledge Intensive Services (KIS-IP) that aspires to accelerate the take-up of services innovations.
www.europe-innova.eu/greenconserve/calls-for-proposals
This publication is financed under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) which aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises.
Is the innovation voucher for you? Are you a SME registered in France, Germany or Norway? Are you planning to develop, launch or market a service innovation in the sustainable construction sector?
Norway The call for Norwegian vouchers offering innovation support to service SMEs in the construction sector was launched in Spring 2010. The call is open continuously for 12 months. Voucher value: up to € 15.000
France
Contact: Tor MÜHLBRADT tor.muhlbradt@innovationnorway.no
The call for French vouchers offering innovation support to service SMEs in the construction sector was launched in Spring 2010. The call is open continuously for 12 months.
Would you like to access state-of-the-art technical and business expertise to enable you to launch or develop this new service, or to bring it faster to the market? Would you welcome external funding to support such activities? If your answer to the above questions is yes, then the innovation voucher is the right solution for you to help you prepare for your service innovative.
What are the benefits obtained through the voucher? SMEs can apply to receive funding to develop innovative services related to, for example:
Voucher value: up to € 15.000
The application of life-cycle costing methods to design, construction, exploitation and renovation;
Contact: Jacques GAUTRAY jacques.gautray@oseo.fr
The reduction of environmental and health impacts of buildings;
Germany A voucher scheme offering innovation support to service SMEs in the construction sector is currently being set up in Germany. It is expected to become available in 2011. Voucher value: to be announced Contact: Karen BÖHME k.boehme@fz-juelich.de
The improvement of energy efficiency in buildings and processes, etc. Two different levels of expertise can be purchased with the help of the innovation vouchers: T echnical expertise: such as feasibility assessments, compliance with codes and regulations; B usiness expertise: such as market, financial and managerial expertise.