The project is entitled: ‘Strategic Mentalities and Redesigned Technological Environments Regenerate SMEs’ (S.M.A.R.T.E.R. SMEs) and began in November 2023 and will end in June 2026.

The project aims to address the digital transformation needs of SMEs in the EU. The SMEs form the backbone of the EU economy, but their progress in digitalisation is low and uneven across the EU. The project identifies several challenges that SMEs face in their digital transformation, including a lack of awareness about the value of technological and green transformation, limitations in knowledge and skills to devise a digital transformation strategy, and difficulty in getting support from digital innovation hubs.

The SMARTER SMEs project was co-funded within the framework of a “Strategic Partnership” in the EU-programme Erasmus+.

The project proposes several innovative solutions to address the above mentioned challenges:

1. MOOC for "SME Digital Transformation Tutor": This is aimed at updating SME associations operators to promote the development of skills for mentoring entrepreneurs in devising a strategy for digital transformation.

2. SMEs' Digital Transformation Tube Story: This is a "story told like a TV series," which aims to raise awareness and educate entrepreneurs about digital transformation.

3. Kit tutoring training of entrepreneurs: This kit will contain materials and tools used by tutors in in-person tutoring/learning activities directed to entrepreneurs.

+++ Project meeting and training session in Berlin, Germany +++

The transnational project team met in Berlin from 1 to 4 July 2024. In addition to the project meeting, the programme included a workshop as part of the "SMEs' Digital Transformation Tube Story". For this, all project partners brought other experts from the field of digital transformation to Berlin. Together, we learnt a lot about creating scripts, producing short videos and editing them. A total of 10 short videos were produced to sensitise SMEs to the need for digital transformation.

+++ Transnational project meeting in Braga, Portugal +++

On 12 and 13 February 2024, the transnational project team met for the first time in Braga, Portugal. The focus of the meeting was on the MOOC course "SME Digital Transformation Tutor". The MOOC structure and the MOOC content were defined in interactive workshops. Project topics such as project and financial management, quality management and dissemination activities were also discussed. It was great to meet the entire project team live & in colour!

+++ Online kick-off meeting for the project launch +++

On 16 November 2023, the SMARTER SMEs project kicked off with a first joint online project meeting. The transnational project team got to know each other & the consortium leader CNA Abruzzo presented the project objectives. The project partners responsible for the SMARTER SMEs products also presented them. emcra is responsible for the MOOC course "SME Digital Transformation Tutor". We are very much looking forward to working together over the next three years.

The consortium consists of seven partners from five European countries: Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. CNA Abruzzo is assuming the role of lead partner and consortium leader.

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