Image
ICT Innovation Vouchers
Published on 12 March 2019
Spain
Región de Murcia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Building on the past successes of Murcia Region’s pilot programme – PYME +, ICT Innovation Vouchers addresses the lack of innovation experience and culture in regional SMEs by enabling them to purchase with a voucher innovative ICT services from pre-approved and vetted service providers. In addition to supporting ICT innovation in regional SMEs, ICT Innovation Vouchers are equally of use to service providers by affording them an opportunity to maintain clients and establish new client relationships by creating ‘durable links’.
The ICT Innovation Voucher implemented by the region of Murcia’s development agency (INFO) follows six stages of implementation: (1) SMEs make a simple application for an ICT service; (2) the development agency approves a grant (voucher) for the provision of an ICT service by a pre-approved provider; (3) the approved service is provided; (4) the SME pays for the service with the voucher it has received from the development agency; (5) the service provider after reception of the voucher has it justified by the development agency; and (6) the economic value is transferred from the voucher into revenue for the service provider.
The ICT innovation voucher has been used to implement Big Data Planning and projects on the Internet of Things and Cybersecurity.
The ICT Innovation Voucher implemented by the region of Murcia’s development agency (INFO) follows six stages of implementation: (1) SMEs make a simple application for an ICT service; (2) the development agency approves a grant (voucher) for the provision of an ICT service by a pre-approved provider; (3) the approved service is provided; (4) the SME pays for the service with the voucher it has received from the development agency; (5) the service provider after reception of the voucher has it justified by the development agency; and (6) the economic value is transferred from the voucher into revenue for the service provider.
The ICT innovation voucher has been used to implement Big Data Planning and projects on the Internet of Things and Cybersecurity.
Expert opinion
The ICT Innovation Voucher implemented by the region of Murcia’s development agency are a good example of a measure used to tackle the lack of innovation experience and culture in regional SMEs. The practice has contributed to lowering the initial barriers of ICT innovation. A noteworthy and relevant aspect of the voucher is that the ICT services can only be purchased from pre-approved and vetted service providers which helps generate trust and maintain quality in the use of the public funds provided. The measure also builds new B2B relationships between SMEs and ICT service providers. Such a voucher-based support scheme might have replication value in other contexts where measures are needed to encourage SMEs to undertake ICT innovation.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
14 million EUR (co-financed by ERDFs) for Innovation Vouchers. Note that this budget was not exclusively for ICT Innovation Vouchers but the region’s innovation vouchers (ICT, Technological and Nontechnological Innovation Vouchers, and the Europa Voucher).
Evidence of success
The ICT Innovation Voucher is of use to its beneficiaries and stakeholders (regional SMEs and Service Providers) in removing /reducing bureaucracy for them.
In particular, during 2017-2018, the Innovation Voucher assisted 51 regional beneficiaries to access European funded projects advancing company innovation.
For the vouchers provided (each worth 6,000 EUR) to the 51 companies, 2.7 million EUR of European investment was generated.
In particular, during 2017-2018, the Innovation Voucher assisted 51 regional beneficiaries to access European funded projects advancing company innovation.
For the vouchers provided (each worth 6,000 EUR) to the 51 companies, 2.7 million EUR of European investment was generated.
Potential for learning or transfer
Primarily, the ICT Voucher’s potential for learning and transfer lies in the fact that it is replicable. Following successful implementation, a project for the creation of an EU Label for Innovation Vouchers has begun .
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Instituto de Fomento de la Región de Murcia (INFO)
Spain
Región de Murcia
Contact
Communication Manager