New program opens doors for cross-border cooperation

On November 21, 2024, the STIPP program was officially launched. STIPP is a program of the Interreg Meuse-Rhine program. In full it stands for: SME Transition Innovation Partners Projects. The project stimulates cross-border cooperation between SMEs and scaleups in the Meuse-Rhine region of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The focus is on product and process innovations that contribute to social transitions: industrial transition, green transformation and a healthy society. LIOF is lead partner of STIPP.

This Meuse-Rhine region is an innovative high-tech region: in both research/education and industry. And from SMEs to global companies. Consequently, the region enjoys a high reputation at the international level. The potential of this region can be further enhanced through cross-border cooperation.

STIPP

STIPP focuses on encouraging and supporting companies in forming cross-border consortia. The initiative focuses on informing companies, scouting potential innovators and active matchmaking across borders. With this, STIPP stimulates the development of new innovation projects and the strengthening of existing initiatives in the region. In addition, it offers direct support to cross-border consortia in realizing these innovative projects.

Purpose

The goal is to support at least 100 SMEs in the region. This support is free of charge. STIPP has a total budget of 14 million from the European Regional Development Fund, of which 10 million is available in the form of grants for cross-border consortia. They can count on funding from €150,000 to €600,000. 2.5 million has been made available for the first call.

Partners

The following partners (regional development agencies) are involved in this program:

- LIOF (lead partner) - VLAIO (contact point of the Flemish government for entrepreneurs) - POM Limburg (development company for Belgian Limburg) - Wallonia Entreprendre (entrepreneurs' association for Wallonia) - AGIT (Aachener Gesellschaft für Innovation und Technologietransfer) - NMWP (German industry interest group)

These regional development agencies work together with the Province of Limburg, which acts as managing authority for the Interreg Meuse-Rhine program.

Kick-off event Nov. 21

During this event, interested companies were informed and was also the official opening of the first call for innovation projects.