The project promotes the Information Society (IS) implementation by fostering the direct involvement of the Regional/Local Institutions for favouring the ICT services diffusion particularly in less advanced areas as well as in SMEs which are slower than the Large Enterprises in adopting the ICT innovative models (geographical and dimensional divide). In addition to a large know-how transfer of managerial and technical skills in ICT, the project develops three main activities by: ·offering to the regional/ local administrations structured inputs in order to prepare their actions plans, processes and organization for the IS implementation; ·supporting the transnational cooperation of SMEs driven by the e-business model adoption ·preparing innovative projects based on public-private cooperation in a transnational dimension and suitable to attract investments and create new employment particularly in underdeveloped areas. The implementation and experimental operation of an Information and Assistance Centre (IAC) for ICT adoption and transnational cooperation will be implemented as a Pilot Project. The project will be deployed in 13 Regions of 7 CADSES Countries by 3 groups of Partners: i) 6 Regional/Local Institutions; ii) 6 Knowledge Centres (Universities, Research Centres); iii) 4 Regional/Local Institutions for territorial development. Expected Results: Main effects and results of the project are:- To enhance the role of the regional and local administrations in the implementation of the information society by planning their actions, designing organisation structures and deploying systematic procedures,- To support the economic development and coherence of CADSES by promoting the transnational co-operation of the SMEs through the creation of new virtual communities of enterprises located in different CADSES countries and geographical areas by enhancing the competitioncapabilities of the SMEs,- To enlarge the co-operation between the public and private sectors by jointly developing innovative projects for attracting investments, creating new valued jobs particularly in underdeveloped areas, stimulating the awareness of ICT advantages and improving managerial andtechnical skills, - Dissemination of ICT know-how and enhancement of skills by training managers and staff of public administrations and enterprises,- Enhancement of the regional/local planning capability in ICT by producing an action plan model and a handbook on resources and organisation design for IS implementation,- Identifi cation of and support to at least 15 B2B co-operation cases among groups of SMEs and supporting organisations encompassing several CADSES countries,- Production of at least ten feasible projects, eligible for fi nancing, rooted in public-private transnational co-operation and based on innovative ideas for ICT usage in fi elds of common interest such as G2B and B2G,- Creation of an Information and Assistance Centre in order to help local administrations and SMEs operating in the seven participating countries with ICT services utilisation and with receiving information on market entry and cooperation opportunities.