Every month, we pose this question to one of our colleagues. Our goal is to raise awareness of this project, of which the office is, this time, not the organizer but the beneficiary, from multiple perspectives. Our first interviewee is Krisztina Sóvágó, who works at the Strategy and Monitoring Department and is the technical manager of the GINOP PLUSZ (EDIOP PLUS) 2.1.2-22-2024-0002 project entitled “Development of the RDI ecosystem”. Our first question to her was how this priority project differs from a general innovation project, and how it differs from government tasks related to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

One of the most important objectives of the project is to have an impact on entrepreneurs and a wide range of economic operators associated with them. It addresses the entire RDI ecosystem, fosters a change of approach, and provides a specific platform for this purpose. It is not meant to support the development of products and services, but a process that generates productive links between businesses, research centres and economic operators.

Using what method?

The method is diverse. For example, it includes knowledge transfer, the presentation of best practices, as well as the development of an interactive interface. The latter is also a database in itself, which can be used to establish contact with companies with similar profiles, research institutions, or potential partners that are successful and can offer valuable experience. The project takes an approach that focuses on knowledge, information, and experience. It is very important in this method that it is interactive, that it is not the policy makers or the authorities who approach entrepreneurs seeking support, but rather that we induce a process in which the stakeholders of the local economy talk to each other.

Communication is multifaceted, with questionnaires, workshops, and presentations providing direct information on the specific ways in which policy can support SME innovation and development. These results will be shared and incorporated into the next strategy.

How can the usefulness of the project be measured?

For the time being, we can only quantify our indicators. A very important goal, however, is to encourage small businesses to innovate, come up with ideas, and introduce them to the market. It is essential to reduce inequality within the country in this regard, so that there are no regions where there is no innovation or novel ideas, and where people are unable to keep pace with changes in their environment. Another explicit goal is to reduce Hungary’s innovation lag compared to many other EU countries.

Those who participate in the programs, mentoring, training, and domestic or international exchanges offered by the consortium partner, the Hungarian Innovation Agency, will be able to directly measure the results and usefulness of the project.

Incidentally, policy-makers have already deployed a wide range of instruments to enhance the innovation propensity of small and medium-sized enterprises. Now we need to help businesses improve their adaptability. They should be able to identify opportunities and think creatively. The first step is for them to get to know each other and build this support network themselves.

Is it possible that the reason why this is not happening is because innovation alone does not bring immediate returns and there is no guarantee of success?

It is important to clarify that the Development of the RDI ecosystem project encourages businesses, for example, to take small steps, use their existing resources, and invest energy in networking and information gathering. They should open up to new partners and new solutions.

The project is partly based on the National Smart Specialisation Strategy, i.e. the development of the S3 implementation. The S3 is a policy tool that has been used in the European Union since the 2014-20 period. We have already been running S3 in public administration, coordinated by the NRDI Office. By comparison, the project extends the elements of S3 to a wider range of areas by creating new channels, new tools, and new forums. Another key to S3 is specialisation, focusing on certain sectors. We would like to strengthen these thematic areas within the project, for example by building thematic communities, collecting thematic information, and organizing thematic events.

Could you explain how to interpret all this using a specific example?

Take, for example, a business that recycles agricultural waste or by-products. It most certainly needs raw materials, so it will look for them somewhere. It may find some potential suppliers through the website developed for the project, but it can also use the website to see how others do it.

I find this project particularly appealing because we, in public administration, for example in connection with S3 processes, perform tasks that are of no interest to businesses, nor should they be. However, this project has branches and elements that allow us to reach businesses and numerous stakeholders in the research, development, and innovation ecosystem directly. In other words, we are connecting public administration with local stakeholders. This is at the core of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process. We do not present strategies but opportunities and entrepreneurs do what they do best and what they represent most successfully. I am committed to making this happen with all my strength and knowledge.