European Community of Practice

Workshop 1 Validation of innovative results / products 

The workshop started with hearing participants' expectations for this part of the seminar. They were as follows:

-        To pick up ideas,

-        To learn form experience of the others and to share experience,

-        To see how people react to different approaches to innovation,

-        To learn about the tools,

-        To find about CoP.  

The presentations were given by:

-      Maria do Carmo Nunes (Portugal) - the validation process,

-      Jenny Charlier (Belgium) - how to present products and how communication is important in the validation process,

-      Renáta Haroková (Czech Republic) – the adaptation of the Portuguese method of validation into Czech context and success MA achieved in validating products.

The reflections and inspirations to come from the discussion were:

-      If the validation process is to be successful, many actors need to be involved in and feel as owners of the process. Without engagement and debate between all actors nothing would be achieved.

-      Communication is a critical issue in the validation process.

-      Transferability: if something is transferable – is it still innovative? When discussing innovation it is important to discuss transferability conditions.

-      The true legitimization occurs when innovation is incorporated in the work processes and services.

-      Potential for mainstreaming (modify + adopt innovations according to the comments of potential users) – important feedback.

-      Creating the culture.

-      Questions for the new ESF programming period 2007 – 2013:

§       Complexity of the method,

§       Voluntary vs obligatory,

§       Criteria for project application according to future validation,

§       Credibility.