BESTREGIT (Leonardo da Vinci Project)
The BESTREGIT project (Training of Regional Technology Transfer Experts Using Models of Best Practice from Europe) was an initiative funded under the European Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci Pilot Project Programme. Contracted and coordinated by APS (Verein zur Förderung der Europäischen Kooperation in Forschungs-, Entwicklungs- und Bildungsprogrammen)—whose long-standing EU project portfolio and expertise were transferred to Skills International GmbH—the project united a transnational consortium of 8 partner organisations across 5 countries: Austria, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The partnership included key institutions such as TU Graz, WIFI Steiermark, FUEVA, CRACA, HIBERNIA, ISCN Ltd., and CTA.
Project Background & Objectives
Technology transfer intermediaries—who bridge the gap between universities, research institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—face rapidly changing technological and qualification requirements. Because technology transfer relies heavily on uncodified, tacit knowledge, traditional theoretical training methods proved insufficient.
BESTREGIT was launched to identify and develop new skill sets for intermediaries, including SME proprietors, HR and R&D managers, university liaison officers, and regional development staff. The primary goal was to create structured, interactive training packages built directly on practical European best-practice models to enhance innovation services across European regions.
Key Results & Core Deliverables
- Process Design Guidelines: A structured guideline and standard process-modelling framework enabling technology transfer institutions to map their workflows and operate as continuous learning organisations.
- 3 Regional Best-Practice Case Studies: In-depth transfer models analysing and documenting successful technology transfer methodologies in Austria (APS), Ireland (HIBERNIA), and Italy (CRACA).
- Integrated Training Package & Tutorials: A comprehensive 1-week training course combining design guidelines, the 3 regional case studies, and practical “How-To” implementation workshops, alongside 6 single-day tutorials.
- Multilingual Courseware: Training modules, guidelines, and workshop materials were fully translated and published in English, German, Italian, and Spanish.
- Pan-European Capacity Building: Delivered train-the-trainer workshops, 10 regional field tests, and conference tutorials. Results were widely disseminated across major regional networks, including the Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) network and regional industry associations representing tens of thousands of SMEs.
