EIT and EEN join forces to strengthen the European innovation ecosystem

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) have signed their first joint guidelines for cooperation. The agreement, drawn up by the EIT and the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs (DG GROW), provides the framework for Europe-wide, strategic coordination, including pilot activities for 2025.

A new framework for two established EU instruments

Until now, the EEN and the EIT have primarily collaborated on a pragmatic and project-by-project basis. While the EEN acts as a central point of contact for SMEs and supports international partnerships, the EIT‘s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) provide in-depth, specialised innovation ecosystems.

The new guidelines establish a structured approach that combines the complementary strengths of both networks. The aim is to make it easier EU funding more accessible to companies and open up better opportunities for them to scale up, innovate, and expand internationally.

With the preparations now complete, the implementation phase is set to begin, representing a decisive step in the deepened the cooperation between the EEN and the EIT.

Two strong European networks pulling together

• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN):
  With around 600 partner organisations spanning 57 countries, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world's largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Funded under the Internal Market Programme, it offers advice, training and international partner matching.
   
• European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT):
  The EIT, funded by Horizon Europe, brings together ten thematic Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and a network of over 2,420 partners, making it Europe's largest innovation ecosystem.

The guidelines promote systematic cooperation, joint processes and clearly defined interfaces in order to provide stakeholders with seamless, complementary services. The regional expansion of the EIT network and closer links between the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) services are key areas of focus.

Common goals for greater impact

The cooperation pursues several strategic goals:

• Strengthening the innovative capacity of European companies, especially SMEs.
• Efficient knowledge transfer between start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, research institutions, and industries.
• Improved scaling, technology adoption, and market access, supported by the strong regional presence of both networks.
• Contributing to sustainable growth and competitiveness in Europe.

Key areas of cooperation

The most important areas of cooperation include establishing clear communication channels between local Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offices and the services offered by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community, such as programmes for start-up support, growth acceleration, and innovation promotion. This makes it easier for SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups to access services such as coaching, mentoring, financing opportunities, technology development and partner matching.

At the same time, the EEN acts as a gateway to the educational and innovative offerings of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the EU and in candidate countries, including those in the Western Balkans.

Knowledge exchange and joint initiatives

The cooperation includes, among other things:

• Exchange of market and innovation information
• Joint training and capacity building on innovation management, IP, scaling strategies, and internationalisation.
• Joint public relations, newsletters, reports, and events.
• Enhanced digital communication and storytelling..

Towards a stronger European innovation area

Through this new strategic partnership, the EIT and the EEN are working together to address the innovation gap identified in EU strategies. The guidelines establish a robust framework for the efficient exploitation of synergies, the pooling of resources, and the creation of better opportunities for European companies, especially SMEs, in global competition.

Further information can be found here.

Companies from Bavaria seeking support for innovation and internationalisation activities can contact BayFOR's SME advisory service at any time.

Contact at BayFOR

Natalia García Mozo
Head of Unit SME Advisory Services
Phone: +49 89 9901888-171
Email: mozo@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org