multipliers' event, sofia, ndk, 31 may 2006 1 twinning project strengthening the capacity of...

Multipliers' Event, Sofia, NDK, 31 May 2006 1

Twinning Project Strengthening the Capacity of the MoEE to manage Operational Programme “Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy” under Structural Funds

Twinning Code BG/03/IB/FI/03

The Role of Intermediates and Multipliers in the Awareness and

Information Campaign

Michael Gericke, Senior Consultant




In order to understand the concept of

MoEE, we have to distinguish between the following groups of actors:

• Stakeholders

• Multipliers (or Intermediates)

• Beneficiaries




Definition:

Stakeholders

are persons or institutions with an interest in or affected by the OP Competitiveness.

In principle, every project should consult as wide a range of stakeholders as possible to ensure that project activities will meet real

SME demands.

On programme level, stakeholders are mainly national level institutions.




Definition:

Multipliers

are persons or institutions being in a position to support MA (MoEE) and IB (BSMEPA) in spreading messages and

information about:

•Structural Funds as such,

•Operational Programme (OP) in particular,

•programme contents (operations) and

•conditions of implementation.




Definition:

Beneficiaries

(in the context of aid schemes) are public or private firms or

supporting institutions carrying out an individual action and

receiving public aid.




OP Competitiveness particularly aims at strengthening the sector of

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Why are SMEs so important for Europe‘s economy and why do they need specific

promotion activities?




Most of EU‘s enterprises are small:




Yet, they are the „job engine“ within the community…




…and they are responsible for the biggest part of economic turnover:




But when it comes to innovation, SMEs do not have very much to contribute – not even in so-called „well-developed“ Member States.




So, SMEs really deserve and need to be in the focus of economic as well as

employment policies!

But:

SMEs are difficult customers!




SMEs in general face similar problems:

• many of them are so busy that they don‘t have the time (and don‘t have capacities) to develop a strategy for middle and long term progress (be it business or HRD)

• therefore, they are in need of external help…

• …but they don‘t know or don‘t recognise that need




Moreover:

• if SMEs realise the need to change, they are not able to find „tailor-made“ support due to a lack of skilled and experiences providers (Bulgaria!)

and

• should they find suitable support, they often cannot afford it.




MoEE can offer hundreds of millions of BGN via the OP Competitiveness.

The programme bears big chances for SMEs to improve their performance and raise competitiveness on national and international markets.

But how can we approach them?




The following problems have to be overcome:

1. Implementation will not start before next spring (2007).

2. If SMEs have problems now, they have to be tackled this year.

3. Yet, if SMEs intend to participate, they have to prepare themselves properly.

4. Therefore, they need first information now and use the time until application period.




Every campaign in relation to SMEs therefore has to use intermediates or multipliers and follow a two-step strategy:

1. Raising awareness about the opportunities provided by EU funds – thereby producing the consciousness of a demand as well as a request for in depth information

2. Distributing concrete information – thereby encouraging them to apply for funds




Moreover:

MoEE has to plan an Awareness and Information Campaign that aims not only at SMEs but also at some other target groups.


O

P

C

O

M

P

E

T

I

T

I

V

E

N

E

S

S

General Public

M

o

E

E

B

S

M

E

P

Aother NGOs

VET Providers

Consultants

SMEs in general

News

Research

Universities

Banks/Investment

Quality/Innovation

Energy Sector

Tourism Sector

Campaign Multipliers Recipients

Chambers

Associat.

Soc.Partners

Pot. Founders

Bus.

support

BC/BIC

NEA

RDA

Regions

Municipal.

EIC

Law Firms




• Stakeholders – [Awareness]

• Multipliers – [Awareness & information]

• Beneficiaries – Awareness &

[Information]

What, for whom and when?

Now

- soon

- Au

tum

n

Now

- soon

- Au

tum

n




Most of the stakeholders have been participants of the OP preparation working group.

Information needs:

• Ongoing process development information from MoEE

• Will probably also participate in Monitoring Committee

No

w!

No

w!

2007

2007




Many important stakeholders will also be used as multipliers:

► Social partners (employers associations & trade unions)

► Associations ► Chambers

► Regional Development Agencies

► Regional / District / Municipal Administrations

► Employment Agencies




Information needs:

• Ongoing process development

plus

• Concrete and detailed info on application conditions and procedures

No

w!

No

w!

Au

tum

n

Au

tum

n




Beneficiaries might be found among a lot of different groups:

► SMEs in general – different sectors

► Associations (local branches)

► Consultancies, Training Providers

► Business Support Centres, Incubators

► Universities, Research Facilities

► NGOs




Information needs:

• Awareness raising general information – will be provided by multipliers in different forms

plus

• Concrete and detailed info on application conditions and procedures – as soon as it is available

So

on

So

on

Au

tum

n

Au

tum

n




YOU• have a lot of member institutions!

• can provide existing information channels in relation to different target groups

(and can easily address them)!

• know the needs of your member institutions!

• can realise the benefit of the OP for these institutions!




That‘s why we need you as multipliers who can assist MoEE to spread the good message within your

sphere of influence.

We intend to keep you informed about

•the process,

•the contents and

•the conditions of funding




Please help us to do this important job!

It will not only be for the benefit of the target groups – particularly SMEs.

You will also assist the Bulgarian government in the overall objective of

consuming as much as possible of the aids provided by the EU!

multipliers' event, sofia, ndk, 31 may 2006 1 twinning project strengthening the capacity of...

Documents

twinning project

bulgarian economy

operational programme

programme level

stakeholders multipliers

project activities

ma moee

concept of moee