EU for Innovation II, 2022-2026 EU for Innovation II, 2022-2026 - Sida's contribution: EU4innovation II Denna utvärdering görs inför andra fasen av projektet EU4innovation. Fas 1 av projektet genomfördes mellan Oktober 2018 till December 2022. Under projektets första fas har Sida haft en betydande roll för att stödja innovationsekosystemet i Albanien. Detta genom att skapa och genomföra ”Innovation Challenge Fund”, som är baserad på svenska erfarenheter. Fonden har varit relevant för och svarat till behoven hos 40 albanska startupbolag, innovationsstödjande organisationer, och företag. Detta genom att tillhandhålla det stöd som saknas i deras tillväxtfaser, då det saknas liknande finansieringsmöjligheter för dessa typer av affärsidéer i Albanien. 
Fonden fyllde alltså en lucka i finansieringen av innovativa idéer och bidrog på så sätt till tillväxten av innovativa företag i hela landet, med engagemang från nystartade startupbolag och företag som leds av kvinnor, samt de som annars inte skulle ha kunnat omvandla sina idéer till affärsverksamhet. Till följd av dessa positiva resultat, och en förfrågan från Albaniens regeringen om att fortsätta bidra till ett stärkt innovationsekosystem, planerades det för och beslutades om en andra fas av projektet. 
Projektet "EU4Innovation" kommer att finansieras genom EU:s föranslutningsinstrument (IPA III) 2021–2027 för Window 4: Konkurrenskraft och inkluderande tillväxt; Tematisk Prioritering 2: utveckling av den privata sektorn, handel, forskning och innovation. I linje med de på förhand fastställda mål och resultat som anges i insatsdokumentet är det övergripande målet (effekten) för insatsen att öka Albaniens konkurrenskraft och socioekonomiska återhämtning efter Covid-pandemin genom att förbättra företagsklimatet, innovationsekosystemet och investeringsklimatet. Denna insats samfinansieras gemensamt av EU, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) och Sida och genomförs av GIZ (output 1-4) och Sida (huvuddelen av output 2) under perioden december 2022 till maj 2026 (42 månader). Den totala budgeten för insatsen beräknas uppgå till 11 750 000 euro. EU åtar sig att ge ett bidrag på upp till 10.000.000 euro, BMZ upp till 1.200.000 euro och Sida upp till 550.000 euro. Av EU-bidraget på 10.000.000 euro får Sida totalt 2.350.000 euro.
Projektet har GIZ som genomförandepart (output 1-4) och Sida ansvarar huvudsakligen för att handlägga Innovation Challenge Fund (den största delen av output 2). Innovation Challenge Fund 2 kommer att bevilja bidrag (med medfinansiering) till innovativa startupbolag och små till mellanstora företag. En miljon euro kommer att beviljas i bidrag, varav 0.8 miljoner euro finansieras av EU och 0.2 miljoner euro finansieras av Sida. Bidragsbeloppen kommer att vara mellan 10.000 euro och 30.000 euro. Bidragets storlek kommer att avgöras utifrån en bedömning av i vilket skede i sin livscykel som bolagen befinner sig i. Inledningsvis planerade ambassaden att genomföra insatsen med hjälp av en ledningsgrupp och en grupp av partners från implementeringen av projektets första fas. Planen var att projektet skulle drivas från ett separat kontor bredvid ambassaden, och skulle bemannas av en ledningsgrupp om fyra personer. Externa experter/konsulter skulle anlitas av Sida på behovsbasis. Baserat på de rekommendationer som inkommit från Utrikesdepartementets och Sidas inspektion 7-11 november 2022 så kommer en ny genomförandestuktur för EU4Innovation att inrättas. Ambassaden kommer att genomföra projektet via en extern genomförandepart. Projektets nya genomförandeupplägg kommer att beslutas om under övergångsperioden under det första halvåret av 2023. This appraisal is done for the project EU4Innovation (Phase II), which is the continuation of the first phase of the project “Eu for Innovation” implemented from October 2018 - December 2022. During EU for Innovation phase 1, Sida has played an important role in boosting the innovation ecosystem in Albania, through creating and implementing Innovation Challenge Fund based on Swedish experience. The fund, has been relevant and responsive to the needs of 40 Albanian start-ups, innovation supporting organisations and enterprises through the provision of the missing support in their validation and growth phases, in absence of similar government or donor funding facilities to support such business ideas in Albania. Therefore, the Fund filled a gap in financing of innovative ideas, and in this way contributed to the growth of innovative businesses across the country, with engagement of women-led start-ups and businesses as well as those who would not have otherwise been able to transform their ideas into actual business activity. Following the positive outcomes, and the request from the government of Albania to further strengthens the innovation ecosystem, a second phase of the project was planned and agreed.EU4Innovation (Phase II), is financed by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) 2021-2027 for Window 4: Competitiveness and inclusive growth; Thematic Priority 2: private sector development, trade, research, and innovation. In line with the pre-defined objectives and results outlined in the Action document, the overall objective (impact) of the Action is to increase the competitiveness and post-COVID socio-economic recovery of Albania through improvement of the business environment, innovation ecosystem and investment climate.This Multi Donor Action is jointly co-financed by the European Union (EU), the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The Action will be implemented by GIZ (the Lead Organization) and Sida (the Partner) between December 2022 to May 2026 (42 months). The total estimated budget of the action is 11. 750. 000 EUR. The EU will provide a contribution up to EUR 10.000.000, the BMZ up to EUR 1.200.000 and Sida up to EUR 550.000.The funds will be sent directly from EUD to GIZ, and then GIZ will forward the funds to Sida. Out of the 10.000.000 EUR from EU contribution, Sida will benefit a total of 2.350.000 EUR.GIZ is responsible to implement (output 1-4) and Sida is responsible to manage the Innovation Challenge Fund (main part of output 2). Innovation Challenge Fund 2, will award grants (with co-finance %) to innovative start-ups and Micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). 1 Mio. EUR will be given in grants. (0.8 Mio. funded by the EU, and 0.2 Mio. funded by Sida).  Grants amounts will start from 10'000 EUR – up to the maximum fund 30'000 EUR depending on the stage at which the start-ups are in their lifecycle.Initially, The Embassy of Sweden in Tirana planned to implement the action, through a management team, and a group of partners following the experience from implementation of EU for Innovation phase 1. The Challenge Fund was planned to be managed through a separate project office located next to the Swedish Embassy in Tirana and staffed by a management team of four persons. Additionally, external experts/consultants (contractors) would have been sub-contracted by Sida on a needs-basis.Based on the recommendations received from the inspection conducted by Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Sida during 7-11 November 2022, a new implementing set up for EU4Innovation project will be established. The Embassy of Sweden in Tirana will implement the action through an outsourced implementing partner, the new set up will be decided during transition phase of the 1st six months of 2023. The specific objective (outcome) of the Action is: maturity and exposure of the Albanian start-up and innovation ecosystem and its stakeholders are increased.

Output 1 puts capacity development (CD) interventions for stakeholders of the Albanian start-up ecosystem at centre stage. Already existing actors and services will be strengthened to deliver qualitative and sustainable services. New public and private actors will be encouraged to enter the Albanian start-up and innovation ecosystem to complement current services.

Output 2 will improve and diversify finance opportunities for Albanian start-ups  and Innovation Support Organizations (ISOs). GIZ will provide grants and capacity development to ISOs. Selected activities in the areas of crowdfunding, angel and equity investment complement this approach on GIZ side.

Output 3 promotes and implements the Quadruple Helix (QH) approach to generate innovation and economic growth. The target group is opened also to younger generations. Paradigmatic activities include green / circular project pilots on community level, awareness raising events and skills development programmes, e.g., via progressively integrating entrepreneurship education into university curricula.

Output 4 puts the spotlight on ecosystem promotion nationally and internationally, through big-scale events, campaigns and activities that aim to give needed attention and focus to the developing innovation ecosystem in Albania. The Action will design awareness raising campaigns and activities to promote key actors within the ecosystem, who can serve as ambassadors and role models.

Sida is responsible for the  action output 2, focused on improving and diversify finance opportunities for Albanian start-ups through Innovation Challenge Fund. Challenge Fund grant scheme 2 , would provide funding to innovative Micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME - start-ups with innovative solutions), and start-ups with a prominent tech content, with the potential to go global and grow fast. Building a vibrant innovation ecosystem by increasing the number of start-ups across the country that are supported and empowered to model and market innovative ideas, expand or diversify their businesses pushing innovation further in Albania is within the focus of CF.