ECARE+ - European Communities Aeronautics REsearch +
Overview
Background & policy context:
ECARE+ was a Specific Support Action funded under the Aeronautics & Space priority of FP6. It followed up the ECARE project (2003-2005) and its goal was to capitalise on the first project and deliver better service to European aeronautical SMEs.
ECARE+ was the only bottom-up Specific Support Action in the Aeronautics field, with a twofold ambition:
- Better involve research-intensive aeronautical SMEs into EC funded research during the Seventh Framework Programme.
- Further establish the ECARE Group of local clusters as the voice of the European aeronautical SMEs.
Objectives:
ECARE+ aimed at structuring SME technological offer at European level. ECARE+ was based on a dynamic pan-European network of local Aeronautics clusters working together following a common methodology to establish a high quality database and provide project co-ordinators with a shortlist of research-intensive SMEs.
ECARE+ also supported specific measures for SMEs: mapping of European Aeronautical SMEs, development of dialogue between ECARE+ and the European aeronautical Regions and incitation to trans-regional partnerships between aeronautical clusters of different countries.
The objectives of the second project were to expand the ECARE group while playing a coordination role for the network, and supporting SME participation in the two first Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) aeronautics calls. The first objective has been reached during the life of the project, with some limitations due to the lack of visibility regarding the sustainability of the ECARE group in the future. After a difficult start on call 1, the second objective was fulfilled in the context of call 2, with five SMEs taken onboard by level 2 consortia as a direct result of ECARE+ activities.
Methodology:
The project method was derived from the first ECARE project, based on a multiplying model: first training the representatives of SME clusters and associations (or ECARE regional contact points), then using them as relays of information for their local SMEs during regional sessions. During the life of the project 30 members of the ECARE group organised 20 such sessions, involving more than 500 SMEs.
The methodology of the ECARE+ project was based on 5 main steps:
- Expansion of the ECARE group from 19 to 30 clusters;
- Training of Regional Contact Points on FP7 opportunities;
- Regional Sessions for SMEs on FP7 opportunities;
- Technological capability assessment of 350 SMEs;
- Pre-matching with large collaborative project proposals.
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