Many applicants will require access to labour market information in order to formulate applications and ensure that statistical evidence is sound. Futureskills Scotland is a division of Scottish Enterprise and it provides access to a number of reports and sets of statistics on the Scottish Labour Market which will assist applicants. You can access this information through www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk. The website explains the type of support and material that is available. The two associated websites (accessible through the main site) include the Key Indicators site and Research Online. http://www.keyindicators.org.uk provides free online access to a wide range of labour market information at both unitary authority and local economic forum level in Scotland. www.researchonline.org.uk accesses a database of the latest labour market research taken from a wide range of sources.
The Scottish Innovative Actions Programme 2004 – 2005 has a total budget of £4 million, with 50% of this funding provided by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Funds will be invested in leading edge pilot projects to test new approaches to stimulate innovation and improve Scotland`s innovation performance.
The Programme will support pilot projects that address current weaknesses in the provision of innovation support in Scotland under four key themes known as Action Lines:
1. The Scottish innovation system - improving innovation services and the overall support environment for innovation in Scotland
2. SME demand for innovation - encouraging and assisting more small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Scotland to innovate
3. Knowledge transfer and management - knowledge transfer from the research base to SMEs and helping SMEs exploit knowledge to improve growth and competitiveness
4. Marketing and product launch - helping SMEs create and access new markets from their innovation
The Scottish Programme is one of 156 regional programmes approved across Europe and a key feature will be to exchange learning and good practice across this extensive innovation network.
During 2006 pilot projects will be evaluated and the learning captured and disseminated to influence and improve future innovation policy and practice in Scotland.
A Steering Group oversees the implementation of the Programme and takes decisions on the projects approved for funding. Members are drawn from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, the CBI and the private sector.
SEP Ltd manages the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme on behalf of the Scottish Executive on a Scotland wide basis.
For more details visit the Scottish Innovative Actions Programme web-site at www.scottishinnovativeactions.co.uk
- Last Modified 05/09/2005 16:25:30
© Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme 2005
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