EPPP initiates activities that are aimed at effective system support, building and development of education and educational institutions. While the areas of extra-curricular and further education and advisory are some of our most dominant ones, life-long learning and advanced learning are among our priorities. We advocate for measures that lead to the increase of effectiveness in complex management of tertiary education institutions and for changes in approach from passive to entrepreneurial by means of know-how transfer among educational institutions and the private sector.

We put strong emphasis on more intensive using of European programmes that are aimed mainly at support of building and restructuring of educational activities for young people. The reason is that we know that increase of specific knowledge and skills and the interconnection of skills and key competencies have a positive impact on building of the knowledge economy, employment increase, elimination of regional differences and development of small and medium enterprises.

EPPP is promoting science and hi-tech institutions in transfer of research and development know-how by means of formal and informal education in order to increase the interest in life-long learning. EPPP supports this so that progressive ideas are actively transferred into working careers and towards innovatively oriented entrepreneurs and so that professional advisory services to entities with high innovative potential develop flexibly.

We fulfil the objectives in this area through the following activities:

• Support in creation of positive settings for educational and training institutions; support of activities aimed at bridging scientific and research observations with life-long learning and consulting in private, public and not for profit organisations.
• Analysis of innovation potential of the successive generation, advisory aimed at system adjustments in order to facilitate their career development.
• Consultancy, idea development, preparation and realisation of projects for education initiatives with high relevance for the labour market and motivation for interlinking of innovations with practise.
• Support of life-long learning projects with the aim of promoting the results of research and development in informal education.

Research and development are activities aimed at gathering and dissemination of new observations and their applications into societal and economical practice. Knowledge and its applicability, especially in the form of innovations is perceived by us as an important factor supporting not only societal and economic development but also as a form of society protection against unwanted natural and societal influence. In order to achieve economic profitability from the results of research and development also in Slovakia there must be well valorised process of research and development, i.e. process of know-how transfer and its application into the practice.

Thanks to being listed in the Central register of science and technology information under the Ministry of education, science, research and sports SR, the EPPP belongs to organisations that conduct research and development mainly in social sciences and humanities, education and other key activities within its scope. For the EPPP it is certification, potential manpower and know-how which form the basis potential of successful participation in various projects at national and international level, and conduct of its own research and implementation of acquired knowledge.

We fulfil the objectives in this area through the following activities:

• Cooperation in research and development projects.
• Participation in international cooperation with centres of science and technology and cooperation in European programmes and projects.
• Development of public strategies that boost the impact of research and development on small and medium enterprises, life-long learning and advisory, family entrepreneurship etc.

In accordance with the Europe2020 Strategy, the EPPP recognizes development of entrepreneurship – in small and medium enterprises in particular – as one of the most sustainable and key instruments for economic growth and creation of jobs. Despite influences of globalisation we put emphasis on the development of innovative and creative entrepreneurial thinking, which can be understood as an ability to transform thoughts into actions and as an ability to adjust to new challenges and circumstances. It implies overcoming of the pitfalls of globalisation, creativity, innovation, risk mitigation as well as the ability to navigate among diverse opportunities and to utilize advisory services, educational and financial instruments for projects in new markets.

Utilization of entrepreneurial instruments in order to maximize positive effects does not only impact on entrepreneurs but influences everyone who is a part of the entrepreneurial chain. Increase of competitiveness is a natural outcome of flourishing entrepreneurship which also serves as an impulse for development of society and economy. The EPPP facilitates a so-called barrier-free entrepreneurship across at all levels, while respecting peculiarities of business sectors, including family businesses. An indispensable precondition to this is smoothening of international business, education, professional training, transfer of know-how, simplified access to financial instruments and support in exploitation of new technologies in international businesses and markets.

We fulfil the objectives in the area of small and medium enterprises through the following activities:

• Support in transfer of reliable methods and innovative solutions through creation and development of educational activities in the framework of extracurricular education and life-long learning.
• Establishment of cooperation partnerships and projects aimed at internationalisation of small and medium enterprises, and promotion of business skills among new generation of entrepreneurs, young people and women.
• Promotion of success stories in business environment and strengthening of business and enterprise culture.
• Stimulation of and support in enforcement, simplification and elimination of administrative barriers aimed at boosting of employment and employability.
• Support in development of modern business models and of new advisory approaches, internal coaching and mentoring of senior management in transfer of know-how to new generation of managers and leaders.
• Support and advisory in accessing various financial schemes, such as risk capital, private investments, loan and microloan programs and other capital instruments in starting up of small and medium enterprises.
• Support in monitoring and analysis of business environment and of developments in innovative activities and innovative methods of operation, good governance and obstacles to sound management.
• Active participation in programmes and EU policies aimed at support of business advantages, business approaches and attitudes.

We fulfil the objectives in the area of family businesses through the following activities:

• Support of constructive dialogue among interested parties and educational institutions specialized in family entrepreneurship.
• Support of simplification and improvements of regulatory instruments in favour of family businesses.
• Support of target financial instruments and legislative simplifications applicable to cases successor ships and take-overs, generational transfer of management and so-called social capital and societal responsibility, which family businesses retain.
• Support in creation of new and modern business models and new attitudes of consultants and advisors, internal couching and mentoring of senior managers in transfer of skills to successive generation and in career growth.
• Support in establishment of institutional environment conducive to family business and for international cooperation.

Society and science have been interrelated for centuries. However, this close partnership applies only when it works in favour of common goals. The question is not necessarily that of money, but rather of creativity, attractiveness of the science and its openness to new linkages between R&D and the society. Horizon 2020 fulfils these criteria by offering instruments of European societal challenges that enable all societal actors to cooperate during the research and innovation process with the aim of matching the methods and goals with the needs and expectations of the European society. The EPPP considers as one of its key priorities the development and integration of society and knowledge acquired from research and innovations aimed at increasing of standards of living, overall acceptance of changes by the society and sustainability of results from research in various areas.

Well-supported R&D and innovations and progressive changes in the science, technology and industry also have an effect/influence on economic, political and societal inclusion and positive intercultural dynamics. Despite pessimism in many countries stemming from fast changes, crisis and its impacts, it is extremely important to strengthen development of innovative societies, as well as of European and national policies. This must engage citizens, civil societies and organisations, enterprises as well as users of research and innovation, and must also go hand-in-hand with a coordinated promotion of science.

We fulfil objectives in this area through the following activities:

• Shaping and support of initiatives of different actors who are involved in dealing with social challenges – initiatives that are beyond the interests of private and public sector, or which do not respond in an appropriate, sustainable and acceptable manner.
• Development of new forms of interactions between the private, public and the third sector and creative reshaping of the society towards participation, learning and sustainability.
• Development of relations between modern forms of business and social innovative initiatives.
• Conducting of analyses in the area of social sciences and humanities.
• Transfer and dissemination of knowledge and research by means of international cooperation in the field of science, research and innovation.