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O ver the last ten years, innovation vouchers have become a frequently used instrument of the innovation policy mix of EU countries. Vouchers help stimulate collaborative research and innovation activities among small and medium sized enterprises and research organizations. This article analyzes the design and outcomes of the innovation voucher instrument in the EU-funded ener2i project. Vouchers were here successfully applied with the dual purpose of coupling innovation stimulation and support for renewable energy and energy efficiency in four target countries: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova. The voucher projects underwent review by Кeywords: innovation vouchers; innovation policy; energy transition; energy efficiency; sustainable development; ener2i project internal experts and the whole scheme was reviewed by a panel of specialists who were not involved in en-er2i. This first pilot group of vouchers in the target countries proved successful in stimulating renewable energy usage and energy efficiency through measures such as market studies, prototyping, and certification. Furthermore, the goal of establishing contacts between research and business could be achieved. To attain these results, it was instrumental that the design of the voucher scheme foresaw a low administrative effort necessary for accommodating the relevant businesses and that the specific features of the target countries were taken into account.

This article sheds light on the current status of Russia's international cooperation programs on innovation, whereby the focus is on stimulation programs for small and medium enterprises (SME)s. SMEs are the backbone of the economy among EU countries, whereas in Russia they are still in a developing phase. The analysis of bi-and multilateral tools for stimulation of SME cooperation with Russia shows that programs, projects, and budgets are increasing. This positive development takes place in spite of difficult framework conditions for businesses in Russia.