BEST PRACTICES FROM GIJÓN TO SUPPORT INNOVATION AND MOVE TOWARDS ECONOMIC RECOVERY Tallin, 8th October 2009 Laura González Méndez Local Agency of Economic Promotion and Employment. Gijón City Council

1. GIJÓN, SOME FACTS 2. STRATEGY OF GIJÓN FOR SUPPORTING INNOVATION 2.1 FRAMEWORK: GIJÓN INNOVA AGREEMENT STRATEGY OF GIJÓN 3. GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. EXAMPLES 3.1 BUSINESSES 3.2 PROJECTS 3.3 BUSINESSES+PROJECTS 3.4 NETWORKING 3.5 RESPONSIBLE TERRITORIES CONTENTS

1. GIJÓN, SOME FACTS SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT inhabitants (26% of the region of Asturias population). Belongs to a metropolitan area of more than inhabitants Activity: Industry and Services Long history of large-scale pacts for social agreements and economic and employment promotion Important Centre for Tourism, Culture and Leisure Current Unemployment Rate (June 2009):

2.1 FRAMEWORK:GIJÓN INNOVA AGREEMENT Objectives: Employment encouragement; increase economic activity, balanced and sustainable social development Current Situation: New economic situation Unemployment rising Population ageing Challenges: Target Sectors: women, disabled people, people over 45, people at risk of exclusion Professionals qualified according to enterprises requirements Focus on emerging sectors and business innovation Budget : € 2.STRATEGY OF GIJÓN FOR SUPPORTING INNOVATION

2.1 FRAMEWORK:GIJÓN INNOVA AGREEMENT AXIS I: EMPLOYMENT: I.1 Innovative Programme for Improving Employability (IPIE) I.2 Quality in Employment Programme I.3 Safety and Health in work AXIS II: TRAINING: II.1 Local Training Plan II.2 Training Schools and Employment Workshops AXIS III: INFORMATION SOCIETY: III.1 Gijón Advises III.2 Digital Administration AXIS IV: ECONOMIC PROMOTION AND INNOVATION: IV.1 Start up Programme IV.2 Consolidate&Grow IV.3 Local Innovation Plan AXIS V: COMMERCE&TOURISM: V.1 Local Trade Plan V.2 Tourism Strategy

2.2 STRATEGY OF GIJÓN Support new projects, ideas Promote innovative Businesses Create Employment

3. GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. EXAMPLES PROJECTS, IDEAS: CREA Project BUSINESSES: Venture Capital Fund Platforms of Business Development EMPLOYMENT: Employment Plans BUSINESSES+PROJECTS: Business Enterprise Awards NET- WORKING: Mile of Knowledge Creative Industries SOCIAL RESPONSIBLE TERRITORIES: Living cars

3.1 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. BUSINESSES VENTURE CAPITAL FUND Innovative projects, emerging companies and microenterprises related to R&D+i High-tech companies, ICT, biotechnology, nanotechnology 6 Mio. € (2 per year) PLATFORMS OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Platforms of business cooperation between mature enterprises and new SMEs BUDGET: € %, (max € per project)

3.2 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. PROJECTS CREA PROJECT: Specialised advisind targeted to launch innovative business initiatives in Gijón. Budget 11/08-11/11: € INITIAL DIAGNOSIS STRATEGIC PLAN MENTORING OTHER ACTIONS Activity analysis Risk analysis Economic and financial study Business Plan Searching of funding Negotiations Management R&D+i advising Commercial missions Round tables Workshops On-line Training

3.3 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. BUSINESSES+PROJECTS It is a forum where entrepreneurs and young enterprises meet mature enterprises, financial institutions and innovation agents. TARGETS: Show the supply of products and technological services Promote a business forum where entrepreneurs, enterprises, financial institutions could establish commercial relations Fair format +Conferences (exhibitors+visitors) 11 editions

Some snapshots of

3.3 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. BUSINESSES+PROJECTS Business Initiative Award: Best Business Track, Best Young Enterprise, Best Business Project. CRITERIA: Investments efforts, innovation, employment, R&D and patents, CSR, environmental issues

3.4 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. NETWORKING MILE OF KNOWLEDGE: It gathers a consortium of enterprises, institutions and entities advanced in innovation and intensive in knowledge. Collaboration Agreement between the region of Asturias, Oviedo Univerdity and city of Gijón Strategic plan, resource map and common marketing Promote local innovation, Support of local enterprises

Aerial view of the Mile of Knowledge Botanical Garden Hospital University City of Culture Science and Technology Park

3.4 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. NETWORKING SEEDBED OF CREATIVE ENTERPRISES Planned area: m 2 Offices, sets areas, meeting rooms, common areas, etc.. Counselling services Programmes of business consolidation CREATIVE GIJÓN : Awareness campaign Integral support for entrepreneurs Joint projects linking creative activities and technological activities Establishment of a Creative Network Development of projects of industrial design Participation in European projects Public-private cooperation for the implementation of filming

3.5 GOOD PRACTICES OF GIJÓN. RESPONSIBLE TERRITORIES LIVING CARS : The main objective of this project is to run a “living lab” based on the utilization of electrical vehicles in a real environment (citizens involvement) in key strategic locations. This project should pave the way for a full implementation of electrical vehicles in real environments for specific uses. It is a public-private cooperation.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Laura González Méndez. Local Agency of Economic Promotion and Employment. Gijón City Council. Phone: