Let’s learn from the best

How does PARP support the innovation of the Polish economy today?

We offer a wide range of support instruments. We are best known for programs such as the SMART Path, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises in conducting research and development activities and implementing their results.

Since last year, however, we have had a completely new instrument that combines innovation with building technological sovereignty. We are implementing the Critical Technologies Fund in Poland, identifying key technologies for maintaining the technological and production independence of the European Union. Thanks to this, Polish companies can receive support not only for the development and implementation of new technologies, but also for the construction of production facilities and infrastructure that will help increase the competitiveness of the European economy.

This is a unique opportunity. Over PLN 2 billion may be allocated to the implementation and development of technologies in the areas of digitalization, biotechnology, circular economy, and in the near future also defense, which is completely new in cohesion policy financing.

Competencies are a huge and – in the context of today’s conference on digitalization – particularly important area. We support both the management staff of small and medium-sized enterprises and their employees. We have a wide range of training courses, including the PARP Academy, whose participants have already obtained over 300,000. certificates. We currently offer over 80 e-learning training courses. We also run a Development Services Database, through which entrepreneurs can order training tailored to the needs of their employees and identified competence gaps indicated by sector competence councils.

We also launch dedicated training courses related to digitization, automation and the implementation of artificial intelligence. We will allocate nearly PLN 100 million for this type of activities. As research shows, competency gaps are today one of the main barriers in the implementation of AI, as well as in building the resilience of enterprises to digital threats. Cybersecurity issues are now coming to the fore.

Startups cannot be left out either. PARP actively supports the entire Polish startup ecosystem – from Innovator Laboratories, i.e. projects developed at the earliest stage, through a system of boosters and accelerators supporting companies in raising capital, acquiring first customers and international expansion, to participation in foreign missions and programs such as “Start-ups Are Us”. We also support small and medium-sized enterprises by organizing economic missions and participating in Polish pavilions and stands at international fairs.

In the digital area, we also offer tools that enable entrepreneurs to assess their own potential and level of digital maturity. Such a place is the PARP 4Digital portal, which allows you to both gain knowledge and test available solutions.

Well, the range is really very wide. And if we were to answer a more general question – what else should be changed in Poland to become a truly innovative economy? Looking at the examples of Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark, the most innovative economies in Europe, what are we still missing to join the leaders?

It’s good that we look at the best, because it’s worth learning from them and setting ambitious goals.

It is worth noting that this process is already taking place in Poland, although much slower than we would expect. We still lack sufficiently strong development impulses. Innovation processes, transfer of knowledge from universities to the economy and staff development already exist and benefit from public support, but the scale and effects of these activities are not yet satisfactory.

It seems to me that today we are at a point when we should be talking not only about funding and capital, of which there is more and more on the Polish market, but, above all, about systemic changes. Those that will more effectively bring scientific and academic communities closer to the world of economy. Perhaps both sides require reforms. We need a greater flow of knowledge and people between these environments, because it is mobility that builds lasting relationships, mutual trust and creates conditions for the effective implementation and development of technologies created at universities and commercialized in enterprises.