Kärnstöd till Innovation Centre Kosovo Core support to Innovation Centre Kosovo Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK) har begärt ett kärnstöd på 14 miljoner SEK för att genomföra strategiplanen ”Scaling up and further consolidation of startup ecosystem 2019–2022”, för perioden 2019–2022. Budgetens totala storlek uppgår till 5.3 miljoner Euro. 

Samarbetet med ICK under kärnstödets första fas (2015–2018) har fungerat bra, med avseende på kvalitet så väl som uppföljning. Närapå samtliga resultat har överträffat de uppsatta målen. ICKs företagsinkubator har över en sexårsperiod utlyst 18 ansökningsomgångar och två sektoröverskridande ansökningsomgångar (Women edition och Fintech). Över 200 startups antogs som en del av ICKs inkubator, varav 65 inbegrep kvinnliga medgrundare och från vilka 170 nya registrerade företag etablerades. Det totala antalet erbjudna internkurser uppgick till 210, och de omfattade nära 3000 elever. 356 interna evenemang arrangerades (inräknat evenemang som arrangerades i samarbete med utomstående aktörer uppgår antalet till 450), och dessa omfattade mer än 40 000 deltagare. Sida har varit nöjd med samarbetet och de uppnådda resultaten. 

Det nya övergripande målet är att stötta individer, privata företag, myndigheter och utländska investerare som jobbar för utveckling, genom att lyfta fram innovativa idéer och introducera nya produkter, tjänster och verksamheter som förbättrar livet för medborgare i Kosovo. Vidare är målet att öka konkurrenskraften i den lokala ekonomin genom bruk av de tjänster och nätverk som erbjuds av Innovation Centre Kosovo. 

ICKs Strategiplan 2019-2022 är strukturerad kring ett antal nyckelfrågor:

1.Innovation: att etablera en gynnsam miljö för start ups är en av de viktigaste punkterna i ICKs plan. Start up-inkubatorn kommer att erbjuda tjänster så som utbildning, träning, handledning och andra typer av kapacitetsutveckling. Vidareförmedling av kunskap kommer att fortsätta över nästa programcykel. ICK kommer dessutom att erbjuda teknikutrustade lokaler för alla intresserade start-ups och företag och kommer att fortsätta stötta start-ups och företag genom bidrag och innovationsfonder. 
2.Främja entreprenörskap och marknadsföring av innovation: ICKs framtidsvision medför ett utvidgat arbete för att inkludera marginaliserade grupper, företagsavknoppningar, minoritetssamhällen, diaspora, civilsamhälle, och myndigheter. Detta kommer att utföras genom att identifiera behov, organisera entreprenörskapsevenemang över hela Kosovo, utökad kompetensutveckling, nätverkande och förbättrande av kompetenser för att på så vis öka anställningsgraden och egenföretagande. 
3.Fokus på prioriterade områden: ICK kommer att bredda närvaron bland sektorerna och inkludera socialt entreprenörskap, hållbar innovation och myndighetsledd innovation. Att främja innovation och utökad användning av teknik inom olika sektorer är avgörande för att uppnå större samhällsnyttiga effekter och bidra till samhällets modernisering. 

Den totala budgeten för genomförandet av ICKs strategiska plan för 2019-2022 är satt till 5,3 miljoner euro, och finansieringen är uppdelad som följer: 
Sida (2019–2022) ämnar bidra med kärnstöd till ett belopp om 14 MSEK (1,4 miljoner Euro); 
GIZ (2018–2020) bidrar med 904 230 Euro;
Norge (2018–2020) bidrar med 234 438 Euro; 
EU/EDF/ICK (2018–2020) bidrar med 316 668 Euro; 
Europeiska fonden för Sydöstra Europa (EFSE) bidrar med 92 833 Euro; 
Kosovos Innovations och Entreprenörskapsdepartement (2018–2019) bidrar med 196 244 Euro. 
ICKs egeninsats uppgår till 760 000 Euro. Innovation Centre Kosovo has requested a core funding of 14 million SEK to carry out the Strategy Plan "'Scaling up and further consolidation of startup ecosystem 2019-2022'' during the period 2019-2022. The total amount of the budget is 5,3 million Euro.

The cooperation with Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK) during the first phase of core support 2015-2018 has worked well, both in terms of quality and timely deliveries. Almost all the results have exceeded the foreseen plans. For six years, ICK's incubator department has launched 18 calls for proposals and 2 cross sectorial calls (Women edition and FinTech). Over 200 start ups were accepted to be part of the ICK’s incubator, where 65 were women co-founders and out of which 170 new registered companies have been established. Total number of internal training courses delivered was 210 to almost 3000 trainees. Internal event organized were 356 (over 450 including events co-organized in partnership with others) attended by more than 40 000 participants. Sida has been satisfied with a cooperation and achieved results. 

The overall new objective is to support the aspiration of individuals, private companies, government and foreign investors for development, by propelling innovative ideas and introducing new products, services and operations that improve the lives of Kosovo citizens, and increase competitiveness of local economy through utilizing services and network of Innovation Centre Kosovo.

ICK Strategic plan 2019-2022 is structured around the following key pillars:

1. Innovation-startup enabling environment is one of the most important pillars that ICK will focus on. Start-up incubator will offer services such as training, coaching, mentoring, and other forms of capacity building and transfer of know-how will be continued under the upcoming programing cycle. On the other hand, ICK will offer technological space for all interested star-ups and businesses, and will continue to support start-ups and businesses through grants and innovation funds.
 
2. Empowering entrepreneurship and promoters of Innovation: ICK’s vision for the future entails additional efforts in inclusion of marginalized groups, spinoffs, minority communities, diaspora, civil society, and the government. This will be implemented by identifying the needs, organizing entrepreneurial events throughout Kosovo, increasing skills, networking and improving skills to improve employment and self-employment.

3. Focusing on key priority sectors: ICK will diversify sectoral presence and included, social entrepreneurship, sustainable innovation, and government innovation. Promoting innovation and increased application of technology across different sectors, is crucial also for increasing effects across the society and contribute to its overall modernization.

The overall budget for implementation of the ICK's Strategic Plan 2019-2022 is planned to be 5,3 million Euro, out of which:
Sida (2019-2022) will give a core support budget with an amount of 14 MSEK (1,4 million Euro),
GIZ (2018-2020) with 904 230 Euro,
Norway (2018-2020) with 234 438 Euro,
EU/EDF/ICK (2018-2020) with 316 668 Euro,
European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) (2018-2019) with 92 833 Euro,
Kosovo Ministry of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2018-2019) with 196 244 Euro and  
ICK’s own funding is planned to be 760 000 Euro. 
There is a budget gap of 1,4 million Euro for 2020-2021, which is expected to be filled in with contributions from other possible donors. Vision:Modern society in which innovation and entrepreneurship are an integrated part of our culture & society, and a major factor of development and improvement of the living standard of all citizens.Mission:ICK aims to advance innovation and entrepreneurship to new levels, in which entrepreneurial spirit and culture of innovation are reflected amongst individuals, companies and government, through creating a functional ecosystem in which ventures are supported to growth and sustainability.Overall Objective:ICK will support the aspiration of individuals, private institutions, governments and foreign investors to achieve development by generating innovative ideas and introducing new products, services and operations that improve the overall quality of life of Kosovo citizens, and increase competitiveness of local economy, through creating of a functional ecosystem
Specific Objective 1. Contribute to improving Innovation and startup enabling environment
This objective will be reached by providing direct financial support for startups and innovative SME’s through Grant Funds, through government and CSO support and through providing new services for start-ups and SME’s such as:- Improved market access information and linkages for startups, SME’s and foreign direct investors;- Promotional services through digitalization;- Physical and technological infrastructure such as free rent space in Pristina and expanding in 3 other cities;- Access to finance through matching funds, Innovation fund, Angel Club, Crowdfunding platforms and partner with accelerator;
Specific Objective 2: Improving the skills of youth and improve employment and self-employment prospects
Increasing and improving the skills of youth and competences relevant to today’s market and improving employment and self-employment will be reached through:- Improved professional trainings
- Training large number of youth in the areas identified as being in high demand. This would create critical mass of seasoned professionals to satisfy the needs and export aspirations of Kosovo companies;- Fostering entrepreneurship through incubation, mentoring and voucher schemes;- Technical services for its beneficiaries including but not limited to office space, hosting and other services;- Facilitate Internships, Job Placements and Direct Employment of students at existing companies.
Specific Objective 3: Support and Promote entrepreneurship and Innovation
ICK aims to advance innovation and entrepreneurship to new levels and integrate them in our culture. This objective will be reached to:- Constantly promote and increase awareness on the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship through, so that ventures are supported to growth and sustainability;- Have a high participation of target audiences in our innovations programs and schemes;- Organize entrepreneurial events throughout Kosovo; networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities;- Increase the number of women/girls in ICT sector.
Specific Objective 4: Increase of innovation and modernization of key sectors of interestAs part of the new strategy pillars and activities, ICK has identified Technology, Sustainable Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship and Government Innovation as four main innovation priority sectors. By increasing activities that lead to innovating and modernizing these sectors, ICK will create an impact in the ecosystem. This objective will be achieved by:- Introducing and encouraging the application of technology in relevant sectors;- Support cross-sectorial projects through incubator department;- Seek ways to engage relevant stakeholders in innovation and technology application.