The European Commission has developed a number of projects that monitor the development of advanced technologies in industry or provide other support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or projects in the field of key enabling technologies (KETs).
European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems
The European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems (EMI) website analyses and systematically monitors the state of uptake of advanced technologies by EU industry. The website features a Technology Centre Mapping tool which allows SMEs to identify and contact technology centres that provide services such as access to technology expertise and facilities for validation, demonstration, proof of concept and lab testing, prototype development and testing, pilot production and demonstration, and product validation and certification.
Digital Transformation Monitor
The Digital Transformation Monitor identifies key trends in digital transformation and measures progress made at national and sector-specific level. It provides statistical and factual evidence on the pace of digital transformation in particular sectors and in all EU countries. It also analyses major national policy initiatives and supports policy development.
Advanced Manufacturing Support Centre
The Advanced Manufacturing Support Centre aims to create an EU-wide network supporting SMEs to assess their potential to adopt advanced manufacturing solutions, create social innovation strategies and formulate concrete transformation plans that bring the SMEs towards more competitive, modern and sustainable production.
KETs for Clean Production
The KETs for Clean Production (KET4CP) project demonstrates a network of technology infrastructures capable of helping SMEs innovate with advanced manufacturing technology across borders and deliver technology and non-technology services to SMEs.
European open innovation network in advanced technologies
The European open innovation network in advanced technologies project starting in 2020, will setup a network with a central brokerage service point, aimed at matching innovation needs/requests from large industries with innovative solutions from SME technology providers. (More details of the project can be found in the call for proposals).
Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies
The EU has made it a priority to ensure that key funding programmes offer specific support for projects in the area of KETs. As an example, the Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies pillar of Horizon 2020 includes support for closer-to-the market projects such as pilot manufacturing lines and demonstrators.
European Network for Pilot Production Facilities and Innovation Hubs
The European Network for Pilot Production Facilities and Innovation Hubs is a webtool that provides information about pilot production facilities in the area of nanotechnology and advanced material technologies.
Digital Innovation Hubs
The Digital Innovation Hubs online catalogue helps SMEs hubs, which are one-stop-shops that help companies to become more competitive with regard to their business/production processes, products or services using digital technologies.