L4F Changemakers Meetup
Workshop
L4F Changemakers Meetup #2 – I3 Instrument Info Day Slovakia
Creative Convergence for Interregional Cooperation
Are you an SME looking to fund the development and market launch of your innovative products?
At this event, you’ll hear first-hand from European Commission, EISMEA and EIT Community Slovakia representatives about how small and medium-sized enterprises can access real EU funding opportunities – including the I3 Instrument.
It’s practical, insider knowledge straight from EU officers, helping you prepare stronger proposals and get real financial support for your innovation projects.
In addition to presentations and panel discussions, participants will enjoy networking with European experts and Slovak companies already benefiting from EU innovation funding.
Please, register here.
PROGRAM:
13:00 – 13:40 Opening
- CIKE: Welcome note on behalf of Label4Future project and a short project showcase
- CIKE: Brief showcase of Art & Tech Days highlights, demonstrating how creative industries drive innovation
- EIT C&C CLC East: “Why Creativity is Europe’s Competitive Advantage”, upcoming EIT Culture & Creativity funding opportunities
- 13:40 – 14:00 – What is I3 and why it matters? (Tomislav Pinter, DG REGIO)
- 14:00 – 14:20 – Why I3 matters to Slovakia (Martin Polak, VAIA)
14:20 – 15:20 Innovation Portraits: The Human Stories Behind the Solutions
- The panel will explore how innovation policies can move beyond one-off funding calls to implement sustainable mechanisms that embed creative cooperation into the core of regional innovation ecosystems. Collaborations between artists or creative professionals and SMEs are often initiated through targeted funding programs that serve as a valuable kick-start. However, convincing SMEs to embark on these creative partnerships is a slow and ongoing process, requiring persistent effort to demonstrate the tangible benefits of working with artists. Label4Future has successfully engaged six SMEs, but expanding this engagement involves starting from scratch with each new company, which limits scalability and long-term impact. The discussion will focus on designing frameworks and incentives that lower barriers for SMEs to engage with artists repeatedly, creating a continuous culture of collaboration
- Panelists: ECBN (moderation), Tomislav Pinter (DG Regio/EISMEA), Veronika Leibl (Ars Electronica), Wolfgang Fiel (die Angewandte), Jana Končeková (Slovak Chamber of Commerce SOPK), SMEs representatives
15:20 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 16:30
How to apply to I3: Do’s and Don’ts (Sander van der Molen, I3 Support Facility)
From key evaluation criteria to common mistakes, learn what makes a strong I3 proposal. Ideal for both newcomers and seasoned applicants. EISMEA representative shares how you can stay informed, get consultation support and join future I3 events. Q& A follows.
16:30 – 16:40
- EIT Open Innovation Challenge presentation (Pille Vojčík, EIT Community Slovakia)
16:45 – 18:00 Light dinner & networking at the venue
19:00 – Joint Cocktail with Bussiness Kosice & Informal Networking
Funded by European Union
