The SME Policy Index Project

Joint  EC, OECD and CEI funded Programme on the Implementation and follow-up of the Small Business Act (SBA) in the pre-accession region.

IDN is responsible to compile evaluation of the implementation of the Policy and the elaboration of the Small Business Act (SBA) Report for Serbia. The SME Policy Index covers ten policy dimensions of the SBA: Rewarding entrepreneurship and thriving family business; “Second chance” Bankruptcy rules; “Think Small First” principle; Responsive public administration; Adapted Public procurement and State Aid; Timely payments in commercial transactions/Access to Finance; Benefiting from a Single Market; Skills upgrading and innovation; Environment and SMEs and  SMEs and access to markets.

IDN is responsible to map, assess and evaluate the capacity of local actors in Kragujevac region in the following thematic areas: employment and skills development; social inclusion, entrepreneurship and enterprise creation and growth; and social inclusion; as well as in the overarching area of strategy and policy design and delivery. Tasks involve the following activities: A mapping of relevant local stakeholders; Conduction of semi-structured interviews with selected representatives of each actor/actors group; Analysis of the interviews and other relevant information and completion of the indicator grid; Preparation of an evaluation report on local capacity. 

1. Staff: Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2011 

Youth Entrepreneurial Service (YES Foundation)

YES Foundation runs a business incubator in Skopje, Macedonia for supporting youngentrepreneurs in the starting phase of their business, focusing on the ICT sector. YES works on stimulating entrepreneurship among youth and improving the local economic growth in the country. From year 2007 up until now, YES has supported 55 companies and help creating over 200 job opportunities.

 The organization offers pre- incubation services such as developing business idea, consulting services, entrepreneurial and ICT trainings and creation of business plan, incubation services such as well-equipped office space at affordable rents, use of common space, consulting services for all aspects of running a business, promotion of the clients, networking, matchmaking of the member companies with potential business partners etc. YES also offers virtual incubation, which includes all the services, mentioned excluding the office space.

YES is a CISCO Entrepreneur Institute and is licensed to provide trainings for Starting Business and iExec essentials. There is also a project implementation component and the organization has implemented over 25 projects in the field of entrepreneurship, fight against poverty and unemployment, social and corporate responsibility and rights of minorities and gender equally, from various donors such as EC, US embassy, Norwegian Embassy, SPARK, UNDP, USAID local donors etc.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan, Morten Westvik
2. Project period: 2005- 

The Foundation for Management and Industrial Research (MIR)

MIR was been established in 2002 by SINTEF, one of the largest R&D institutes in Europe. For six years MIR was the main local partner to SINTEF’s projects in Macedonia for support of SMEs in different fields such as: operations management, supply chain management, vocational training, support to start-ups, building academy-industry partnerships for transfer of technology and know-how, practically oriented seminars for SMEs and undergraduate and post-graduate students etc. Active involvement in the development and implementation of SINTEF’s projects has provided MIR with technical capacity and expertise in different management fields and with an extensive network of SME clients, strong partnership with the academic sector and other innovation and business related stakeholders in the country. Using the knowledge and methodologies developed by SINTEF and NTNU (Technical University in Trondheim), the Foundation has created its generic toolbox for support of SMEs and for facilitating the technology transfer between the academic and private sector.

With the support of SINTEF, the MIR started the initiative for establishing of so-called Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) in Macedonia, as part of large European network for trans-national technology transfer (TT). This initiative resulted in the establishment of European Information and Innovation Centre in Macedonia (EIICM), a centre that since 2008 operates in the scope of the largest business support network in the world – Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) ( www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa). EIICM is project based initiative funded by EU and the Government of R. Macedonia, implemented by national consortium of 4 partners, coordinated by the largest university in the country (Ss. Cyril and Methodius – UKIM) and with MIR as the leading TT partner. This project is of strategic importance for MIR, representing a corner-stone in its development and enabling positioning of MIR. as suitable partner for EU funded projects.

www.mir.org.mk

From 2010 IDN has taken over the SINTEF engagement in MIR and are now appointing the BoD. IDN and MIR have a strategic cooperation and senior staff from MIR are engaged as associates/experts in IDN projects.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2002- 

Process and Supplier Industry Development based on Natural Gas

Uzbekistan has chosen a path of gradual reforms aimed at social stability based on national independence, government control and self-sufficiency. However many independent indicators consistently rank Uzbekistan as a country with limited economic reform and freedom, persistent obstacles to private sector development and significant risks of corruption.

Recently some efforts have been made to reduce the scope for administrative interventions by reforming the inspections and permit regimes, reducing barriers to the registration of new businesses and tax code reforming.Three areas of major concern in Uzbekistan are governance, increased poverty and deeper structural reforms. There is a clear lack of policy dialogue between the private sector, the international community and the government. Uzbekistan has large natural gas reserves, but dependence of export through Russia reduces the export value. Therefore Uzbekistan has a strategy to increase the utilization of natural gas into high value products and develop a national supplier industry. However there are unclear conditions for development of private an independent SME sector. There are almost no economic relations between Uzbekistan and Norway. However there should be a potential for larger Norwegian companies in the gas, process and supplier industry. The main objective for the project is to identify and test the conditions for economic cooperation between Norway and Uzbekistan in the efforts to increase national utilization of natural gas and develop a national supplier industry. Main activities:

• Overview of industrial structure, strategies and conditions for international partners
• Identify conditions for private entrepreneurship and supplier industry development
• Workshop for development of joint cooperation model (2 day, Tashkent)
• Identify first priority needs from Uzbek Process Industry
• Identify Potential Norwegian Suppliers
• Matchmaking Workshop with participation from Norwegian companies (2 days, Tashkent)
• Final Report with recommendation

The project is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan, Cathrine Skonhoft , Morten Westvik
2. Project period: 2010-2011 

Evaluation of Norwegian Development Cooperation with Afghanistan

Norway has provided substantial development assistance to Afghanistan during the period 2001 – 2009. The Norwegian assistance amounting to NOK 4.6 billion has focused mainly on three sectors – education, community development and good governance including the judicial system’s ability to enforce rule of the law. In addition, the health sector also attracted some funding.

The main partners in the Norwegian assistance portfolio are the multilateral organization, followed by Norwegian NGOs, and Norwegian government to government twinning projects implemented by the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Norwegian Police Directorate.

The current Norwegian engagement has been anchored in the UN mandate, the Bonn Agreement 2001, the Afghanistan Compact that emerged from the London Conference on Afghanistan in 2006 and later conferences. A salient feature of the Norwegian engagement is the separation between the military and the developmental assistance components, although there is consensus about the mutual interdependence among the results of these two components.

The main purpose of this evaluation is to assess the contributions of the Norwegian development assistance to promote socio-economic conditions and sustainable peace through improvements in the capacity of the Afghan state and civil society to provide essential public services. The main focus shall be on education, community development, health and governance. Included herein is also an assessment of the coordination and coherence efforts made to deliver assistance to Afghanistan. The evaluation shall cover all Norwegian development assistance to Afghanistan, both through the bilateral and the multilateral channels.

The time period for the analysis will be from 2001 to the present. The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the prevailing DAC Evaluation Quality Standards. In addition, the evaluation should be relay on the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and the 2007 OECD guidelines for engagement in fragile situations where relevant.

Partners: IDN and Ecorys from the Netherlands as lead partner. Tender and contract organizer: NORAD

1. Staff: Cathrine Skonhoft , Mattias Tagseth
2. Project period:  

Joint Applied Research & Economic Cooperation (JAREC Kharkiv-Norway)

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen the Applied Research potential of Kharkov region with the special focus given to international oriented projects in the environmental and energy sector.

The project is based on the pilot performed by our staff in Kharkiv, financed by NMFA . The city was an important scientific and industrial centre in former Soviet Union, and much of the scientific capacity is intact, but the transition into an EU and market oriented framework for research is fare from finished Main tasks in the project are grouped in following components:

• Preparing, updating and disseminating Tailor-made Information Packages covering relevant policies, laws, regulations, funding
• Conducting the Trainings for the researchers in Applied Research Management and Business Development
• Screening of the available prospects in 3 categories: Technology Transfer, Market oriented Product Development, Solution Development and its further development projects in partnership between Kharkov and international partners

At present the project is realized on the small scale founded by private industry resources. Partners:  IDN, The North-Eastern Region Innovation & Development Center (NERIDC), Kharkov Technologies, SIVA and SINTEF

1. Staff: Anders Stølan, Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period:  

Analysis of Municipal Waste Water Treatment Market in Poland

The goal is to provide Salsnes Filters with the necessary background information needed to achieve the ambition settled for Polish market ie. become one on the main technology suppliers with significant sale volume on the municipal waste water treatment market.

The information provided within activities proposed below should give Salsnes good basis to understand the communal WWT market and have its comprehensive overview.

 Deliveries

• Preparation of the consulting engineering companies’ list.
• Preparation of contractor’s list.
• Preparation of municipal waste water treatment market analysis report.
• Identification of potential project initiatives.

Due to the available public funding mechanisms it would be valuable to identify 2-3 topics for further development in respect of Salsnes long term activities in Poland. The project is funded by Salsnes Filter AS

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Franciszek Mocek
2. Project period: 2011 

Waste Treatment Solutions for Serbian Meat Producer Sector

Serbian business delegation led by President Tadic, Minister of Trade and Director of Serbian Chamber of Commerce, visited Oslo in early May 2010. During the visit, a business forum and various individual meetings between companies have been organized. Norwegian companies dealing with waste management expressed the interest to develop cooperation with meat processing industry in Serbia.

The Norwegian companies consider Serbia to be a very attractive market for their technology. On the other side, the Serbian meat processing industry is looking for international partners in order to upgrade its waste treatment technology. This project is proposed in order to facilitate follow up of the activities initiated during this event. The overall goalof the project is to contribute to increasing the maturity level of the Serbian meat processing industry and increase competitiveness for better positioning on the international market, in accordance with international requirements within targeted industry. 

This is to be achieved through the use of the following instruments

• Develop capacities and awareness of Serbian companies related to waste treatment technology/solutions and possibilities/opportunities.
• Exchange of knowledge and business skills between Serbian and Norwegian companies.
• Development of business partnerships, which foster transfer of technology
• Raise awareness of the local community (i.e. local authorities) on the waste treatment importance and solutions

Project partners

• International Development Norway, – project applicant and project manager;
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Serbia.
• Association “Inno Focus”, Serbia (IDN Norway is the main founder of business association “Inno Focus” in Serbia)

The project stakeholders that have interest for resolution of the waste treatment problems in meat industry will be municipalities from the south-east Serbia. As the Consortia member of EEN Serbia, Serbian Chamber of Commerce will also use EEN Serbia, with its strong network among companies.  Project stakeholders that have a strong network among Norwegian companies, will be:

• Oslo Chamber of Commerce;
• EEN Norway;
• Green Business Norway.

The project is funded by the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan, Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2011-2012 

Entrepreneurship Development & Business Acceleration between Norway - Cuba

The pilot project seeks to develop a platform for “Entrepreneurship development in Cuba & Business Acceleration between Norway – Cuba”, this within selected sector(s). The overall idea is to build local knowledge and insight about Cuban business environment, cultural and organisational aspects and risks, knowledge that can support and assist in the bilateral development.

Thereby participate in the development of the Cuban private sector at policy and operational framework, based on the Norwegian partnership model; Government versus Academia versus Industry, which has proven to be a successful model for socioeconomic development.

Background

Within the global economy there are a few countries that have developed an economic and political system that have been fully or partly excluded from the global economy. Among these countries are Cuba, it has been under US sanctions since the Cuba crises in early 1960’s. With recent changes in the political structures, the regime has highlighted the need for political and economic reform. President Barack Obama stated in April 2009 that he wanted a new beginning with Cub. Russia is also seeking to revitalize its economic cooperation after the Soviet collapse.

In preparation for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) in Mexico in November/December 2010, Minister of Development Aid Erik Solheim signed an agreement in Havana for the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest among others aquaculture, petroleum legislation, the environment and mitigation of natural catastrophes. In May 2011, the Vice Minister Ingri Fiskaa from the Ministry of Development Aid signed four agreements; among others to establish a formal framework for G-to-G consultations, to promote development aid programmes that makes it easier for Norwegian organisations to collaborate with Cuban counterparts, to cooperation in aquaculture development and to promote oil for development projects in Cuba.

Organization

The project is conducted by Morten H Westvik, MARINTEK and Carla Dahl-Jørgensen, Department of Social Anthropology, NTNU, in cooperation with International Development Norway AS.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan, Marit Lehmann, Morten Westvik
2. Project period: 2011-2012 

WEEEZO - Managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

The Polish-Norwegian partnership for knowledge transfer in management of the waste electrical and electronic equipment in Poland, with particular attention to provinces: Mazowieckie and Slaskie (WEEEZO).

WEEEZO project is focused on dissemination and transfer of knowledge and best practices in the area of managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Its main objective is to support businesses and local government units in range of knowledge and technology transfer of WEEE waste management. The project offers free of charge services :

• Seeking and promoting technology in accordance with defined clients needs.
• Technology audits. Performing assessment of a technological potential of the company and its ability to adapt new technologies.
• Match-making. Matching the offered technology with a requested one trough the web-based system
• Business meetings – Organization of business meetings for the companies / institutions involved in WEEE management and processing (utilization), especially in the framework of brokerage events and national fairs.
• Training –Provision of trainings related to new available technologies, finance and innovation in reference to WEEE.

All services provided under the project are free of charge. Project participants can count on professional help in seeking of innovative solutions not available on Polish market, advice in funding possibilities and its further implementation. SINTEF, which is the Project Contractor entrusted to IDN full responsibility for the implementation of the Project WEEEZO.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Franciszek Mocek, Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period: 2010-2012 

Environmental Technology Transfer - Mazowsze

Development the methods of technology transfer in the field of environmental protection in the region of Mazowsze.

The Project is supported by the EEA and Norway Grants scheme therefore the overall goal of the project is to contribute to bilateral relations between Polish and Norwegian entities. The main goal of the Project is develop the optimal technology transfer model, which could be applied in Poland on the basis of the Norwegian best practices in that field.

The respective areas for the Project are Mazovia and Trøndelag and in regard to the field of interest the focus shall be kept on the environmental protection issues. The level of innovation is quite low in respected area, still in Poland scientific knowledge has been recognized as a key input factor leading to innovation, business development, and wealth creation, but there is not much done to support the technology transfer process and the science itself. In this area we experience the support provided by international donors as EU of EEA. National grant schemes are far insufficient for the needs. This project shall be considered as the chance to create a platform of exchange and business relations for both Norwegian and Polish institutes dealing with the environmental technologies.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Franciszek Mocek, Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period: 2010-2012 

Improved Competitiveness and Innovation - Serbia

The  Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project (ICIP) provides assistance to the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development (MoERD) and the National Agency for Regional Development (NARD). ICIP is a 30 month long project with total value of 3 Million EURO and was launched in May 2010.

The primary purpose of the project is to improve the quality, range and availability of business support services for the SME sector in Serbia and to support a business environment and associated institutional capacity that will foster the development of innovative and competitive SMEs. The SME sector in Serbia employs a million people and this project recognizes the essential role that they will play in the economic prosperity of the country, as well as its regional economic development. In launching ICIP the MOERD reflects the goals of both Small Business Act for Europe to improve business environment for small enterprises and the Strategy EUROPE 2020 for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

IDN staff will be involved in the assessments and capacity building of Business and Innovation Support Organizations in Serbia. Project homepage: www.icip-serbia.org

1. Staff: Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2009-2012 

ESD Romania - PRODINCOM

The project is a sub-project under ESD Romania funded by Norway Grants and administrated by Innovation Norway. The project promoter and project beneficiary will jointly integrate the plans for the services and investments into one joint Project Implementation Plan. Project partners are SINTEF (lead) and ECOIND. IDN have leased out Project Manager and other experts to SINTEF.

The services provided by SINTEF and ECOIND intent to consist of the following main activities:

• Analysis of technological options for the waste treatment in the food industry.
• Support for measurement, analysis and evaluation of the performance of the aquired equipment.
• Evaluation of the environmental benefits of the investment.
• Support for evaluating incinerator efficiency (costs of heat energy generated)
• Identify/evaluate investment economical, social impacts. 
• Investigating options for sustainable business models/development for the future.

The intent was to focus the investments on state of the art equipment and solutions for developing the meat producing facility. Among the acquisitions is a state-of-the-art incinerator for organic waste (mainly meat and bones from meat processing facility). The incinerator will have the capability of sustain combustion using organic waste and a system of recovering the heat generated in preparing hot water for use in the meat processing technology of the company. The equipment will comply with all legal norms and regulation in force in EU / Romania for the type of waste processed.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

ESD Romania - RITMIC

The project overall goal is to deliver customized state-of-the-art Norwegian and Romanian environmental R&D based technology.

SC RITMIC SRL Romania needs help in following areas:

• Cost and added value estimates for processing of the wooden waste.
• Energy and material balance for wooden waste processing in the briquetting facility.
• Implementation of selected environmental Technology, and Insight into Norwegian approach to cleaner, environmentally friendly forest exploitation and wooden waste treatment.
• Investment in and upgrading the state of the art solution for collecting wooden waste from forests, river banks, country roads, etc. in the purpose of cleaning the environment and transport the wooden waste to a special processing facility.

Project partners are SINTEF (lead) and ECOIND. IDN have leased out Project Manager and other experts to SINTEF. ‘The project is a sub-project under ESD Romania funded by Norway Grants and administrated by Innovation Norway.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

ESD ROMANIA – PROAIRCLEAN

The project overall goal is to deliver customized state-of-the-art Norwegian and Romanian environmental R&D based technology.

ProAirClean needs unique help in following areas:

• Calibration and optimization of GC+MS (Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) installation.
• PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyl) disposal and recycling methods.
• Implement company specific environmental Technology.
• Investments in state of the art equipments and solutions for PCB hazardous waste treatment.

Project partners are SINTEF (lead) and ECOIND. IDN have leased out Project Manager and other experts to SINTEF. ‘The project is a sub-project under ESD Romania funded by Norway Grants and administrated by Innovation Norway.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

ESD ROMANIA - DIREX

The project overall goal is to deliver customized state-of-the-art Norwegian and Romanian environmental R&D based technology.

DIREX needs unique help related to a car painting shop with high environmental performances. There is a need for a high performance wastewater treatment module for wastewater generated by the workshop and personnel. Furthermore there is to be installed a ventilation system sufficient to protect the personnel in the workshop and acquiring lifting equipment with a closed circuit system for collecting used lubricants extracted from car engines. DIREX needs assistance to:

• Comparison of the DIREX painting technologies to the Best Available Techniques at EU level.
• Air sampling and analysis in the Workshop.
• Water source analysis, for pits existing on the DIREX platform.
• Wastewater sampling and analysis before and after the treatment in the wastewater treatment module.
• Comparison of water quality results with existing Romanian and/or EU norms.
• Support for establishing material balances in the workshop.
• Recommendations for complying to relevant environmental regulations.
• Policy and ways of reducing water consumption in the Workshop.
• Policy and ways for personnel health and safety protection.
• Recommendations for future sustainable and environmentally sound development of the DIREX business.

Project partners are SINTEF (lead) and ECOIND. IDN have leased out Project Manager and other experts to SINTEF. ‘The project is a sub-project under ESD Romania funded by Norway Grants and administrated by Innovation Norway.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

Renovation of public houses in Ukmerges and Kazul Rudos municipalities

Economically and environmentally sustainable renovation methodology creation for public houses in Ukmerges and Kazul Rudos municipalities.

The project was financed in the framework of EEA Grants in Lithuania, under the call “Transfer of Experience and Strengthening of Cooperation among Local, Regional and Euroregional Partners in Lithuania and Norway.

The main goal of Project for both municipalities was to elaborate the sustainable renovation methodology (presenting and analyzing districts public buildings current situation, analyzing needs for renovation, suggestions for sustainable renovation, etc.) also assuring right renovation solutions selection for future renovations, sustainable renovation, decreasing of pollution, prolonged useful building serving time.

IDN acted on behalf of SINTEF, which provided the expertise and knowledge on the passive buildings technologies into the Project.

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Franciszek Mocek, Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period: 2010-2011 

Assessment of EEA funded health project in Krosno

Assessment of the EEA funded project “Obtaining synergy effect through simultaneous implementation of the health prevention, health promotion program and the comprehensive prenatal care program”. 

The Project ‘Obtaining Synergy Effect through Simultaneous Implementation of the health Prevention Programme and the Comprehensive Perinatal Care Programme ’ has been realized by the  in the period 2008-2011. The financial sources for project implementation were granted in the second call of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and European Economic Area Mechanism announced in Poland in 2007.

The Project is to fulfil a general aim which is connected with the improvement of physical and mental health among children and adolescents, and with the increase in awareness concerning health. The effect of synergy is planned to be achieved by combining three different modules.

The first module covers prophylaxis to be carried out among children and adolescents attending to schools in Krosno.

The second module refers to improving knowledge about health and health concerning issues. The third module focuses on the improvement of the perinatal health.

Fjell Kommune was invited to the project as the partner providing the expertise and experience in the field of healthcare. IDN is supporting Fjell Kommune in its performed tasks and cooperation with Polish partner.

1. Staff: Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period: 2010-2011 

Assessment of NATO Trust Fund Project

Assessment on the economic, security and social impact of the “Project for Assistance to discharged Defense Personnel within the Scope of Defense Sector Reform in Serbia”.

The IDN staff is involved in preparation of the Assessment on the economic, security and social impact of the “Project for Assistance to discharged Defense Personnel within the Scope of Defense Sector Reform in Serbia”. The Project is implemented as “participatory or collaborative evaluation” which implies joint team and close collaboration between the Evaluator and representatives of the stakeholder (IOM project management and project staff).

The Project combines theoretical and practical approach and several methods for measuring impact of the project, i.e. quasi-experimental designs and implicit evaluation designs. Lead Partner is International Organization for Migration and the project funded by NATO Trust Fund. Project homepage: http://www.iomntfserbia.org

1. Staff: Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2008-2011 

Environmental Knowledge and Information Systems

Protection of the Environment through development of knowledge and information system.

The project was funded trough Polish Norwegian Research Fund. The goal of the Project was to organize an international conference on the various aspects of the environmental information – the access to it and tools which enable its use to the citizens, local authorities, entrepreneurs – especially regarding the legal framework of environmental problems and best available technologies.

The workshop was also considered as a meeting platform and starting point for the forthcoming EEA mechanism 2010-2014 The conference was successfully accomplished in June 2010.  

1. Staff: Agnieszka Banrowska, Franciszek Mocek, Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk
2. Project period: 2010-2011 

Enterprise Competitiveness and Export Promotion

The project “Support to Enterprise Competitiveness and Export Promotion” has an objective to improve the competitiveness of Serbian SMEs through cluster development, supply chain development and internationalisation.

The IDN staff is involved in the following project activities

Qualitative mapping of Serbian clusters involves investigating a cluster’s strengths and weaknesses together with its interactions and position in a municipality’s or district’s economy (or the cluster ‘dynamic’) The methodology used is six factor cluster diamond analysis.

Review the Law on Associations to establish structure and identity’ for a cluster. Work with one of the clusters to successfully undertake the ‘cluster registration’ process, assist in the process of establishing the Association of clusters in Serbia, prepare and publish Guidelines for Establishing Clusters in Republic of Serbia, including the process and procedure, comparative analysis and short recommendation if and how to include cluster registration in Company Law.

Partners are International Development Ireland (lead) and SINTEF and with IDN as sub-contractor. The project is initiated and funded by Europaid. Project homepage: http://www.secep.rs/

1. Staff: Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

Kosovo ICT Innovation HUB - Concept Study

Many initiatives for establishing incubator, but no complete concept presented by serious and experienced institution.

The project will focus on how to build on and cooperate with existing Norwegian project/efforts in Kosovo, like the ICT association STIKK and the vocational education/school project.

The main objective is to identify the external conditions, select suitable stakeholders and a concept for establishing an commercial Innovation HUB i Kosovo and based on this make proposal for a 3 years implementation project.

The overall goal for a commercial Innovation HUB in Kosovo should be job creation based on commercial business ideas with significant growth potential, accelerated by the incubator services including adequate access to financial capital and international partners.ovo) as Lead partner was Leiv Eirikson Nyskaping and with STIKK (ICT Association Kosiovo) as local partner. The project was funded by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2010 

Innovation HUB for ICT business in Macedonia

The main objective is to identify the external conditions and a joint platform between the three partners for establishing a commercial ICT incubator in Skopje, including development of business concept/model and finally an implementation plan.

The overall goal for a commercial ICT incubator in Skopje should be job creation based on commercial business ideas with significant growth potential, accelerated by the incubator services including adequate access to financial capital and international partners.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2010 

Micro Combined Cooling Heating Power (mCCHP)

The project will develop new alternative solution for obtaining electricity, heat and cold using traditional resources (wood), renewable energy (biomass) and solar energy for specific South-East region of Romania.

The proposed system is mCCHP-SE (micro Combined Cooling Heat and Power – with Stirling Engine) and is composed of a heat generator – heat solar collector – Stirling motor – electric generator – storage battery – static inverter. An electronic subsystem that has a logical program for monitoring, protection, command is used for optimal administrations for renewable energy and solar energy for consumers in isolated area (and/or no electrified).

Project’s main objective is to achieve a mCCHP-SE system for consumers in isolated area (and/or no electrified), country areas and city periphery as a durable alternative for their daily residential comfort.

1. Staff: Anders Stølan
2. Project period: 2009-2011 

Supporting SMEs to become more competitive in EU Market

Being competitive nowadays does not necessarily mean to be the cheapest – but to be the “best” value option for clients, customers and consumers, as well as taking the best competitive positioning versus competitors.

Selling more, delivering better products and services and producing more efficiently are the goals to achieve; and Innovation is the means for progressing on this path. As Albania is on its way towards the European Union, the EU is supporting the Albanian Government in its efforts to create and strengthen modern and more innovative entrepreneurship through the Project  “Supporting SMEs to become more competitive in the EU market”.

The overall objective is to increase competitiveness of the private sector, and provide a healthy business environment for investment and employment. The project is implemented by a consortium led by IDI – International Development Ireland, in cooperation with SINTEF Group of Norway. IDN is subcontracted by SINTEF. A budget of approximately 2.2 million Euros has been allocated to implement the project. The project is to be delivered over the period from October 2009 to October 2011. Project homepage: www.eu-sme.al

1. Staff: Tatjana Volarev
2. Project period: 2010-2012 

The Foundation Open Society

The Foundation Open Society – Macedonia (FOSM) mission is integration of Macedonia within as a prerequisite for EU integration.   

FOSM was founded in 1992 as a foreign entity representative office, and in 1999 as a national legal entity – foundation, in accordance with the Law on Associations of Citizens and Foundations. FOSM is part of the Soros network in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dedicated to the promotion of an open society, FOSM initiates supports and implements a wide spectrum of programs. The Foundation addresses its objectives by:

• providing grants, awards, loans and other types of financial support on a one-time or continuing basis to individuals and legal entities that engage in activities consistent with the FOSM mission.
• implementing operational programs for the promotion of innovative ideas and for the development and growth of individuals and legal entities having activities relative to the FOSM mission, and
• performing other humanitarian and development activities that the Founder and the Managing Board may find adequate for fulfilling the FOSM mission.

Albanian Investment Development Agency

The main objectives of  Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) consist of attracting foreign investment, increasing the competitiveness of the Albanian economy through supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and innovation.

AIDA was established and operates under the Law No. 10303, dated on 15 July, 2010 “On the Establishment and organization of the Albanian Investment Development Agency”.  

AIDA-s direct contribution to the economic development of the country is emphasized through:

• Facilitating and supporting direct investments in Albania
• Increasing the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)
• Promoting and providing assistance to exports of goods and services

AIDA offers for the foreign and domestic investors, comprehensive support for their investment projects. AIDAs qualified staff, not only assists with market analysis and potential sectors for investment, but also with advice on finding suitable properties and locations, as well as assistance on finding identifying new and existing projects.

AIDA also offers additional aftercare services aiming to successfully fulfill the demands of foreign investors even after the successful completion of projects.

Visit www.aida.gov.al

Institute of Mechanised Construction and Rock Mining

The Institute was established in 1951. It is a state research and development body operating in the field of mechanized construction, industrial automation and the construction industry, mechanical engineering and safety, construction equipment and rock mining machinery, waste management and recycling, information science, technical and economic information.

The Institute has highly qualified researchers and testing and engineering staff as well as unique specialized laboratories, testing facilities and benches with modern, high quality measurement and testing equipment.

Scope of research and development activities:

• mechanics of earth moving, construction, road-building, handling machinery and equipment;
• mechanics of rock material mining and processing;
• rational waste management systems and solutions taking into consideration ecology and techniques and technologies of rational waste management;
• eco-development and environmental management in processing raw materials and recycling of waste and recovery of valuable waste components;
• ergology, and in particular protection of man against noise and vibration, smoke and dust pollution;
• operational safety of machines and equipment;
• industrial and product standardization;
• information activity forecasting, including regulatory, economic and organizational aspects.

The Institute is authorized by relevant state authorities to (among others):

• test and assess the quality of rock material and rock processed products, perform environmental and waste management assessments;
• grant product safety certificates to manufacturers;
• grant product certificates of conformity with a Polish Standard or other reference document;
• quality systems certification for conformity with ISO 9001:2000;
• certification of waste management services;
• coordinate, control and train operators of earth-moving, building, road-building and other machines and equipment and maintain a central register of issued licenses;
• confer PhD degrees (in the field of mechanical engineering and operation);
• apply for awarding the professor degree.

Visit www.imbigs.org.pl

Salsnes Filter AS

Salsnes Filter’s patented filter technology for wastewater treatment and effluent treatment is leading the Norwegian market in municipal primary treatment.

The food industry, the paper industry, fish farming and the cruise industry use the fully-automated treatment technology to treat effluent, secure good quality of incoming water or to improve utilization of raw materials. Salsnes Filter is also a competitive alternative to a primary settling stage for a traditional chemical/biological treatment facility or preventing MBR fouling.

The company runs its operation from Namsos in Norway. Activities within the Norwegian and international market are coordinated from here along with the operation of domestic projects including total delivery with training and service.

Salsnes Filter serves the foreign market through cooperation partners with classified distribution agent contracts. The company currently has contacts over the whole world and formalized agreements in Africa, South America, Mexico USA/Canada, Australia/New Zealand, Asia and large parts of Europe. With the exception of South Africa that has a license for production, production and product development, production and production development is at Salsnes (the place).

Visit www.salsnes-filter.no

Kharkov Technologies

KHARKOV TECHNOLOGIES – CENTER OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

Assistance to technology-oriented entrepreneurship, commercialization of science intensive domestic developments and development of innovation activity in Ukraine.

Directions of activity:    

• provision of services and capacities of the Innovation Business Incubator;
• training courses in the sphere of innovation business;
• financial support of innovation projects;
• consultancy services (development of innovation projects and business plans, marketing research, establishment of companies);
• participation in international projects of entrepreneurship promotion.

KHARKOV offers:

• consulting;
• business incubation;
• international projects;
• promotion of science and innovations;
• additional education: trainings, seminars.

Visit www.kt.kharkov.ua  

GFA Consulting Group

GFA Consulting Group has a sound track record of providing effective solutions to the challenges in the global consulting market. Based in Hamburg, the company has implemented complex studies and projects in over 130 countries since 1982.

Leading development agencies, ministries and public clients have entrusted GFA with helping them to manage projects financed through bilateral and multilateral funds. Working in cooperation with stakeholders in government, the private sector, NGOs and citizens’ groups, GFA balances innovation and reliability to meet local needs.

The company’s international recognition as a dependable partner is incorporated in a set of values which focuses on performance, innovation, credibility and quality.

GFA Consulting Group provides outstanding services in strategic business areas which result from adapting to market developments. This change process is supported by GFA offices, units and subsidiaries worldwide. Hence, new themes are continuously integrated into the existing GFA portfolio.

Project and program management as GFA’s core service encompasses planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. This is supplemented by feasibility and sector studies, and fund management.

Visit www.gfa-group.de  

ECORYS

Ecorys is one of the oldest research and consulting companies in Europe. In the summer of 2012 it will celebrate our 83rd anniversary.

Ecorys history dates back to 1929, when a group of businessmen from Rotterdam established the Foundation The Netherlands Economic Institute (NEI). Poverty relief and other social issues were regarded as important social and economic problems. During the ’90s, Ecorys’ expertise proved important with regards to the growth of the EU and reformation processes in countries in Middle and Eastern Europe. To be able to cope with globalization and in order to stay competitive, NEI developed into a pan European company. Offices were established in Brussels and Moscow.

In 1999 NEI merged with Kolpron Consultants. In 2000 the diversification and internationalization was continued by merging with the British company ECOTEC Research and Consulting, specializing in social policy. The name Ecorys was chosen as new name for the Group.

Visit www.ecorys.com

International Organization for Migration

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

With 146 member states, a further 13 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.

IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:

• Migration and development
• Facilitating migration
• Regulating migration
• Forced migration.

IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.

Visit www.iom.int

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

The mission of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. It works with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyses and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the safety of chemicals. 

Drawing on facts and real-life experience, OECD recommends policies designed to make the lives of ordinary people better. Organization works with business, through the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, and with labor, through the Trade Union Advisory Committee.

Visit www.oecd.org  

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The essential task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to work for Norway’s interests internationally: to safeguard the country’s freedom, security and prosperity.

The best way to promote Norway’s interests is to cooperate with like-minded countries. The Ministry also works to promote peace and security, an international legal system, an economically just world order and sustainable development. Finding a solution to issues of this kind is in Norway’s interests too, while at the same time efforts in these areas are an expression of international solidarity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 106 foreign service missions, which include embassies, permanent delegations and general consulates, together make up the Foreign Service. The Foreign Service is an international, knowledge-based organisation, currently made up of 1400 people, of whom 770 are Ministry employees. At the foreign service missions, 630 staff members posted from Norway work alongside around 900 locally employed staff. With its eight departments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the largest ministry in the Norwegian government administration.

Visit www.regjeringen.no

Innovation Norway

Innovation Norway is the Norwegian Government’s most important instrument for innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry. It supports companies in developing their competitive advantage and to enhance innovation.

Norwegian enterprises have access to a broad business support system as well as financial means. Innovation Norway provides competence, advisory services, promotional services and network services. The marketing of Norway as a tourist destination is also considered one of the organizations important tasks.

By combining local industry knowledge and international networks with the business ideas and the motivation of entrepreneurs, the foundation for new successful businesses is created.

Innovation Norway contributes to:

• Enhancing innovation in Norwegian enterprises and industry
• Building competitive Norwegian enterprises at both domestic and international markets
• Promoting Norwegian enterprises
• Promoting Norway as an attractive tourist destination
• Securing development in rural areas
• Transforming ideas into successful business cases
• Promote interaction between enterprises, knowledge communities and R&D institutions

Innovation Norway is the Norwegian government’s official trade representative abroad and it aims to assist Norwegian businesses grow and find new markets.

Visit www.innovasjonnorge.no

SIVA

SIVA – The Industrial Development Corporation of Norway is the governmental corporation and national instrument founded in 1968. SIVA aims to develop strong regional and local industrial clusters through ownership in infrastructure, investment and knowledge networks as well as innovation centers.

The goal is improvement of national infrastructure for innovation. SIVA’s main objective is to contribute to the achievement of the Norwegian government’s policy goals in remote areas, and within this framework contributes to unleash innovation capability and increase wealth creation in all parts of the country.

The enterprise is organized in main areas Real Estate, Innovation, Industry and International. Special tasks are organized separately. SIVA corporation has ownership in 150 companies in total. This includes subsidiary companies and attached companies.

Visit www.siva.no 

Leiv Eiriksson Nyskaping AS

Leiv Eiriksson Nyskaping AS is an integrated innovation network assisting start-up companies and budding entrepreneurs through consulting, courses and investor networks.

It follows companies and clusters from day one and help them grow into sustainable enterprises. LEN AS will assist the client at every step along the way, from the idea stage and inception to business development and commercialization.

Its experienced advisors will assist anyone considering starting up a business. A customer will get minimum two hours of free consulting, including a viability assessment. LEN also conduct basic training courses open and free of charge to all budding entrepreneurs.

Visit www.len.no

The Warsaw University of Technology

The Warsaw University of Technology is one of the leading institutes of technology in Poland, and one of the largest in Central Europe.

It employs 2,453 teaching faculty, with 357 professors (including 145 titular professors).The student body numbers 36,156 (as of 2011), mostly full-time. There are 17 faculties (divisions) covering almost all fields of science and technology. All are situated in Warsaw, except for one in Płock.

The origins of Warsaw University of Technology date back to 1826 when engineering education was begun in Warsaw Institute of Technology

www.pw.edu.pl

IDN has cooperated with The Warsaw University of Technology since 2005 in different EEA project.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is Norway’s primary institution for educating the nation’s future engineers and scientists. The university also has strong programmes in the social sciences, teacher education, the arts and humanities, medicine, architecture and fine art.

With 20,000 students studying a range of disciplines in seven different faculties, NTNU is alive with the intellectual energy of people pursuing their dreams.

Whether your passion is ship design or medical research , virtual reality or urban renewal in China , NTNU has something for you. NTNU is Norway’s second largest university, with an annual budget of about US $800 million. Its 53 departments are spread out over seven major campuses, and graduate about 3,300 students every year, two-thirds of which are master’s or PhD candidates. The university has more than 100 laboratory facilitiesdistributed among the different faculties and departments. These are central elements in NTNU’s education and research work. 

Visit ntnu.edu »

UZINFOINVEST

Information Support & Foreign Investments Promotion Agency (UZINFOIVEST) was established by the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with the primary purpose of providing a one-stop informational and all other possible support to foreign investors in Uzbekistan. Agency is an independent institution (legal entity) under the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade. 

http://www.uzinfoinvest.uz/

ECOIND

The National Research and Development Institute forIndustrial Ecology (ECOIND) has 25 years of experience in the field of environmental protection. The headquarter and main laboratories are located inBucharestand with branch units inTimisoaraand Ramnicu Valcea, and  with about 175 employees totally. The main activities are connected with environmental technologies, pollution assessment, pollution control and monitoring for water, air andsoil. The activity is developed in national and international programs of research and also by direct contracts with publicand private companies.

ECOIND was our main partner in the ESD project in Romania 2009-2011.

http://www.incdecoind.ro

Agnieszka Banrowska

M.Sc in Environmental Protection, graduate of Faculty of Environmental Engineering Warsaw University of Technology and International Master of Business Administration Warsaw University of Technology Business School. Professional experience from: – scientific work and fact finding, – administration work at governmental level, – teaching at university level, – NGO’s initiatives. Main fields of competence and skills: – environmental assessments and revives, – environmental information, – technology transfer, – project application preparation and budgeting, – project management and accounting, – economics of environmental protection, – e-learning and distance working, – management, marketing and finance in environmental engineering.

1. Position:Environmental Manager
2. Location:Poland
3. Mobile:+48 696 075 696
4. E-mail:agnieszka.banrowska@id-norway.com

Anders Stølan

M.Sc at the Norwegian Institute of Technology. International experience in project development, management and realization. Long term expertise in heading the organizational units working internationally, Knowledge of an integrated technical-economic planning, capacity planning and Economics of Infrastructure, Expertise in designing and implementation of regional economic-demographic models.

1. Position: CEO/President
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile: +47 92442175
4. E-mail: Anders.Stolan@id-norway.com

Cathrine Skonhoft

Cand.Polit (master) in geography at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Several years international experience within the field of relief and development from UN and international NGOs in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Expertise in project management, project development and implementation, external affairs, donor relations, coordination and partnership building.

1. Position: Accociate
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile:+47 91593709

Franciszek Mocek

M.Sc in Environmental Protection, graduate of Warsaw University of Technology. Main fields of competence and skills: – environmental assessments and revives, – environmental information, – technology transfer, – waste management, – economics of environmental protection, – e-learning and distance working.

1. Position: Project Assistant
2. Location: Poland
3. Mobile: +48 696 193 131
4. E-mail: Franciszek.Mocek@id-norway.com

Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska

Master of Science (MSc) on Mechanical Engineering from Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje.
Specialist in the fields of Technology & Innovation Transfer, Innovation Policy and Economic Development with more than 9 years of experience in sustainable development. More than 7 years of experience in design and delivery of specialized advisory services and capacity building programmes in the fields of business support, new technologies, access to finance, intelligent energy, environmental services and export promotion.
Proven knowledge of the EU RTD programmes and cooperation with different research stakeholders (Macedonia, Serbia). Active participation in the development of innovation policy and consultation on different RTDI analyses and programmes in Macedonia.
Extensive experience in design and delivery of training programmes in the field of RTD funding, including EU RTD programmes (FP7, COST, Eureka), innovation financing, IPR, project life cycle. Delivery of training programmes to different stakeholders like governmental organisations, academia and business community.
More than 7 years of experience in supporting different organisations to participate in different RTD funding instruments, both national and European. Supported numerous institutions in project preparation, negotiation with EC and overall implementation of RTD projects in Macedonia.
Experience in setting up technology transfer centres (Macedonia, Serbia) responsible for providing support to transnational technology transfer services and commercialisation of RTD results. Further expertise arises from practical involvement in the Enterprise Europe Network in Macedonia as a project manager for TT services including identifying potential technology offers or requests, organisation of partnering events, networking of innovation support organisations, consultancy on IPR, assessment of projects with research potential and RTD funding, technology audits, innovation watch, and networking on national, regional and European level. Excellent knowledge of the innovation and research related conditions in the region.
Practical experience and knowledge in design of Terms of Reference, guides and work programmes, technical and administrative procedures, EC project guidelines and reporting and has been responsible for preparation of several projects under different EU programmes (CIP, FP7, TEMPUS, IPA, and EuropeAid) and for evaluation of different EU funded projects (including FP7) as an external expert for the EC. Additional experience gained through the implementation and monitoring of RTD related projects.
Extended management skills at different levels: project management, executive skills (executive director of the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research – MIR http://www.mir.org.mk), working groups (national and regional) and in the private sector. 9 years of practice in SME development, technology transfer, research and commercialisation of RTD results.

Katarzyna Anna Kazimierczuk

Graduate from International Relations faculty at the University of Wrocław , Administration at Law and Administration Faculty in at the University of Warsaw in progress. International experience in development, management and implementation of projects related to the technology transfer, innovation and SME support, funded by public mechanism, mainly of EU Structural Funds and EEA FM projects. Expertise in feasibility studies, application and tendering documentation Experience in running commercial entities in international environment.

1. Position: Project Director
2. Location: Poland
3. Mobile: +48 696 075 553
4. E-mail: katarzyna.a.kazimierczuk@id-norway.com

Ljupco Despotovski

Master in Entrepreneurship, Economic Institute Skopje. Director of YES Foundation in Skopje. More than 8 years of experience in business incubator management. Project Manager in several EU project related to entrepreneurship and innovation. Responsible for development and implementation of Global Entrepreneurial Week in Skopje since 2009.

Manlu Yu

Manlu Yu currently is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering of North Dakota State University (NDSU), USA and conducting her research at Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The expected completion date is August 2013. She received her Master degree in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Tennessee in the US and Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Northeastern University in China.
She has been studying and working in the biomass and bioenergy processing field for ten years, and has participated in biomass and bioenergy projects in the US, including the Bioenergy Conversion project with Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), Department of Energy (DOE) and USDA, Renewable Energy Program with North Dakota Energy Commission. She has multiply attended American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) international annual meetings, in addition of the conference papers and the presentations, Submitted papers were published in the journals of “biomass and bioenergy”, “Bioresource Technology”, and “Transactions of the ASABE”. The earlier years of working experiences in the mechanical engineering and academic field in both China and Sweden built up her solid ground towards to the biomass and bioenergy processing study.
Her research emphasis has been on “Preprocess Engineering and Quality Issues of Biomass Feedstocks for Biofuel Industry”, including the following aspects:
• Evaluate biomass mechanical characteristics; stress and energy
• Predict the size reduction energy from the biomass mechanical characteristics.
• Mathematical models development for predicting biomass hydration characteristics in efficient biomass storage.
• Biomass thermal characterization through thermo-gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis
• Biomass densification and effect of pelleting and pretreatment
• Biomass physical properties and quality
• Machine vision and computer applications in agricultural engineering
• Energy processing for biofuel industry development
• Affected woody biomass utilization pathways
• Size reduction and separation of biomass
• Thermal processing and energy densification of biomass
• Economic aspects of biomass preprocessing and delivery

Marija Vujovic

Experienced manager in private commercial, development aid and education sectors, with emphases on organization, people management and backstopping at the EU funded projects. Covering a wide range of operational activities from translation / interpretation to (training and dissemination) event organisation and management, to recruiting and mobilizing consultants, preparing training courses and managing stakeholder relationships. Fully familiar with all aspects of managing inter-disciplinary project teams on complex international consulting projects. Spearhead organizational support and planning of technical trainings across key project areas, including 1) Cluster strategy and support, 2) Internationalization, and 3) Supplier Development. Managing local and expatriate recruitment hire process.

1. Position:Project Officer
2. Location:Serbia
3. Mobile:
4. E-mail:Marija.Vujovoc@id-norway.com

Marit Lehmann

M.Sc. in social anthropology and B.Sc. in Development Studies at the University of Oslo. The fieldworks for the Master thesis and Bachelor thesis were conducted in Cuba and India, respectively. Marit’s academic interests lie in the informal sector of developing societies; the Master thesis focuses particularly on poor Cuban youth’ entrepreneurial practices in a cash-strapped economy. Marit has much experience from the Latin-American region, Central-America and Cuba in particular, and has lived and worked in Cuba.

1. Position:Senior Advisor
2. Location:Norway
3. Mobile:+47 41414196
4. E-mail:Marit.Lehmann@id-norway.com

Mattias Tagseth

Philosophiae doctor in geography. The thesis, ‘Studies of the waterscape of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – Water management in hill furrow irrigation’ consisted of five published articles and a 138 page synthesis. The concept of the waterscape is used to structure and reflect on the study of water and society in geography and the social sciences. Mattias has a strong and broad academic background in the social sciences, advanced specialization in development studies and human geography, with 15 years of professional experience in development research, as a lecturer and in research administration.

1. Position: Senior Associate
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile: +47 98862508
4. E-mail: Mattias.Tagseth@id-norway.com

Morten Westvik

Morten have a MBA and PDM from the UK and  BSc from Norway and have permanently lived and worked outside Norway for 14 years, whereof 12 years in South and North East Asia, in total 20 years international work experience. Project experience from Norway, Spain, Tunisia, South Africa, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam and South Korea, as well as experience from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, China and Japan. International expertise from an executive & managerial level, business consultant & advisory role, sales & marketing position, business and SME development, development of business incubators, project development, syndication,  funding and execution of multidisciplinary and multicultural projects, evaluation, assessment and investment analysis, market & feasibility studies, finance & venture capital. Specific sector expertise related to; innovation and entrepreneurship, internationalisation of SMB companies, value chain management and logistics, maritime, offshore and shipping, ICT and venture capital.

1. Position: Senior Associate
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile: +47 92478788
4. E-mail: Morten.Westvik@id-norway.com

Roger White

PhD Research in Soil Mechanics, Leeds University UK. Independent Petroleum Consultant, advising on major oil and gas projects. 43 years experiences in oil and gas business (33 years in Shell International). Lived and worked in 10 countries (UK, Norway, USA, Netherlands, Malaysia, Iran, Oman, Nigeria and Timor-Leste). In-depth experience in project management, petroleum economics, oilfield engineering, procurement and training.

1. Position: Senior Associate
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile: +47 99999999
4. E-mail: Roger.White@id-norway.com

Sten Paltiel

BSc in Chemistry from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. More than 25 years in different positions in STATOIL.

STATOIL 1985-1995: Developing of technical systems including simulations systems, computer graphics and CAD/CAM related systems. Experience in all parts of development of computer systems including project management, systems analysis ,programming and systems support.

STATOIL 1995-2005: Lead Environmental Engineer responsible for all activities related to Heidrun license (operations, drilling/well treatments, new projects, waste management, contact/applications to authorities, evaluate new technology, oil spill response, chemical management including evaluation and working close with suppliers developing new “green” chemicals.

In Salah Gas JV, Algeria (Statoil International North Africa ) 2005-2009: Team leader for Operations Environmental Team, including responsible for Environmental management system (EMS) and ISO 14001 follow up including operations, construction, Seismic , drilling , water management, waste management in isolated area, remediation issues(drilling waste, soil), Waste water management including sewage water, Chemical management, Technical evaluation of new projects, evaluating new technology, Environmental impact and risk assessments, Coaching and training of staff, Part of emergency response team, Auditing of all activities related to ISG , Responsible of waste management contract. Legal and compliance issues.

In Salah Gas JV Southern field project, Algeria (Statoil International North Africa ) 2009-2011: Environmental and CSR advisor for FEED and Design Phase. Responsible to insure that environmental and local social aspects where taken care of in the project development. Worked close with local community in In Salah Town to develop local content projects.

1. Position: Senior Associate
2. Location: Norway
3. Mobile: +47 981 04 533
4. E-mail: Sten.Paltiel@id-norway.com

Tatjana Volarev

Postgraduate Specialization in International Commercial Contract Law; Thesis for MSC Consumer Protection in preparation; Bar Exam, B. A. in Law. Experience in: international projects and organizations, governmental bodies; project development, consulting; legal framework development and internationalization in SMEE sector; establishing business incubators & clusters; analyzing and drafting of legislation, entrepreneurial training development; institutional & capacity building.

1. Position: Legal Advisor
2. Location: Serbia
3. Mobile: +381 63 229 929
4. E-mail: Tatjana.Volarev@id-norway.com