The Baltic TRAM project
The Baltic TRAM (Transnational Research Access in the Macroregion) was a project funded by the INTERREG programme for the Baltic Sea Region. It ran from 2016 until 2019. The project offered companies free access to state-of-the-art analytical research facilities across the Baltic Sea Region, providing technical and scientific expertise to help solve challenges associated with developing new products or services. The overall objective was to boost innovation and secure the implementation of smart specialisation in the field of the bio-/circular economy.
One of the programme instruments was the distribution of transnational vouchers for companies to spend on circular process research. The vouchers had the purpose of developing circular “smart specialisations”, by facilitating access by companies to the most advanced research centres in the region. Additionally, the project aimed to foster regional networks of expertise in the circular economy.
- As a whole, the Baltic TRAM project was evaluated as having substantially improved the circular regional network between academia and industries
- The evaluation also pointed to an improvement in innovation levels in the region, fostering expertise. The introduction of the vouchers scheme had supported this achievement
- The vouchers were effective, particularly as regards the increase in SME performance in circular innovations.