The objective of the project is to promote and support the participation of SMEs in European surface transport R&D projects. A tool will be developed which will act as a catalyst for bringing closer SMEs with the industrial and scientific actors of the surface transport R&D and providing the community with comprehensive mapping of SMEs expertise and R&D.

The tool will be made up of
an "information tool" based on a web site hosting a set of databases of:

• SME expertise,
• Projects with innovation needs,
• Technology providers able to participate in co-operative research projects (ex CRAFT)

The web site will also provide some partner search and skill matching services with news and information services
and "accompanying measures and services" such as :

• National workshops, organised to raise awareness of FP6 within the SMEs community and feed the database with more precise information on : SMEs domains of expertise, products, research needs, potential research ideas. These workshops will be organised nationally either as stand alone workshops or as part of trade/industry events which would have the added benefit of bringing under one roof SMEs with potential clients. The organisation of the workshops will take into account the local realities to ensure it has the bigger impact.
• Focused SME coaching and mentoring. SMEs that have expressed a keen interest (through the Web site) and are clearly motivated to set up or participate in a project (IP, STREP, CRAFT) will be offered coaching on a defined number of sessions.

With a view to improve and perpetuate the actions of the project, an evaluation of the services provided will be undertaken and a business case prepared to ensure it will have an impact beyond the life of the project.