One Stop Liaison Office (O.S.L.O.): supporting innovation and co-Funding in Central Macedonia

The One Stop Liaison Office (O.S.L.O.) is a key mechanism under Priority Objective 01: Productive Competitive Transformation of Central Macedonia within the Regional Operational Program (RoP) 2021–2027. Fully funded by RoP 21–27 under Specific Objective RSO 1.1, O.S.L.O. plays a pivotal role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

Core Goals of O.S.L.O.

O.S.L.O.’s primary functions include:

• Drafting, monitoring, and evaluating the region’s Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3).
• Designing, implementing, and monitoring the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP).
• Supporting the Autonomous Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in executing RIS3-related actions.

Purpose and goals of the pilot

The pilot  aims to integrate co-funding schemes using financial instruments and sources beyond traditional EU or public funding. The methodology and outcomes will serve as a template to expand O.S.L.O.’s service portfolio, enabling it to offer crowdfunding support not only for Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) but also for other sectors.

Key beneficiaries and benefits

At the Campaign Stage:

Key beneficiaries

• SMEs and freelancers from the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) sector in Central Macedonia.

Benefits:

• Diverse funding sources: crowdfunding attracts a variety of backers, reducing reliance on a single funding source.
• Access to capital: offers an alternative to traditional financing methods, enabling funds to be raised from a broad base of supporters.
• Reduced financial risk: provides upfront capital before project commencement, mitigating financial uncertainties, especially for high-risk projects.

In the Policy Instrument Improvement Phase:

Key beneficiaries:

• SMEs from all RIS3 priority sectors in the region.

Benefits for SMEs:

• Access to diverse funding sources.
• Reduced financial dependency and risks.
• Opportunities to secure upfront capital.

Benefits for the Regional Authority and Citizens (Medium to Long Term):

• Enhanced financial resources: crowdfunding expands co-funding opportunities for regional development initiatives.
• Citizen engagement: encourages active participation and investment in regional projects, fostering a stronger community connection.
• Innovation promotion: drives entrepreneurship across multiple sectors, boosting the region’s economic competitiveness.

Strengthening regional innovation

By integrating crowdfunding as a co-funding mechanism, O.S.L.O. aligns with the broader objectives of the Regional Operational Program. This initiative enhances access to funding for SMEs, promotes innovation, and builds a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Macedonia.