Problem to solve: Considerable number of innovation support programmes were developed in the EU that tackled SME (for example SME Instrument, COSME…), however very few programmes and methodologies were developed for specific challenges that face small and micro companies (SMC). This fact is especially relevant for all three project partners’ regions, which have all well over national averages of micro and small companies: 93,7 % in Primorsko-notranjska region (Slovenia), more that 95% in Puglia region (Italy) and 96,4% in Malaga region (Spain). Micro and small companies (much more than middle and large sized companies) are critically bound to the traditional ways of doing business and lack competences needed for modern successful innovative entrepreneurship. One of the reasons for that is also lack of competences and available methodologies of innovation support agencies to tackle this specific problem. General objective of the project: The general objective of the project is to engage in peer learning activities between three project partners to raise our competences for empowerment of small and micro companies’ for innovative entrepreneurship - for transition from production-oriented mentality to scouting for opportunities on global market and creating value for customers. In addition to that, we will disseminate project results across EU. Specific objectives for the project: - Transfer from traditional “I offer what I do” to advanced scouting of “opportunity on the market” - Bottom-up work with entrepreneurs, methodologies for ideas creation, innovation management Inclusion of partners for realisation of ideas, value added chain, micro clustering - Lean approach, market feed-back and use of IT tools - Advanced financial instruments - Internationalisation of business - Implementation of three pilot projects - Preparation of best practice materials and spill-over effects

<< Objectives >>The main objective of the MIGRANTS IN BUSINESS (MIB) project is to offer innovative and high quality training for migrants in the subject of business support and entrepreneurship, thus contributing to enhancement of migrants' opportunities for self-employment and integration in new economic and societal environment they enter. Within the project the partners will strengthen the individual competences of business consultants as well as their organizational competences for working with migrants.<< Implementation >>The partnership will analyse migrants profiles and needs in three participating regions, research the existing good practices in business support for migrants in all participating regions as well as in wider area of EU and based on that prepare a training and training guideliness for business consultants that will be working with migrants in the future. Three live partnership meetings will be organized in addition to several virtual ones, with the aim of successful coordination and evaluation.<< Results >>The MIB project will result in training and training guideliness for enhancement of competences of business consultants to offer business support for migrants. The acquired MIB training will be offered within the participating organizations for supporting migrants who are interested in entrepreneurship. This will be offered also after the completion of the project, complementing the three partners existing programs.

"The BIC for SME project builds on the previously completed project, the POWER2INNO (Horizon 2020, 2016-2017), which included peer learning activities between three innovation agencies, directed to raising their competences for empowerment of small and micro companies’ for innovative entrepreneurship. The POWER2INNO project produced knowledge on building a regional system for enhancement of innovation with small and micro companies, one of the key elements being training and education for entrepreneurs. However, the limitations of the POWER2INNO project prevented the partners from preparing concrete usable learning tools for such education. The Erasmus+ programme provided a perfect opportunity to address this. The main objective of the BIC for SME project was to upgrade the POWER2INNO project results by providing concrete tools for the education and training of entrepreneurs for innovative entrepreneurship, training of educational staff of the participating organizations and pilot training for selected individual entrepreneurs. All of these were delivered and in this way, the BIC for SME project contributes to quality improvements of C-VET programs in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship, to innovation excellence of small and micro entrepreneurs as well as to internationalization at the level of participating organizations, through enhanced transnational cooperation between different training providers. Thus, the project: • Contributes to improving the quality and access to vocational education and training in the area of small and micro innovation entrepreneurship; • Contributes to improving knowledge and skills of employees in relevant consulting and training organizations; • Contributes to improving the employability and professional success of learners interested in this subject. Points which were validated from feedback of participants during piloting and dissemination events.BIC for SME has helped to reduce the gap between market demand (people seeking training for small and micro entrepreneurship) and training system supply, which is currently predominantly oriented towards small and middle-sized enterprises / entrepreneurship. This has been addressed as follows: • Development of training program for ""BIC for SME"" for trainers; • Development of training program for small and micro entrepreneurs interested in boosting their innovation activity; • Development of relevant learning materials. The project included five competent partners from five different countries: lead by the WESTBIC, an innovation agency from Ireland, there are also the RDA Green Karst, Centre for Innovation and Development from Slovenia, BIC Euronova from Spain, Tecnopolis technology park from Italy and the EFMD international network which operates actively in the area of training and education in a wide area of EU and beyond. All partners have experience in Erasmus+ as well as other EU-supported programs, such as transnational programs, HORIZON 2020, COSME, FP7 etc., and this experience was vital in helping to guide the BIC for SME project through the challenges posed by Covid 19. All partners are also experienced in entrepreneurial training and other services. They participate in several professional networks and have the potential to ensure the widespread use of the project's result, in accordance with the dissemination plan which was also developed during the project, along with other management and coordination tools, through which successful and quality implementation took place.Some key outcomes to note (and which will be further addressed post project completion) are:BIC Euronova signed an agreement with Fundación Andalucía Emprende (a public regional institution dealing with entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Andalucía region (8 million inhabitants), comprising almost 1000 consultants / mentors, 263 centres, and almost 15,000 entrepreneurs / start-ups), to collaborated on testing of training material and to adapting the BIC for SME tools and materials as a standard for their daily work.In Ireland, WestBIC are to have follow up discussions with Dr. Brían Ó Donnchadha, at the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, on the possible use of the BIC for SME outputs while follow-up discussion is also to happen with GMIT Letterfrack on possible use of the outputs as part of the Enterprise Development module on the Furniture Design and Furniture and Wood Technology programmes. Galway Technology Centre will also consider the Diagnostic Tool as a client management tool.Beyond a European context, EFMD will use the modules in short online trainings called Cápsulas de gestion. The trainings cover various aspects of management aiming to develop entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity in Cuban universities accompanying the modernisation of the Cuban economy. This will act as a model for EFMD to implement a similar format of the programme in other European countries."

<< Background >>The COVID-19 pandemic has provided many employees with new and more flexible options on where, when and how they work. But it has also challenged their physical and mental health at work. While digital technology brings innumerable and irreplaceable benefits to our working life, with huge increases in productivity, competitiveness and innovation. On the other hand, digital overload is an increasing problem: with risks of unrestricted use of technology in the workplace, including the negative effects of multitasking and the “always on” culture on individuals’ professional performance and their mental health. Moreover, given the rapid pace of change, the vast majority of managers have had to navigate this transition without prior training.While legislation surrounding employee wellbeing is coming down the pipeline for many EU members states, SMEs are still slow to respond. Studies find that while 23 per cent of firms with 5,000-plus staff increased provision of mental health initiatives, barely one in ten of SMEs have.For partners, the project responds to our common need to introduce new training on digital wellbeing management for employees in SMEs. As SME’s and business VET providers, not only are partners in need of this skills upgrade themselves, but the project will also help maintain and grow their client base. An additional need is to continue to innovate in the provision of soft skills relating to digitisation of work. In a strategic sense, the project responds to our need to align our training with wider European trends and policy: Digi WorkWell focus on employee digital wellbeing (emphasis on wellbeing) will allow us to integrate transversal digital and social competences which have come to the fore in the last year.For SME managers, Digi WorkWell responds to their challenge of needing the knowledge and skills to manage the accelerated digitisation of work life and the impact this has on employee wellbeing. Digi WorkWell will meet their needs by providing flexible, modular training that is tailored specifically to the context in which they work and size of their company. Firstly, the Business Case for Employee Digital Wellbeing (R1) will address any awareness deficits of the scale and significance of the topic, and build foundational knowledge. Secondly, Digital Wellbeing Check-up (R2) will enable SME managers to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in relation to employee digital wellbeing. Finally, Digital Wellbeing training programme (R3) responds to the needs of general or HR managers who want both training and accompaniment, a more hands-on approach to skills building inhouse.In addition, the project meets the needs of SME employees, who are the indirect participants and beneficiaries of the project. The project addresses their need and right for a healthy working environment with competent management of their productivity and care of their wellbeing.Finally, business education providers who are a trusted source of training for SMEs also face similar challenges to partners in the pace of change and lack of up-to-date training curricula and content, Digi Work Well will provide free to access, open education resources that they can integrate into current learning provision in the short term<< Objectives >>The overall objective of Digi WorkWell is to design, develop and implement a new approach to train SME managers and entrepreneurship teachers across Europe in digital wellbeing. The end result will be to improve the managers own digital competences, while also boosting the capacity of their organisation to manage this digital working life transition and prevent fails in output from their workforce.In doing so, we will contribute to two important European priorities. The first is adapting VET to labour market needs. This will be achieved by the creation of a brand-new curriculum and content that purposefully balances digital productivity with digital wellbeing. In addition, VET will adapt by enabling more wider access to training, since existing training is geared towards multinational corporations and is of limited relevance to the very large group of SME managers.We will make an important contribution to the way in which VET, and the wider business world, are approaching the Digital Transformation. Digital skills are often equated with technical skills and much VET has focussed on the introduction of tools and technology. However, Digi WorkWell will empower VET providers and the SMEs they serve to navigate the digital transformation from a perspective of soft or managerial skills, especially digital responsibility and wellbeing. All of our outputs will develop managers’ ability to create working environments and supervisory practices that recognise and mitigate the risks of intensive digital work, ushering in the new skills required for the next stage of digital transformation in SMEs. This achievement is also linked to the skills outlined in Dig Comp 2.0 relating to protecting health and wellbeing.The project will also make a significant impact on the skills and professional capacities of our main target group, SME managers. As a result of using the Digi WorkWell resources and training, owner-managers, HR managers, line managers and team leaders will overcome attitudinal barriers to change, acquire entirely new knowledge and skills, blending technical competence with the communication and intercultural skills. Ultimately, they will be better equipped to act as leaders of the digital transition in their companies, pushing forward a working environment that that favours employee wellbeing and productivity.In addition, the project will spur achievements for partners and other providers of business training: business trainers, advisors, consultants and coaches will be able to accelerate the introduction of this much needed training in a way that is wholly accessible and relevant to their SME clients. Training providers integrating these services will consolidate their position as future-oriented organisations ready to contribute to 21st century skills development in the face of a rapidly changing context. Partners will have a first-mover advantage and more in-depth knowledge of the field and younger staff will gain important experience in transnational collaborative work.Finally, we expect that the project will spur stakeholders from the VET sector, and wider business education providers even in higher education, to reflect on how training must continually be updated to reflect labour market needs and avoid growing skills mismatches. They will be more conscious of the role of teaching non-technical skills related to the growing use of digital technology and more committed to including digital wellbeing in business and entrepreneurship curricula moving forwards.<< Implementation >>The project involves three key educational resources (results), as well as the horizontal activities required for successful project execution: management, impact evaluation, promotion and sustainability.RESULTS DEVELOPMENT The resources will be developed sequentially. Each Result is designed to be used as an independent resource. However, they also work together: partners build on the content developed in previous resources and managers can find complementary knowledge and skills development in all three.R1: The Business Case for Employee Digital Wellbeing is first in our work plan to enable partners to quickly engage in knowledge sharing and peer learning, thus consolidating the working relationships and laying the groundwork for the following outputs.R2: Digital Wellbeing Check-up is our second major activity. This involves developing a self-assessment tool and report which will be used directly by self-employed owner/managers, but will also be made available in a separate version for education and training advisers.R3: Digital Wellbeing Training Programme: A complete set of learning objectives, training materials and case studies providing Owner/Managers AND those working in a business advisory capacity with in-company programme.All resources will be open, published online and free to download and use, and where possible editable formats will be used to enable materials to be adapted and transferred for further use.ROUTE TO IMPACTBuilt around the resources are the transversal and project management activities which enable us to ensure their introduction, effectiveness and longevity as resources for use in European education projects.Impact Evaluation is a key component to ensure results are translated into impact. In the first partner we will carry out an impact+ workshop session to strengthen our understanding of the theory of change implicit in the project.Testing and implementation with the target groups is also essential. 15 managers will take part in the Participants’ Forum, and 90 SME managers and 42 trainers will use the resources. Their experience will contribute to improvements before the final materials and promotion, as well as playing an important role in our multiplier events, wider promotion and sustainability strategy as “ambassadors” to the project’s impact.In terms of promotion, our dissemination strategy is robust and will be supported by four multiplier events are scheduled for month 23/24. They will ensure that our outputs are promoted, and that stakeholders actively understand their value and are motivated to introduce them in their own organisations.<< Results >>This project is based on the premise that to make the most of digital technology, employees must be allowed to work in an environment which supports balanced digital use. SME managers must therefore develop the competences that enable them to shape company culture and practice in a way that encourages productive use of technology without compromising employee wellbeing.To achieve this, we will create training resources that can be used directly by SME managers to improve their competences in the field of digital wellbeing. We will also enable them to be used by business educators and trainers who can help us reach the largest number of SME managers possible.Therefore our project focuses on the creation of three new training resources:R1: The Business Case for Employee Digital Wellbeing - A high profile report with supporting materials such as an Executive Summary, animated video explainers, case studies and infographics that highlights the trend of digital wellbeing and raise awareness about the importance of introducing training for Managers in managing and supporting employees digital usage while working.R2: Digital Wellbeing Check Up. An interactive online tool enabling SME managers to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in relation to employee digital wellbeing and to determine a suitable pathway through the subsequent learning materials (R2/R3). A separate version will be designed for business advisors so they can apply the tool with a larger number of clients.R3: Digital Wellbeing Training Programme. A complete set of learning objectives, training materials and case studies providing SME Managers and business advisors to gain the knowledge, skills and self-belief required to implement an in-company programme to prevent employee digital overload.During the project, the following outcomes will be achieved:- 90 SME managers (15 per partner) will use/test R1: Business Case and once launched it will be downloaded more than 600 times during the project lifespan. They will acquire new knowledge and be motivated to continue to develop their new digital wellbeing skills.-42 Business Advisors (7 per partner) will help us test the Pathway Creator with 120 SME managers. Advisors will be ready to mainstream this tool and SMEs will improve understanding of digital wellbeing/overload. A further 300 Advisors and SMEs will use the Pathway Creator during the project lifespan.-24 business advisors will use the Training Programme with 72 SMEs (4 each) during the project. A further 240 individuals, mostly business advisors but also stakeholders and SME managers, will download and use all or part of the OERs during the project lifespan. They will increase their knowledge of digital wellbeing and improve their entrepreneurial competences needed to lead change in this field.As a result of the above, the project will make a significant contribution to updating the provision of VET in the business sector so as to better reflect the real life needs of small businesses and the people that work in them. - Partners and VET organizations will have more relevant, high quality training products that are free to use - SME general managers and HR managers will develop skills needed for 21st management, helping them thrive in the post-pandemic context and navigate the challenges of increased digitalization. - Employees will benefit from improved working conditions, with effective management and a work culture that enables mental and physical wellbeing. The project will also generate useful results for partners: they will use the project to develop the digital wellbeing skills of their own staff in both pedagogic terms and in a practical way. Staff will gain a very pragmatic understanding of how teach broader, non-technical digital competences. They will be the first to introduce the training model into their educational programmes and staff will have a competitive advantage in the field given their level of specialist expertise.