The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

F r o m R e s e a r c h t o E n t e r p r i s e The project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. In line with the Europe 2020 strategy and the objectives of the cohesion policy 2007-2013 of the European Union, project FREE has contributed the regional development of Central Europe. The project has mapped innovation-oriented systems, services and methodologies from Central Europe regions and the European Union. Based on the analysis good practices, pilot actions have been implemented to bridge researchers, entrepreneurs and policy makers. As a result of a transnational cooperation the main objective was to set up new instruments, actions and skills, facilitating the use of research results by business sector (especially SMEs) as well as to identify relationships and integration between the sphere of research, innovation promoters and potential users, in a transnational context. Specific purpose is to develop tangible instruments and human skills to foster dissemination of innovation into the business sector through a transnational framework adapted to regional dimensions. FREE was launched in November, 2008 with the participation of 7 partners from 5 regions from Central Europe. FREE partners are directly connected to local and regional actors involved in programming and implementing innovation policies, as they are R&D centres, regional innovation centres, university technology transfer offices and business incubators created by local governments and local authorities as well. The common mission is to develop and offer innovation-supporting systems and services. Par tners University of Debrecen, Region Észak-Alföld, Hungary Municipality of Velenje, Region Eastern Slovenia, Slovenia TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor d.o.o., Region Eastern Slovenia, Slovenia Centuria RIT, Region Emilia-Romagna, Italy Amitié, Region Emilia-Romagna, Italy Klimentovska PLC, Region Severozapad, Czech Repubic Multipurpose Union of Kecskemét and its Region Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw Centre for Technology Transfer, Region Dolnoslaskie, Poland (former partner)

A c t i v i t i e s R&D Yellow Pages research and innovation database R&D Yellow Pages is a Central-European Research and Innovation database. The database consists of three major sections: 1. Research organizations 2. Innovation mediators 3. Technologies and services offered by research organizations The R&D Yellow Pages service is available free of charge for all research organizations as well as for bodies dealing with Search options for research organizations: CERIF, a standard research information classification type of organization alphabetical list Search options for innovation mediators: type of activity alphabetical list Search options for technologies: CERIF, a standard research information classification type of research result/research service name of research organization simple word search fostering and facilitating innovation. The database already includes several hundred research bodies and we plan to increase the number of records. The database is available at www.researchdirectory.eu. Innovation systems and services guidebooks Innovation services and technology transfer support systems has been identified in order to understand different mechanisms and contexts allowing knowledge and R&D results to be transformed into new products, services and/ or innovative solutions. Special attention was given to instruments suitable for SMEs. The most suitable can be adapted by the partners. Our publications, the Innovation Systems Guidebook and the Innovation Services Guidebook have been distributed so that the introduced models and methods can be acquired by any organisations. Good practice: innovation services The Best Researcher Com petition TechnoCenter, the techno logy transfer office at the University of Maribor, intro duced the competition in 2006 and has been implementing it ever since. A public call is issued to all companies which collaborate with the University on R&D to award points to the researcher or researchers whom they work with. Researchers are graded, based on various criteria, for example: the availability of the researcher; the quality of problem solving: the innovativeness of solutions; respect for intellectual property and business secrecy; the researcher s initiative; the company s increased profitability; the integration of the researcher in the company s business. Each point is worth a certain amount of money and a prize fund is created from companies donations, and is then awarded to the researcher with the most points. Good practice: innovation systems The Emilia-Romagna High Techno logy Network The Emilia-Romagna High Technology Network (HTN) consists of industrial research Laboratories and Inno vation Centers organized in 6 tech nological thematic Platforms: Agri-food; Construction; Energy/Environment; ICT and Design; Life Sciences; Mechanics/Materials. The thematic Platforms gather the industrial research knowledge available in the region setting up medium and long-term technological development and research objectives and embracing the whole value chain, ensuring that knowledge generated by research is first converted into technologies and processes and then into marketable products and services. The Networks is organized within Technopoles, infrastructures located in 10 sites throughout the Emilia-Romagna regional territory and promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Regional Government in co-operation with universities, research centers and local authorities. The Network operates through the coordination and support services provided by ASTER. www.aster.it

Network of mediators of inno vation and training A transnational Network of Mediators of Innovation is being set up in order to foster a bi-directional process (R&D centres SMEs) of knowledge integration. The mediators are specialists who are capable of active research commercialization. Based on the innovation system and services guide books and multiple compe tences of the mediators training seminars are held in the participating regions. The general framework of the trainings is available in the Training Guide which been disseminated. The mediators of innovation will be active groups of experts appointed mostly by regional knowledge centres. Training Guide topics Academic Research and Industry Linkage Innovation Management Innovation Fund Raising Innovation Marketing Technology Assessment and Innovation Needs Legal Aspects of Technology Transfer Innovation Policies and Strategies Dissemination of project s results Innovation road shows allow live access to the results of the project in each region. University knowledge centres has been visited in order to promote the result of the project, to popularize innovation, to attract attention to the work of TTOs and to disseminate the knowledge map elaborated in the project. Good practice: Analysis of scientific-research subjects suitable for cooperation From this feasibility study it is clear that the selection of potential subjects of scientific research bodies, suitable to cooperate with universities and companies incubated in the Business Incubator or cooperating with Technology Transfer Office at the Science and technology Park Technopark Klimentov, is really rich. The advantage could be that most of these research and entrepreneurs bodies involved in STP Klimentov could took advantage of this innovative collaboration in their activities. Finally on a Technology Transfer Day to be held in Brussels the situation of technology transfer in Central Europe and the present and future innovation policies of the EU is reviewed. Moreover the results and main outputs of project FREE is presented giving a good point of departure to the round table discussion where experts will try to find new proposals and suggestions that can facilitate innovation and technology transfer. Good practices: Regional specific Technology Transfer Days in Central-Europe INNOVATION 2O10, Prague, Czech Republic, 30 November 3 December 2010 Klimentovská Company and project FREE were invited to the most important international event in the field of innovative entrepreneurship INNOVATION 2O10 a week of R&D and innovation in Czech Republic. The event was held from November 30 till December 3 2010 at various locations in Prague and was the largest concentrations of scientific research workers, SME s and entrepreneurs with a focus on innovative products, Science and technology parks and representatives of business incubators, representatives of Enterprise Network Europe Network, etc. Technology Transfer Day in Slovenia, Maribor, Slovenia 17 January 2011, Technology transfer and University s role in regional environment Meeting of Researchers and Entrepreneurs is annual event, organized by the TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor, Technology Transfer Office. Already recognized among researchers, business representatives and innovation support actors in the region, it offered good opportunity to incorporate findings and good practices from FREE in the program. Municipality of Velenje joined the event as coorganizer. The Best Researcher according to economy, the service presented in Innovation Services Guidelines, was the indisputable highlight of the event. Technology For Energy Ravenna, Italy, 18 Februray 2011 Centuria RIT and Amitié supported by the Regional Innovation Agency Aster and the Province of Ravenna organized a Technology Transfer day dedicated to energy saving and renewable energy sources, Technology For Energy. The event was organized in the framework of the national Energy Saving Day I will use less light, promoted by the public state hold broadcaster Radio 2. During the seminar, technical profiles were show-cased: laboratories, technologies and know-hows, etc. Regional Technology Transfer Days have been organised on regional relevant sectors to promote the matching among R&D results and SMEs application needs. As a specialised service offered to SMEs, innovation feasibility studies have been carried out on products, processes and services.

U n i v e r s i t y o f D e b r e c e n ( L e a d P a r t n e r ) M u n i c i p a l i t y o f V e l e n j e University of Debrecen is a rapidly developing The mission of the Technology Transfer Office of University Velenje is the fifth largest city in Slovenia in terms of population. development of the programs, basing on natural and knowledge center of the Region Észak-Alföld, of Debrecen is to facilitate the transfer of research results It is the economic, administrative, political, educational, cultural historical heritage and development of tourism in rural Hungary. The University s mission is to become achieved at the University into business and industry, as and commercial centre of the Savinjska-Mayors And Corporate area near the city a research university with entrepreneurship, to well as disseminate innovation culture among the citizens Services; Department of Works and Services; Department assuring and promoting education, health care and support innovation based on market needs and to of the University. of Social Services; Department of Economy and Finance; pharmacy services play a key role in the economic growth of the region. The Technology Transfer Office of the University supports innovative ideas, projects, protects the R&D results of the University and promotes them towards companies, while developing and maintaining a network with R&D actors in the region. of TTO Technology and project evaluation IP management Management of the knowledge map of University of Debrecen Licensing Incubation of spin-off companies Investment promotion in the R&D intensive sectors of the region Organizing innovation trainings, extending innovation culture Assisting the evaluation of innovation projects and research results. Disseminate innovation culture among the university citizens. R&D&I International cooperation Contact Person: Prof. László Mátyus E-mail: free-project@unideb.hu Tel: +36-52-518-640 Website: http://free.unideb.hu Department of Environment and Spatial Planning; Department of Housing; Internal Audit Services and Inspection Services. Current number of employees at Municipality is 100 people. Vision of development and growth of Municipality of Velenje until 2025: The Municipality of Velenje will be decorated with developed economy, based on the innovation of highly skilled professionals, particularly in the area of research, design and modern technologies which will be primarily environmentally and energy friendly. Within duties and interests as self-governing local community Municipality Velenje carries out administrative, professional and organizing duties in areas defined with law, municipal charter, decrees and local community acts. Municipality Velenje participates in preparation of local development plans and project councils for local programmes. Alongside matters of common concern, Municipality Velenje performs duties defined by national laws. regulatory resolution of matters of local common concern enabling conditions for economic development project management (planning and guiding project processes from start to finish) promoting social services, preschool care, primary care for children, families, materially deprived, disabled and elder people promoting research, cultural and society activities developing sport and recreation concern for air, soil, water resources, noise protection, refuse collection and disposal and other environmental protection activities Economic Education Culture Environment Energy efficiency Sport Tourism ICT Contact Person: Rok Matjaž E-mail: free@velenje.si Tel: + 386 3 8961 544 Website: www.velenje.si

T e c h n o C e n t e r a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M a r i b o r C e n t u r i a R I T R o m a g n a I n n o v a z i o n e Te c n o l o g i a TechnoCenter at the University of Maribor was established in 2005 as a Technology Transfer Office. Its mission is to provide services for promoting and supporting technology and knowledge transfer, thus contributing to national and especially regional economic development. TechnoCenter works as an interface between university research area, industry, state and other persons and institutions concerned. Key activties can be divided into three sections: Technology transfer and commercialization of innovations. Professional and administrative support for different forms of research collaboration (contracts, grants, and other initiatives) between sides mentioned above. Development of business and research partnership between University and organizations from private or public sector (spin-off companies, licensing, etc.). Supporting activities to the three main ones are: Marketing Prototype development Protection of intellectual property Establishment of spin-off companies Providing venture capital Organizing scientific conferences transfer of knowledge and new technologies to industry greater diversity of research activities and increased support for research at faculties creating innovation culture protection and management of intellectual property connecting industry and public research organizations in order to achieve greater synergy technology transfer, intellectual property management, innovation support, supporting regional develop ment, supporting innovation culture at the University of Maribor. Contact Person: Anton Habjanič, Ph.D E-mail: anton.habjanic@tehnocenter.si Tel: +386 2 235 53 65 Website: www.tehnocenter.si Centuria RIT Romagna Innovazione Tecnologia is a Consortium composed by over 60 Associates, including enterprises, Public Administrations, Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce and Banks. Centuria RIT is the Romagna Science and Technology Park, recognized as Innovation Centre by the Region Emilia-Romagna. The mission of Centuria RIT is to promote the Associates development and the growth of the whole area of Romagna through technological and organizing innovation, in particular in agrofood and manufacturing sectors. Centuria RIT creates a link between local enterprises, research institutions and funding agencies, promoting and managing technology transfer projects in collaboration with Universities and Research Centres. Centuria RIT also provides advanced services, information and assistance for the development of innovation to enterprises and local bodies: Newsletters Patent Monitoring Technology Transfer Organization of meetings and seminars Territory Marketing As regards the projects and consultancies: Project planning and management Research of funds and partners Management of intangibles assets Studies and analysis The activities of Centuria RIT focus on these technological needs: agro-food (Innovation of products and services, Packaging, Traceability systems, New ingredients, fortified food, technologies for food security, ICT technologies, Valorization of refuse and by-products mechatronics (New materials, Processes optimization, Control system and sensors, environment/energy (Biomasses, Agro energetic regional districts) Contact Person: Chiara Pari E-mail: c.pari@centuria-rit.com Tel: +39 0547 415080 Website: www.centuria-rit.com Assistance to start-up Business Planning

A m i t i é K l i m e n t o v s k á a. s. Amitié is an Italian research centre, focusing on education and training. It has a long and positive track record of working with local, regional and national authorities, including the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities. Amitié was created in 1991 as a sector-based University- Enterprise Partnership within the framework of the Comett Programme, with the objective to promote training activities in software and information technology. It has a wide experience in European collaboration in the framework of education and training, in co-ordinating trans-national working groups and disseminating and valorising research s outputs. Its activities mainly focus in: cultural sector, use of IT in education and training, social inclusion and support to local development. Since its creation, Amitié has promoted numerous European projects and it takes part in several European networks. Research in the field of new methodologies of learning and in the labour market Project Management Dissemination and promotion initiatives Pilot training activities The objective of Amitié is to stimulate the innovation process within the labour market and to promote education and training using new technologies in order to: encourage the qualification and the updating of skills for citizens and workers (lifelong learning) support the access of young people and adults to the labour market promote social inclusion fight digital divide support innovative actions within e-learning carry out researches to promote innovation of educational and training processes The main development areas of Amitié are the following: cultural heritage methodologies for education social policies territorial development services for SMEs Contact Person: Svenja Pokorny E-mail: spokorny@amitie.it Tel: +39 0516560414 The Klimentovská a.s. company was founded, apart from other things, also for the purpose of development, execution and subsequent management of regeneration of the former military barracks site on the 9th of April 2008. The Klimentovská a.s. as the Promoter is fully owned (100%) by the Municipality of Velká Hleďsebe as the Borrower. : Care for administration, regeneration, comprehensive deve lop ment and rendition of services in the territory of the Municipality of Velká Hleďsebe, as well as parts of the munucipality (cadastral area of Klimentov, cadastral area of Malá Hleďsebe and cadastral area of Velká Hleďsebe). : Initiation of an economic and social revival of the municipality and the region, developmental activities such as educational and training efforts, research activities, culture of housing, development of tourism and development of public and private services through an efficient use of the area of a former military site. Contribute to improve competitiveness of the investment environment in the economically weak region, establishment of prerequisites for creation of new jobs, and namely to a continuos sustainable development in the Czech Republic through regeneration of unused real estate. Construction of the buildings and infrastructure, necessary for the creation of Research, Science and Technology Park, including experimental and development laboratories, premises for the innovative, consulting and service-providing enterprises ( spin-off ). : Regeneration of the Military Site in the Municipality of Velká Hleďsebe, which will divide the site into four general areas for future use: business zone Technopark Klimentov housing services area: - commercial (a cinema, a theatre, an entertainment centre atc.) - social (education and training, medical services etc.) recreational greenery zone : Contact Person: RNDr. Vítězslav Padevět E-mail: info@klimentovska.cz Tel: +420 725 487 299, +420 354 423 103 Website: www.klimentovska.cz Website: www.amitie.it

Multipurpose Union of Kecskemét and its Region W r o c l a w U n i v e r s i t y o f Te c h n o l o g y W r o c l a w C e n t r e f o r Te c h n o l o g y Tr a n s f e r ( F o r m e r p a r t n e r ) The Multipurpose Union of Kecskemét and its Region (MUKR) was founded on the 30th of June, 2004, as a separate legal entity. The Union consists of 18 settlements, with a growing population of about 180.000 people, having a University College of 6000 students. Due to its favourable geographical location the area has become a target territory of industrial investments. According to this remarkable industrial development the MUKR has decided to create its Economy Development Group with 10 employees In the last decades the area of MUKR has flared to an important industrial centre, supported by the competences of Kecskemét University College. The development can be represented by international firms such as for example HILTI and the recent investment of the Daimler AG. To ensure organizational frame for the association and cooperation system of the participant settlements. Integration of the regional institutional system. Coordinated development of the region, preparation and implementation of development plans, programmes and competitions. Participation in cooperation projects. Raise a common fund to carry out development projects also in the fields of industry and technological innovation. Provide qualitative services mainly in the innovation management and analysis of marketing-economy. Technological innovation Market oriented research and development Technology and product innovation for suppliers Research on economy for SME networks and managing SME networks IT based economy development Development of IT-based service centers Multipurpose Union of Kecskemét and its Region Contact person: Lakó Sándor PhD E-mail: lako.sandor@aranyhomok.hu Tel: +36 30 2552744 Website: www.aranyhomok.hu WCTT is a self-financing, non-profit unit of Wroclaw University of Technology. It was established in 1995 as consequence of the Bridging the Gap Between University and Industry project implemented by the Wroclaw University of Technology, Stuttgart University and Brunel University in West London. Its mission is to enhance competitive advantage and effectiveness through innovations WCTT has been certified for ISO 9001:2000 compliance since 2004. National and international technology transfer Research and development programs of the European Union Consulting and training in technology and organization Innovative Entrepreneurship The funds for small and medium-sized enterprises Provide assistance in applying for participation in the 7 th EU Framework Programme and in the Structural Funds Projects dedicated to R&D. Raising the level of their knowledge in the field of commercialization of research results Creating a universal framework for education (training programs) in the area of quality management, as a continuum to enable the achievement of higher qualifications in this field for SMEs. WCTT operates as an intermediator between science and business, supporting both academic-based organizations and enterprises in many fields: promoting innovative technologies; finding, acquiring and implementing the right solutions from technology audits to the assistance in negotiating the agreements and legal advisory, assisting the organizations in access to various R&D programmes and sources of research financing and support in commercialization, finding verified and reliable research, business and technology partners. Wroclaw Center for Technology Transfer E-mail: wctt@wctt.pl Tel: +48 320 3318 Website: www.wctt.pl Develop common programmes in various rural areas. Promote and coordinate the development of the associated municipalities based on mutual interests.

http://free.unideb.hu free-project@unideb.hu