CAMERA DI COMMERCIO INDUSTRIA ARTIGIANATO E AGRICOLTURA DELLE MARCHE

Their core work

The Chamber of Commerce of Marche operates as a regional Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) node, delivering innovation management advisory services to SMEs in central Italy. Their core activity is assessing SME innovation capacity using the CEN/TS 16555 European standard, then providing structured coaching and Key Account Management (KAM) to help these companies access EU funding instruments like the SME Instrument and EIC. They act as a bridge between local businesses and European innovation support programmes, guiding SMEs through their "client journey" from initial assessment to growth.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their focus has been remarkably consistent but shows methodological deepening. In the early period (2015-2016), the emphasis was on general innovation management coaching for SMEs. From 2017 onward, they adopted more formalized frameworks — the CEN/TS 16555 standard, EIMC (European Innovation Management Certificate), and KAM methodology became central. The latest phase (2019-2021) adds "client journey" and shifts from "SME Instrument" to "EIC," tracking the EU's own programme evolution.

They are moving from general advisory toward formalized, standards-based innovation management services aligned with the EIC ecosystem, making them increasingly relevant for SMEs seeking European Innovation Council support.

How they like to work

This organization operates exclusively as a participant — never leading projects but contributing regional expertise as part of a distributed EEN consortium. With only 8 unique partners across a single country, they function within a tight, recurring network rather than seeking diverse partnerships. This is characteristic of EEN nodes: loyal, predictable partners focused on local service delivery within a European framework.

Their network is narrow: 8 unique partners within a single country, reflecting participation in one recurring consortium (I-KAM2EU). This is typical for EEN nodes that collaborate with the same national or regional partners across successive project phases.

What sets them apart

As a Chamber of Commerce, they bring direct access to the SME business fabric of the Marche region — thousands of registered companies across manufacturing, crafts, and agriculture. Unlike universities or research centres, they understand business operations and can identify which local SMEs are ready for EU innovation programmes. For consortium builders needing a credible Italian regional partner with on-the-ground SME reach, they offer institutional legitimacy and an established client base.

Highlights from their portfolio

• I-KAM2EU (2020-2021)
  The final and highest-funded iteration (EUR 33,525) represents the most mature version of their KAM methodology, incorporating EIC alignment and client journey mapping.
• I-KAM2EU (2015-2016)
  The first iteration launched their involvement in European innovation management capacity-building, establishing the foundation for six years of continuous participation.