REGIONAL DIMENSIONS of INNOVATION The Regions of Knowledge Experience Dr. Stefan Weiers Programme Co-ordinator Regions of Knowledge European Commission Directorate General Research and Innovation Unit C.5 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Policy context Need to boost science and technology-based economic development, by better integrating research to their regional innovation strategies Within the framework of the Lisbon and Europe2020 strategies for a performing knowledge-based economy Located in the triangle of research, innovation and cohesion policy Research driven clusters as innovation engines at regional level Need to think globally and promote the emerging of world class clusters in Europe Support smart specialisation in view of future R&D and cohesion policies Join forces to strengthen competitiveness of established and emerging industrie sectors via transnational (-regional) networking 01/01/2019

WHAT IS A REGIONAL RESEARCH-DRIVEN CLUSTER? Regional Authority Research Entity REGIONAL RESEARCH–DRIVEN CLUSTER Business Entity (e.g. SME) Other Actors (e.g. TTOs, Consultants) 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE – some facts and figures Total budget for 2007 to 2013: 126 M€ 54 projects ongoing or under negotiation Annually varying topics for the calls: 2007 (SME , rural economies), 2008 (CO2 reduction, R&D infrastructure), 2009 (natural resources), 2010 (health), 2011 (transport) Average size of consortium: 12 partners Average EC contribution per project: 1,5 € (including seed funding for emerging clusters) Co-ordination action – no traditional R&D projects Leveraging additional funds to be fixed in business plan 01/01/2019

Some Examples for (Potential) Success Stories REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE Some Examples for (Potential) Success Stories PROJECT CALL TITLE TOPIC COUNTRIES REDICT FP7-REGIONS-2007-1 Regional Economic Development by ICT/New media clusters ICT / SMEs / new media NL, DE, FR, DK, IE, RO CLUSTHERM FP7-REGIONS-2007-2 Creating a Central European Thermal Water Research Cluster Geothermics and rural economies HU, RO, HR, AT CLUSTERPLAST FP7-REGIONS-2008-1 Inter-cluster initiative to target the future challenges for the European polymer converting industry Polymer industy FR, PT, CZ, AT, IT, ES BIOCLUS FP7-REGIONS-2009-1 Developing Innovation and Research Environment in the field of Sustainable Use of Biomass Resources sustainable use of natural resources FI, ES, EL, SK, PL AMI-4EUROPE FP7-REGIONS-2010-1 Advanced, Cross-Disciplinary & Integrated Medical Imaging for all Europeans through a Network of Regional Clusters Health / Advanced Medical Imaging ES, DE, IT, HU, RO, BA ELMO’s (under negotiation) FP7-REGIONS-2011-1 Electromobility solutions for cities and regions electro-mobility CH, FR, DE, AT, HU, SI 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (1) Source: Technopolis Group (modified) The five most potential impacts of the participation to a RoK project according to the survey are: An improved strategic vision in the cluster area; The formation of new, long-term relationships with clusters at the EU level; More knowledge transfer between research organisations and enterprises; Access to a pool of complementary competencies; Improvement in the strategy making process. RoK set the fundaments for future impacts to occur in terms of an enhanced regional economic competitiveness through R&D activities Potential to support smart specialisation and sectoral innovation strategies in the regions However: up to now , to a large extent intangible outcome 6 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (2) Balanced partnerships in terms of ‘triple helix’ and newly established regional linkages Public bodies are the main partners followed by private partners and universities and research organisations. Long-lasting effects esp. in terms of inter-regional collaboration but also strengthening of intra-regional links & communication channels between the triple helix Progressive up scaling of the programme over the years to increase the level of cooperation between regional research-driven clusters Fundaments for gaining a critical mass & the potential for international competitiveness A facilitator was the mentoring dimension of the RoK programme Source: Technopolis Group 7 01/01/2019

Source: Technopolis Group REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Findings of Comparative analysis : Synergies with other Programmes RoK serves a distinct group of ‘clients’ with respect to other EU transnational cluster initiatives. No significant overlapping of programmes: 84% of RoK participants are not involved in the: other major EU cluster initiatives in parallel to their project; RoK highly specific with the ‘Triple Helix’ requisite & the JAP, which leads ‘a step further’ than other interregional initiatives; More visible, readable and targeted than other programmes studied. The JAP allows for more strategic thinking within a structured framework. Source: Technopolis Group 8 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (1) Recommendations for ongoing FP7: No mandatory mentoring activity Connect JAPs and study results jointly in view of forthcoming EU policies Improve inter-project learning Early involvement of major representative of multi-governance levels Include clear SMART objectives in DOW Streamline and simplify EC programme management processes Source: Technopolis Group 9 01/01/2019

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (2) Open Recommendations / options for possible future programmes in the post 2007 – 2013 period: Single programme supporting the conception, setting up, strengthening of networks of innovation or research-driven clusters, in line with the “Strategy Europe 2020” ? value chain approach to transnational cluster initiatives, supporting their collaboration on particularly relevant topics / issues for future EU competitiveness, including research activities ? 1st Pillar : Cluster emergence/development at regional/national level funded regionally/nationally (incl. through Structural Funds) whereas good practices to be exchanged at EU level 2nd Pillar: definition of a common strategies for specific sectors based on the involvement of the triple helix in all participating regions leading to a joint action plan 3rd Pillar: implementation of the common research and innovation actions identified in the JAP… if the projects reach the quality criteria Source: Technopolis Group (modified) - do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the COMMISSION 10 01/01/2019

Thank you for your attention ! Download: IA study at http://ec.europa.eu/research/regions/index_en.cfm?pg=publications 01/01/2019