Competence centre programme

Viimati uuendatud (10. DECEMBER_SHORT 2009 06:56) Kirjutanud Raido 26. NOVEMBER_SHORT 2008 08:08

Estonian Competence Centre Programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The budget of the programme in the EU budget period 2007-2013 is 1 billion kroons, to which 30-35% additional contribution from the project partners will be added.

Competence Centres are structured, long term RTDI collaborations in strategic important areas between academia, industry and the public sector. Centres aim to bridge the gap between scientific and economic innovation by providing a collective environment for academics, industry and other innovation actors and creating sufficient critical mass. Centres are involved in multiple activities: pooling of knowledge, creation of new knowledge by performing different types of research, training and dissemination of knowledge and networking.

Objectives of supporting the competence centres

The general objective is the increase of international competitiveness with the help of strengthening the cooperation between the entrepreneurs and research establishments according to the Estonian strategy of research and development activities and innovation of 2007-2013 "Knowledge-based Estonia".

The sub-objectives are the following:

• To gather and develop the critical amount of competence and resource at the top level resulting from the common vision of entrepreneurs and research establishments.
• To increase the quality and volume of applied research directed to the creating of economic added value.
• To increase the number of research and development employees oriented on the needs of entrepreneurship and their mobility between the entrepreneurs and research establishments.
• To strengthen the planning of long-term strategic development activities and management capability in the companies and research establishments.

Competence Centres in Estonia

Information on the European competence centres: http://www.competence-research-centres.eu/

Conducted studies

While preparing the Estonian Competence Centre Programme Technopolis Group conducted a preliminary study analyses the opportunities of the Estonian Innovation System focusing on the weaknesses and strengths of the science-industry relationship. The task of the research was to examine how competence centres could stimulate the knowledge and technology transfer between academia and the private sector in Estonia. The study answers the question, that the establishment of competence centres in Estonia would intensify technological development and innovation, and therefore contribute to the competitiveness of Estonian enterprises and industry through more intensive technological development and innovation.
Competence Centre Programme Estonia Feasibility Study

Technopolis Group also conducted the Mid-term Evaluation of the Competence Centre Programme to  assess the rationale, appropriateness and objectives of the Competence Centre programme and to make recommendations for the next funding period.
Mid-Term Evaluation of the Competence Centre Programme

Contact

Contact persons of the Estonian Competence Programme:

Harri Faiman
Coordinator of the Programme
Phone: (+372) 627 9407
E-mail: E-mail on kaitstud spämmirobotite eest, Javascript peab olema sisse lülitatud

Anari Lilleoja
Business Consultant
Phone: (+372) 627 9735
E-mail: E-mail on kaitstud spämmirobotite eest, Javascript peab olema sisse lülitatud