In September-October 2009, the Support for Innovation Unit of the European Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry conducted a survey of innovation voucher schemes across Europe to provide a snapshot of the current design and implementation of such schemes by identifying commonalities and distinctive features. The aim was to assess the potential for establishing collaboration between regional or national innovation voucher schemes in order to open them up to European cooperation. The findings of the survey are based on information about 23 schemes provided by 21 different managing authorities.

A common core based on four dimensions (voucher size, eligible services, service providers and application process) has been identified for a majority of schemes. Overall, only one scheme (FR) falls fully within the core. The highest number of divergences from the common core is related to the origin of service providers and their type. Different risk management approaches are followed and reflected in the restrictions introduced in innovation voucher schemes. Generally, there is a strong positive correlation between the value of the voucher (grant) and the number of restrictions or degree of service eligibility.

Source: http://www.europe-innova.eu/web/guest/home/-/journal_content/56/10136/157726, as accessed on Janiary 22, 2010.