EDI Seminar Paris April 26. – 27. 2010 ADVANCIA

1. EDI Seminar Paris April 26. – 27. 2010ADVANCIA The Conference in Brussels 2009 What did we learn? Project Manager Kirsten Møller

2. Why a Conference? • We wanted to gain the necessary practical and political support for our idea about EDI • Was only one activity amongst several • We wanted to be proactive instead of waiting for EU and our national systems

3. Background Our recognition of the need for • Strengthening European research and innovation, including strengthening collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions in Europe. • Promoting the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises to exploit existing knowledge and to contribute to the development of new knowledge to improve competitiveness in the global market. • Strengthening efforts to promote lifelong learning, including ensuring a workforce with the necessary skills, competences, functional flexibility and employability lifelong

4. Goals for the EDI-research network • To collect research-based knowledge on how small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe develop their innovative capacity through systematic employee-driven innovation and workplace learning; • To develop and establish a European research network for public and private entities on employee-driven innovation and workplace learning in small and medium-size enterprises in Europe; • To strengthen the collaboration between research communities and SMEs in the field of workplace learning and innovation in Europe • To develop the theoretical and practical foundation for a common European application to the EU’s 7th framework programme

5. Target Group • Politicians – National and European • Researchers • Officials from Employer’s Associations and SME Associations • Officials from Trade Unions • Officials from the EU-Commission • Practitioneers

6. Aim of the Conference • to present “State of the Art” of EDI in practice and in research • to discuss how we can: • Develop a new perspective on innovation in SMEs • See employee driven innovation and workplace learning as a growth strategy for SMEs • Coordinate and disseminate good research and practice regarding EDI in SMEs • Promote research programmes and policies that will enhance Employee Driven Innovation and Workplace Learning in SMEs in Europe

7. Considerations Target groups : Divergent roles and interests • Politicians and Social Partners :Difficult • to reach – very bussy people • to involve – too many agenda’s • to make them take a public stand on the issue • to surprise them – experience something new to remember • to make them remember and bring the information to colleagues • to make them open up for further contacts and involvement • Researchers : Mostly interested in research and academic discussion and not the political game

8. Design - structure • Lunch • Presentation of the EDI network • Presentation of concrete experiences - practise • Presentation of ”State of the art” within research • Sharing reflections in audience • Paneldiscussion. Europes competitive advantages. Questions for the politicians and administrators • Conclusions and visions to remember • Refreshment - socialising

9. Design - Principles • Twofold activities: Conference and Research seminar • Conference: Half day – easy to reach for target group - central • Wellknown external moderator/research centre • Presentation of speakers - Profiles • Short and few presentations – not too much ”researchy” • Direct involvement of participants during the conference • Time for reflection in the audience – active involvement • Visuel story telling – easier to remember • Full service – care – relaxation – networking posibilities • Second day activities for those with a special interest in research • Product – no heavy reports – easy to communicate • Follow up activities

10. What have we achieved so far? • 1. Meetings with representatives from EU- administration, associations, unions, ministries • 2. Letteres of interest from politicians and officials • 3.Contact with new groups of researchers • 4. Invitations to present our EDI network • 5. New recognition of the need for a broader view on innovation • 6. TRANSFER publication • 7. Anthology – common ambition formulated together • 8. EU-application ????? – have tried – are waiting

11. What have we learned? • Planning – Early involvement of keypersons • Time – Very time consuming • Target group – Shareholders - involvement • Presentation – Easy and Communicative • Content – Still a way to go – What is EDI? • Report – was a surprise • Follow up – meetings with shareholders