INNOVATION – THE NEXT SOCIETY brings out new public strategies

THE NEXT SOCIETY has, since its launch, continued to work on the advocacy of innovation stakeholders in the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries. In this framework, the project leads the different actors of the ecosystem to cooperate in order to improve the regulatory framework at the national level. In concrete terms, this is reflected by the organisation of advocacy panels bringing together public decision-makers, the academic world and actors involved in supporting innovators and businesses to define priorities in each country.

Once these topics have been identified, THE NEXT SOCIETY mobilises the necessary expertise in the framework of field missions, then promotes this work to public officials to ensure its appropriation and sustainability.

Thus, in Lebanon, after 3 years of action, THE NEXT SOCIETY has developed a roadmap for Lebanese universities in order to strengthen their technology transfer capacities (more information in this video).

In Egypt, the main challenge identified by the ecosystem was the internationalisation of startups. A mission currently underway is designing a new accelerator for the National Technology Development Agency (ITIDA), entirely dedicated to these issues, to provide Egyptian entrepreneurs with personalised support services to accelerate their introduction into new markets.

As for Jordan, it is preparing to welcome an expert to accompany the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund in the design of a new national programme to support technological innovation – particularly that resulting from research – while ensuring the economic sustainability of this public fund.

Two other missions whose themes were also based on the needs identified during the advocacy panels are about to begin. In Morocco, this mission aims to carry out a preparatory study for the adoption of the Research Tax Credit and to promote it to the authorities with a view to its adoption. The objective is to encourage Research and Development (R&D) and innovation activities for Moroccan companies by enabling them to benefit from tax credits.

Finally, in Palestine, after the setting up of a National Task Force specially dedicated to this mission, the expertise provided by THE NEXT SOCIETY will accompany the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence in the development of a national innovation strategy.