INNOVATION/SMES PROGRAMME /WiWttíWtH Innovation Relay Centre © Network Co-operation RCs join forces with Eureka The IRC network is a highly effective mechanism for introducing regional SMEs to technological opportunities. Plans for closer collaboration with Eureka will extend its sources of new technologies, producing a reciprocal exchange of development possibilities. The Innovation Relay Centre infrastructure has grown to an extensive network of 68 centres in 31 countries. It provides strong support for technology transfer between countries, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to exploit locally generated technologies abroad, and to import technology solutions suitable for their home markets. The Europe- The IRC network in brief V more appropriate for Eureka, it can pass it wide Eureka network is also well estab on directly. The Innovation and SMEs Programme's lished and broadly based. Since 1985, it network of 68 Innovation Relay Centres The Eureka secretariat will take a central has supported market-oriented industrial (IRCs) spans 30 countries, including the role, screening projects so that only those EU Member States and the newly associresearch and development through coated countries (NAC). suitable for further exploitation are notioperative projects in 31 countries. Each IRC is its region's window on Eurofied to the IRC network.