SILEO

COVID-19 has highlighted the “resilience gap” between small and large firms. It is generally accepted that the pandemic is global, but the responses are different in the face of an event of such magnitude. SMEs are less resilient to shocks as they often lack the necessary resources and are dependent on supply chains. Despite this, SMEs are game changers for digital and green growth.

There is a real concern among SMEs that ignoring new technologies will put them at risk of being left behind, along with a growing openness to embrace ‘building better’ through digital.

The SILEO project brings together 7 key groups from Austria, France, Italy, Romania and Spain, together representing over 3,000 SMEs in the furniture and lighting industry. The project aims to accelerate and support SMEs in their adoption of advanced technologies and business models based on circularity.

SILEO will implement a set of direct-financial and non-financial but consistent actions designed to prepare the clusters to be able to properly respond to the needs of digital and circular transition for companies.

Project partners: Cluster Mobilier Transilvan – România, 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.

Proiect co-finanțat de Uniunea Europeană prin SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME, apelul SMP-COSME-2021-CLUSTER.

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

Elaboration of a Guide for the implementation of products and services based on new technologies, which provides concrete indications regarding the different steps of implementation at the company level. (WP3, A.3.3)

Organization and implementation of Business Digital Transformation vouchers (WP4, A.4.2)

Elaboration of the communication plan for the SILEO project (WP7, activity A7.1) and work package coordination.

TFC CONTRIBUTION

Work Package 1: Management

Work package 2: NETWORKING for the resilience of the lighting and furniture industry at European Union level

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

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

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

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

Work package 7: Communication and dissemination

ACTIVITIES

500 SMEs receiving (direct) support from the SILEO program for internationalisation, digitalisation and sustainability

25 clusters, business organizations or other European networks receiving support for internationalisation, digitalisation and sustainability

30 SMEs supported in concluding business partnerships

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

20 business continuity/resilience plans prepared

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

17 employees at clusters participating in the SILEO training program

150 SMEs active in SILEO training and training activities

RESULTS

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

Promoting strategic partnership among SMEs with technology providers to strengthen their resilience, competitiveness and supply chain diversification

Supporting SMEs to invest in improving their workforce and attracting talent

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

EFFECTS

Increase resilience of EU SMEs in the lighting & furniture sector to future shocks or crises, preparedness for disruptions in the supply and value chains, more sustainable in their business operations and stronger connected to industrial and advanced technologies ecosystems.

IMPACT