This strategy presents a comprehensive approach designed to guide Central European policymakers in diversifying financing schemes. It outlines effective methods for adopting modern financial tools, expanding the range of options available to businesses. The primary goal is to support companies in executing innovative projects by directly addressing their specific needs. Building on insights and analyses from earlier project phases (including Virtual Knowledge Centre financial models), this strategy offers actionable recommendations to enhance the variety and effectiveness of financing instruments, ultimately fostering a more dynamic and supportive financial environment for businesses.

The FI4INN NETWORK represents a key achievement of our project, fostering sustained policy collaboration. This network unites project partners and associated partners, who are both key actors and primary beneficiaries. Their strong connections with innovation ecosystems ensure the effective application of project results at the territorial level. To solidify ongoing cooperation beyond the project's conclusion, a Memorandum of Understanding will be established, formalizing the commitment to long-term collaboration within the FI4INN Network.

This initiative includes SEVEN PILOT PROJECTS focused on creating innovative financing schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. These projects will take place in four regions (Carinthia in Austria, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Piemonte in Italy, and Silesia in Poland) and three countries (Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic). Participants will gain practical experience, enhancing their theoretical knowledge through hands-on activities. Each project involves end-users and will be reviewed by international peers to ensure strong and effective co-design methods. The main goal is to either develop new financial tools or improve existing ones to better support SMEs and startups, ultimately creating a more dynamic and supportive financial environment for these businesses.

SEVEN FINANCING SOLUTIONS have been developed through pilot projects in various regions and countries: Carinthia in Austria, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Piemonte in Italy, Silesia in Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. Each region will create a unique solution designed to address the specific needs identified in collaboration with their Local Stakeholder Group. These solutions will be developed through a collaborative co-design process, with peer reviews from project partners in different countries. This approach ensures that these seven Central European regions will launch new or improved financing schemes, significantly enhancing the financial ecosystem for SMEs and startups.

This STRATEGY outlines comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation plans to assess the financial, economic, social, and environmental impacts of financing schemes aimed at supporting business-driven innovation in the Central Europe program area. Designed by TEC4IFVG, Impact Hub, and ZEF, with contributions from other partners and associated partners, this public strategy targets policymakers, public fund owners, and financial stakeholders. It builds on insights from previous project analysis to provide a thorough framework for evaluating the effectiveness and broader impacts of these financing schemes.

Four REGIONAL ACTION PLANS will be developed to improve the evaluation strategies for financial instrument (FI) portfolios. These plans will provide detailed, region-specific roadmaps tailored to the unique needs of each area, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and impact of financial instruments. The regions involved—Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), Carinthia, Slovenia, and Hungary—will base their action plans on insights from Output 3.1 and utilize deliverables from WP3. Each action plan will include individualized strategies, clear goals, timelines, and the necessary resources (people, processes, and technology) to achieve effective portfolio evaluation and management.