Ivano-Frankivsk has an ambition to become a centre of innovation

    A large-scale innovation development project was presented today by representatives of the Executive Committee of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council together with partners - the Teple Misto platform, the Promprylad.Renovation Innovation Centre, and the PPV Knowledge Networks economic development agency (Lviv).

    In two years, the Ivano-Frankivsk Territorial Community plans to create a single ecosystem for the development of innovations and innovative start-ups.

    The project "Building an Innovation Ecosystem in Ivano-Frankivsk" involves educational activities, the development of a methodology for developing innovative ideas and turning them into businesses, and the arrangement of a large open workshop (makerspace) as a physical platform for the implementation of these ideas.

    "Ivano-Frankivsk has an ambition to become a centre of innovation. We want to see new ideas and successful businesses in our community," said Deputy Mayor Petro Shkutyak, "This project will result in the creation and approval of an effective and efficient municipal Innovation Support Programme, which we will implement in the new Ivano-Frankivsk Territorial Community Development Strategy.

    According to project coordinator Ksenia Semenova, the main goal is not just to attract innovative ideas, but to promote their "growth" and transformation into innovative businesses in Ivano-Frankivsk.

    "This project helps us understand what innovation is, gain the necessary knowledge and techniques to implement our own ideas, and provides the space and equipment to implement them," said Ksenia Semenova.

    At this stage, an intersectoral working group is created, which includes representatives of various departments of the executive committee of the city council, business representatives, the public sector and interested citizens.

    A number of educational activities, research, a programme of open events, and a large-scale restructuring of the makerspace are planned for 2021.

    The project is being implemented within the framework of the programme "Support to the Regional Policy of Ukraine" of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, with co-financing from Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.