Technical assistance for the implementation of activities to support the collaborative platform within the NEXT project - funded by the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme IPA Adriatic 2007-2013

In line with the tender specification, the NEXT project aims at creating a collaborative platform supporting the innovation and the technology transfer in the Adriatic countries. By carrying out the different activities expected, the project aims at:

• creating a collaborative platform characterized by both material and virtual services which will enable the integration of those research centers, enterprises and researchers belonging to the Adriatic area in an organized and well-framed knowledge system, promoting the innovation transfer from producers to users;

• improving the ranking of research centers in the international market not only in terms of visibility  and access to knowledge, but also in terms of accreditation and capacity towards the financial community and, more generally, towards all those involved in the technology transfer process;

• supporting the learnings and know how exchange process through the qualification of the collaborative platform as a service and a framework of reference for the research and innovation governance of the Adriatic area;

• developing the competitiveness of the innovation actors in the Adriatic area by participating as core of a global network of knwledge production.

In particular, the provided technical assistance works thanks to its three components:

1.Communication: communication activities and dissemination will aim not only at giving visibility, in the areas involved, at the project and the opportunities provided by the IPA Adriatic Programme, but also at making people be aware of the opportunities and benefits provided by the NEXT collaborative platform;

2.Technical support in activatingand managing the NEXT platform and managing the services provided by NEXT platform to research centers and enterprises in the Adriatic-Ionic macro region;

3.Actions designed for promoting investment opportunities, with the aim of simplifying the match demand with the supply of technological and organizational innovations by increasing the competitiveness of local SMEs, and promoting the heritage of knowledge developed within the local specialized centers (Universities, research centers, etc.).