1 TEMA Napoli WORKSHOP How to support efficiently SMEs How to build a sustainable cluster Eric KORCHIA (CCIMP) Naples October 5, 2012

2 TEMA Project The TEMA project has as its final aim to encourage Environmental Technologies-based SMEs to surpass the regional dimension and to develop more internationalised activities. Highlight of 2 TEMA objectives :  Supporting SMEs from 5 MED areas in internationalisation Fostering the creation of a environmental technology cluster in the MED area

3 * What are the SME’s needs ? Support for internationalisation Opportunities of technological collaboration or market cooperation What are the TEMA solutions ? Pilot action (diagnosis export) Workshop (B2B and private finance meeting) + Join a cluster collaborative platform SMEs needs / TEMA solutions

4 * What are the clusters needs ? Inter-clustering Providing to their members support for internationalisation Detection of future members * What are the TEMA solutions ? collaborative platform TEMA Cluster + Workshop (B2B, N2N and private financial meeting) Pilot action (diagnosis export) CLUSTERS needs / TEMA solutions

5 Methodology to support SMEs Interview and evaluation of the companies through a questionnaire (each SMEs interviewed are recorded into ETMED Cluster Database) Selection of the ET-SMES with the highest potential of internationalization through a strict ranking and, for some partners, evaluation by a committee of experts Elaboration of a summary about the competitive position and the potential of internationalization with individual advices for these ET-SMES Offer of an individual expert support in internationalization to the selected ET-SMES

6 Global results of supporting actions · 58 pre-checked ET-SMEs (45 expected) in 5 MED areas : Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain and France 22 supported ET-SMEs (20 expected) in 5 MED areas : Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain and France

7 Structuring of the economy into clusters/enterprises networks To tackle structural weakness, SMEs must organize themselves into networks in order to share among themselves externalized capacities Different labels/kinds of network : competitive clusters, clusters, networks, industry associations,... Whatever the label, networking is a development factor ! Towards the creation of a new network

8 Cluster approach for internationalisation - Partnering Small sized enterprises often do not have the capacity to have an export department The involvement of the General Manager often leads to difficulty handling follow-ups of executed export actions To facilitate the follow-up and recurrence of these actions, a cluster approach should be implemented. These partnerships allow meetings to be organized and actions implemented. Towards the creation of a new network

9 Example of clustering approach : the International Network of Water SMEs (I-NOWS) European countries have developed know-how in the management, distribution, utilization of water for varied usages and treatment of the resource Access to safe water and to sanitation is a human right and water constitutes a local public asset that must be managed in a sustainable manner. TEMA project, with its specific objective to create a Green Tech Euro-Mediterranean cluster dedicated to SME, was a perfect match to integrate an Euro-Mediterranean component into an international cluster. TEMA built an Euro-Mediterranean cluster of water SMEs and mobilized these mediterranean networks (such as ASCAME, OCEMO, RMEI) aiming to promote exchanges between the water sector SMEs of the MED area. Towards the creation of a new network

10 The network goals are the following :  Create a network between existing clusters of water enterprises, help the emergence of such clusters and encourage water SMEs to join  Encourage industrial partnerships between water SMEs from different countries,  Promote the development of joint ventures,  Strengthen the skills of existing SMEs  Promote the dissemination and appropriation of innovation, the setting-up of process of R&D collaboration and skill transfer, Implementation of a new network

11 Phase 1 - Initialization  Identification of clusters/ water industry associations / SMEs  Meeting with clusters, associations Different meetings were organized to meet interested clusters and introduce the project. During a TEMA project workshop in Faro, Portugal, the project was introduced to all participants. Following this workshop several water clusters were identified in the TEMA project’s regions.  Mobilization of institutional and financial partners to support the development of the new cluster  Collection of SMEs and cluster’s needs to define the main objectives of the new network and its operating process (reflection on its own governance, search of financial support...)  The set-up of a web platform to share ideas; identified specific actions to implement and keep memory of the discussions Methodology to build a cluster

12 Phase 2 - Launching  Presence in a main sector event: 6th World Water Forum in Marseille (France) Presence in the event through a dedicated booth “Global network of water SME’s” under the commercial exhibition and organization of essential activities during week: BtoB meetings, sites visits in the region…  Organization of a dedicated workshop during the World Water Forum week with clusters, SME’s, institutional partners to get the first exchanges underway and to develop the network charter in order to develop a clear and shared vision of the network and its governance.  Elaboration of administrative documents (statutes, charter)  Official launching of the new network during the 6 th world water forum. Signature of the charter with all partners involved (Water clusters, associations, Chamber of commerce and Industry …) signed by different countries: France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Israel, Ivory coast, Tchad, Egypt, Chili, Colombia, Russia, … Actions and activities carried out for a network creation

13 Phase 3 - Ensuring efficiency and continuity of the network Setting up of governance structure  Organisation of annual meeting  Development of training actions and support for SME accompanying networks  Set-up of networking aid tools  An overview of innovative technologies is planned in order to build a panorama of innovative technologies.  Support to SME creation between different worldwide regions. Actions and activities carried out for a network creation

14 In few words... The European project TEMA, made under the second call for projects MED funded by the European Union, supports international businesses made by GREEN TECH SMEs in the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean area. As such, TEMA has developed the Euro-Mediterranean branch of the International Network of Water SMEs (I-NOWs) which is located in Med areas, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Russia and the Middle East. Among TEMA partners CCI Marseille-Provence, University of Algarve, CCI Heraklion became members of I-NOWS. Moreover, CCI Heraklion initiated the creation of a Cretan network of water SMEs, which became an active member of I-NOWs. Mediterranean networks (such as ASCAME, OCEMO, RMEI) help to promote I- NOWS between clusters and SMEs all over the Mediterranean basin. If you are interested by TEMA or by the opportunity to join this initiative, you are invited to contact :

15 TEMA Project Leader : ICTP-CNR Maurizio AVELLA TEMA French Partner CCIMP Eric KORCHIA TEMA Water Cluster I-NOWS Francois-Xavier IMBERT (General Manager) Christian LAPLAUD (President) CONTACTS