The program "Support to SME Development in Armenia (SMEDA)" as part of the Regional Private Sector Development in South Caucasus Program, aims to create employment opportunities by enhancing private sector development in Armenia. The specific objective is to improve the national business and investment climate and to support the creation and development of SMEs to enable broad based growth.

SMEDA contracted a consortia led by PEM to support the project component "Improved process of commercialization of ideas linking research institutions and businesses via cooperation networks". The goal of the assignment is to improve the understanding of the innovation ecosystem and the involved actors, institutions and policies (Innovation Ecosystem Mapping) and to develop a comprehensive government strategy and action plan (Strategy Development).

The mapping and strategy development process covers the following parts:

1. Pre-assessment

In a first phase, the scope of the innovation ecosystem mapping is outlined on the base of a desk review and the mapping process such as research methodologies is determined. Armenia's position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) and potential improvement strategies are assessed.

2. Innovation Ecosystem Mapping

In a second phase, the status quo of the Armenian Innovation Ecosystem and the existing development strategies are analysed. This research shall be complemented by an on-site visit with roundtables and will result in a mapping study of the Armenian Innovation Ecosystem including the main institutions and functional division, instruments, performance, main challenges and potentials and an action plan for the improvement of Armenia's position in the Global Innovation Index.

3. Strategy Development

On the basis of the innovation mapping, a strategy development for the Armenian Innovation Ecosystem will be conducted in cooperation with MEDI and several key stakeholders.

4. Strategy Implementation

In the last phase of the assignment, the consortia shall support the strategy implementation.