Programme-oriented regulation of sustainable development and competitiveness improvement of the region

Today, the strategic planning of a company requires a new level of development through innovation. International experience shows that small business has a greater ability to innovate than larger companies do. The advantages of scientific and technological activities of small companies are freedom to seek, initiative encouragement, willingness to take risks and rapid innovation testing. One of the factors hindering the development of innovative businesses is the lack of effective financial tools to stimulate innovation activities of small and medium enterprises that promote cooperation between science and business. The given paper studies innovative schemes of vouchers used in foreign countries such as Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Australia, Belarus and others. The authors have reviewed a number of national programs to support innovative entrepreneurship such as forms of innovation vouchers, sources of their financing and methods of their use. According to the results of the analysis, the main advantages and disadvantages of using of this tool are revealed. The investigation of the socio-economic rankings suggests that the countries included in the top ten took the lead in in innovative development, primarily through the promotion of SMEs. These countries were among the first who expressed desire for an innovative society. Within the framework of the strategic planning of the business sector they encouraged the cooperation between business and science, began a practical formation of the knowledge economy and joined the ranks of the most innovative countries in the world.