The first day of the conference was dedicated to transfer of EU knowledge and experience. Participants from MAPEER SME partner organizations in EU member states presented national and regional frameworks for R&D and linkages between SMEs and education and research institutions. Mr. Mauro Bianchi (TESEO, Belgium) has presented experiences from the Netherlands, Mr. Brendan Galbraith (UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER, N. Ireland) explained some of the best practices applied in the UK and N. Ireland, while Ms. Ewa Kocinska (TECHNOLOGY PARK POZNAN, Poland) elaborated the experiences from Poland in terms of R&D and SMEs.

Mrs. Olga Munteanu (LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITY HANNOVER, Germany) presented MAPEER SME analysis of available programs covering all EU member states and Bosnia and Herzegovina (compendium) for more that 80 participants - stakeholders from Bosnia and Herzegovina (policy makers, business supporting organizations, science and research institutions and SMEs). Mrs. Lana Hopkinson from USAID-SIDA FIRMA Project has presented a proposal for establishing an Innovation Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

During the second day of the conference, total of three panel discussions were organized with aim to initiate participant dialogue on: 

• Current SME support strategies/policies in the area of SME research and development and innovation; 

• Available programs focused on SME research, development and innovations, and 

• How to enhance communication between SMEs and the education and research institutions on R&D&I programs at the EU, national, and entity levels.

Conference conclusions will be distributed to all participants and other relevant stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina.