#NEF Ivano-Frankivsk will become a city of innovation
On 27 May, Ivano-Frankivsk presented a large-scale three-year project, New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk - Support for New Clusters of Innovative Economic Activity in Ivano-Frankivsk (NEF), funded by the European Union and lasting until March 2025.
The main task of NEF is to strengthen local economic processes in order to stimulate an innovative economy and encourage the creation of products with high added value in Ivano-Frankivsk. And also support new clusters (networks) of local businesses, innovators, researchers, and strengthen their interaction, in particular in the fields of applied science, subject design and sustainable construction. To become a city of innovation, Ivano-Frankivsk needs to have competitive innovators, scientists and businesses after the war.
The project will be implemented jointly by public institutions, local governments and businesses. This is how the NEF is being implemented by a consortium of partners: The Executive Committee of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, the innovation centre Promprylad.Renovation, the urban laboratory METALAB, the economic development agency PPV Knowledge Networks, and the Teple Misto platform. The project is funded by the Mayors for Economic Growth programme of the European Union.
Today, in the context of the challenges of war, the project supports the SaveBusinessNow Business Support Centre. This is a community of entrepreneurs, access to expert advice, training, assistance in finding funding and offline meetings. Save Business Now is already helping businesses and research and development communities that have been forced to relocate their operations to Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast due to the war, as well as local businesses that are adapting their business models to the new conditions.
"The war has brought many challenges to our country. But the economy must work to provide a reliable rear for our frontline. As of today, 43 business entities have moved to the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk community from the combat zone. Most of them are in manufacturing, services and IT. Zaporizhzhia Non-Ferrous Metal Plant is also preparing to move to us. We want these companies not only to relocate their production but also to develop and create new products for Ukraine and Europe. We will proactively cooperate fruitfully, transparently and effectively for a common goal: Ukraine's economic victory in the war. We are grateful to our partners, the European Union, for their reliable support in this difficult time for Ukraine," said Mykhailo Smushak, Deputy Mayor and Director of the Department of Infrastructure, Housing and Communal Policy of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.
The "New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk" includes:
- assistance to Ukrainian companies, research groups and business support organizations with relocation to Ivano-Frankivsk or the region;
- consultations for business, researchers and innovators on adaptation to new conditions;
- informing about the possibilities of financial or other support;
- monitoring the state of the business and the level of innovation;
- development of the innovative infrastructure of an open workshop and a biochemical laboratory on the territory of the Promprylad.Renovation innovation centre;
- dissemination of knowledge and practices of sustainable construction and subject design according to the principles of a circular economy;
- cooperation between businesses, local governments and research communities to ensure access to expert advice and funding in the post-war period.
- restoration and equipment of the existing shelter Promprylad.Renovation.
Total project budget -1 272,746 euros
Partners are invited to leave requests for support and advice on the website SaveBusinessNow.
