SILEO

COVID-19 highlighted the “resilience gap” between small and large companies. It is widely accepted that the pandemic is truly global, but responses to such a large-scale event vary. SMEs are less resilient to shocks, as they often lack the necessary resources and are dependent on supply chains. Despite this, SMEs are key change agents for a digital and green growth.

There is a real concern among SMEs that ignoring new technologies will expose them to the risk of falling behind, along with an increasing openness to embracing “building better” through digital means.

The SILEO project brings together 7 key groups from Austria, France, Italy, Romania, and Spain, collectively representing over 3,000 SMEs in the furniture and lighting industries. The project aims to accelerate and support SMEs in their process of adopting advanced technologies and circular business models.

SILEO will implement a set of direct financial and non-financial actions, carefully designed to prepare clusters to adequately respond to the companies’ needs for digital and circular transition.

Project partners: Transylvanian Furniture Cluster (Cluster Mobilier Transilvan) – Romania, EUROPEAN LIGHTING CLUSTER ALLIANCE-ELCA-Italy, CLUSTER LUMIERE ASSOCIATION-France, CLUSTER D’IL·LUMINACIO DE CATALUNYA-CICAT-Spain, RETE DI IMPRESE LUCE IN VENETO-Italy, BUSINESS UPPER AUSTRIA-OO WIRTSCHAFTSAGENTUR GMBH-Austria, CLUSTER LEGNO, ARREDO E SISTEMA CASA FVG SRL CONSORTILE-Italy.

Project co-financed by the European Union through the SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME, under the SMP-COSME-2021-CLUSTER call.

Collecting data from SME members, contributing to the SWOT analysis, and developing the production process mapping in the furniture sector.

Developing an Implementation Guide for products and services based on new technologies, providing concrete guidelines for company-level implementation. (WP3, A.3.3)

Organizing and implementing Business Digital Transformation vouchers (WP4, A.4.2)

Developing the communication plan for the SILEO project (WP7, A7.1) and coordinating the work package.

TFC’s CONTRIBUTION

Work Package 1: Project Management

Work Package 2: NETWORKING for the resilience of the lighting and furniture industries at the European Union level

Work Package 3: INNOVATION for the strategic autonomy of the lighting and furniture ecosystems in the EU

Work Package 4: GO DIGITAL – Voucher scheme to support SMEs in the lighting and furniture sectors in adopting digital processes and advanced technologies

Work Package 5: SKILLS AND RE-SKILLS – for the workforce and attracting talent

Work Package 6: GO INTERNATIONAL – to increase access to global value supply chains for lighting and furniture

Work Package 7: Communication and Dissemination

ACTIVITIES

500 SMEs receiving (direct) support from the SILEO program for internationalization, digitalization, and sustainability

25 clusters, business organizations, or other European networks receiving support for internationalization, digitalization, and sustainability

30 SMEs supported in establishing business partnerships

250 entrepreneurs benefiting from mentoring and mobility schemes, including youth, women entrepreneurs, and other specific target groups

20 resilience/business continuity plans prepared

60 new products and services identified by SMEs due to the SILEO project

17 cluster employees participating in the SILEO training program

150 active SMEs in SILEO training and preparation activities

RESULTS

Increasing awareness, knowledge, and understanding of advanced technologies and the potential for digitalization for SMEs.

Promoting strategic partnerships among SMEs with technology providers to enhance their resilience, competitiveness, and supply chain diversification.

Supporting SMEs in investing in workforce development and attract talent.

Improving the international potential of SMEs by adopting new technologies for the company and more sustainable products and/or services.

EFFECTS

Increasing the resilience of EU SMEs in the lighting and furniture sectors to future shocks and crises, preparing companies to cope with disruptions in supply and value chains, as well as supporting the development of more sustainable operations that are strongly connected to industrial and advanced technology ecosystems.

IMPACT (estimated)