Regional competence centre development programme

Last Updated (Tuesday, 03 January 2012 06:59) Written by Jürg Samel Wednesday, 29 July 2009 10:17

Support measure for developing regional competence centres

The objective of the measure is to consolidate competence and resource related to research and development institutions in specific fields outside the counties of Harju and Tartu and, by setting up competence centres, to use it for developing knowledge industries.

The measure for setting up competence centres is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The programme's budget in the EU budgeting period 2007-2013 is MEUR 19, plus the applicant's own funding.
The programme is closed, calls for proposals for the period 2007-2013 have been finished.

Who can apply for the grant?

Applicants: research and development institutions (in particular, university colleges, research institutes), educational establishments (applied higher education institutions, vocational schools), local business associations and business representative organizations (e.g., regional representations of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry), foundations and non-profit organizations.

Applying is based on consortiums (i.e., requires an existing cooperation agreement when applying between the abovementioned partners or setting up a foundation/non-profit organization).

How to apply for the grant?

Grants available within the measure are applied for in phases. The preliminary phase and precondition for applying for the grant is the submission of project concepts. As a result, the parties whose project concept has been assessed as successful will, in the upcoming phases, be able to apply for a grant for carrying out supporting activities and a grant for carrying out core activities.

The deadline of submission of the project concepts was 29 October 2009. 18 concepts were submitted, out of which 9 concepts were approved by Enterprise Estonia.
There are no more open calls for submission of project concepts planned.
Grants for supporting activities were given in 2010 to all 9 appliers, qualified int the preliminary phase of project concepts.
The first deadline of submission projects for carrying out core activities was 14 January 2011, 7 projects were submitted. Enterprise Estonia approved following projects: "Small Graft Engineering Competence Centre" and "Competence Centre for Knowledge-based Health Goods and Natural Products".
The second deadline of submission of the projects for core activities was 15 September 2011, 7 porjects were submitted. Enterprise Estonia approved following projects: "Centre of Competence on Wood Processing and Furniture Manufacturing", "Rakvere Smart House Competence Centre", "Centre of Excellence in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation" and "Oil Shale Competence Centre".
There are no more calls for submissions fot the projects core activities planned.

How large is the grant?

The maximum applicable amount of a support activity grant is 31 956 EUR per applicant, and the grant rate is 85% of eligible costs.

The maximum applicable amount of a core activity grant is 3 195 583 EUR per application, and the normal grant rate is 85%, except when a grant can be considered regional support or support for research and development and innovation.

What is a competence centre?

Competence centres are associations that are based on innovation-based cooperation between the representatives of local authorities, research and development institutions and businesses. Their main objective is to offer support for regional business development through qualified specialists, different research and training, as well as physical environment. Programmes that have been successfully implemented for years are, at present, being continued in Finland (The Centres of Expertise Programme), Sweden (Vinnväxt Programme), Norway (Norwegian Centers of Expertise Programme) and elsewhere in Europe. Significant results have been achieved as a result of implementing the programmes.

In terms of potential future development, regional competence centres should become so-called regional innovation hotbeds, managing and mediating know-how between key organizations, for the benefit of regional development.

Within the framework of the measure for developing competence centres, the composition of the competence centre must simultaneously include at least:

• one local government unit from the region;
• one research and development institution or educational establishment from the region;
• one regional association of businesses or regional office of the representation of businessmen or at least two relevant regional businesses.

In addition to the required partners, the composition of the centre may also include the following organizations:

• associations of local government units of the county;
• county-based development centres;
• county governments;
• businesses operating in the given field of competence;
• foundations;
• non-profit organizations.

For managing a competence centre and for coordinating activities, organizations will set up either a respective foundation or non-profit organization. Instead of a foundation or a non-profit organization, project partners may agree in writing to set up a joint and permanent management body.

The requirements for the composition of a competence centre must be ensured and met in every stage of the application process, including the stage for submitting project concepts.

In the context of the measure, the role of businesses is to identify priorities and guide the strategic planning of competence centres. In the later development of competence centres, businesses will become so-called clients who are able to use the competence centre's know-how and corresponding services.

Additional information:
Anna Samarüütel
Business Consultant of Innovation Division
Enterprise Estonia
Phone +372 627 9758, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it