About
SMARTER SMEs
“Strategic Mentalities and Redesigned Technological Environments Regenerate SMEs” (S.M.A.R.T.E.R. SMEs), began in November 2023 and is due for completion in June 2026.
The project aims to address the digital transformation needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by identifying challenges that SMEs face in their digital transition, including a lack of awareness around the value of technological and green transformation, limitations in the knowledge and skills of SME leaders when developing a digital transformation strategy, and difficulty in getting support from specialised institutions.
Target groups include:
SME Support Organisations
Staff who help SMEs with subsidized finance, new markets, networking, and training connect the Associations with their member entrepreneurs daily. They have built a trusting relationship with many of them, based on their focus on promoting the value of SMEs.
However, in recent years, their ability to add value has declined due to rapid changes that have shifted the needs and priorities of the entrepreneurs, and the staff have struggled to keep up. The Associations have joined Digital Innovation Hubs to address digital transformation, but they need to improve their expertise in this area to benefit fully. To support their members better, they have decided to close the skills gap among their staff by adopting an upskilling strategy and offering direct mentoring and training services to entrepreneurs.
SME Founders and Senior Leadership
SME founders, who have driven their business growth, often face limitations due to their past successes. As mentioned in the problem analysis, they tend to resist technological change, focusing instead on short-term profits. Many are unaware of the urgency of innovation — some due to limited financial resources, others because they can’t assess the real need for change. They also lack the skills to evaluate digital transformation proposals directed at them. This situation makes them hesitant, exposing them to emerging risks.
Indirect Target Group
• VET Providers;
• Chambers of Commerce;
• Binational Chambers;
• European digital transformation hubs;
• Policy makers;
• External users;
The project pursues these specific objectives:
MOOC for "SME Digital Transformation Tutor"
This is aimed to update SME Associations Operators to promote the development of skills for mentoring entrepreneurs in devising a strategy for digital transformation.
SMEs' Digital Transformation Tube Story
This is a “story told like a TV series”, which aims to raise awareness and train entrepreneurs about digital transformation.
Kit tutoring training of entrepreneurs
This kit will contain materials and tools used by tutors in in-person tutoring/learning activities directed to entrepreneurs. A specific Readiness Assessement tools named Digital Advisor will be created to support the SME Entrepreneurs in the Digital Strategy devise.