Regional Actions to Innovation Operational Programmes (RATIO) is a four-year Interreg Europe project (commenced in 2016). The RATIO project aims to review the policy framework that exists in the context of European SMEs in rural areas, and focuses on improving the access to and capacity for research and innovation within rural-based SMEs. From a regional perspective, the improvement of innovation capacity is essential for the sustained growth of our SME base, which in turn is integral to the long-term balanced regional economic development across our rural regions. RATIO is a collaborative project comprising 9 partner organisations from across 8 European countries.


Cork Chamber, as Irish project partner, is specifically focused on innovation within rural-based SMEs across the region and with the aim to influence a policy change(s) that will positively impact upon the innovation potential of SMEs. The project partners involve organisations from the following countries: Spain (Lead Partner: Aragonese Federation of Municipalities, Regions and Provinces), Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Portugal. For more information on this Interreg Europe Project please see the RATIO project newsletter (Semester 1). RATIO is funded by the Interreg Europe programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).