Aleš Zupan

Importance of R&D and innovation activities for competitiveness of regions and national economies Role of state against the role of individual subjects (incubators, technology centres etc.) Benefits from cooperation and joint initiatives

No sufficient engagement from governance level (low percentage of GDP invested) Much left to efforts of organizations Challenges: - Lack of finances, adequate space - Lack of human resources, specific technical expertise - Poor integration into regional economies, lack of contact with research and private sector - Limited use of modern work methods

Exchange of experience, study visits, internship, joint trainings: - Improvement of work methods - Development of human resources - Specific technical issues and methods Exchange of good practice: - Relations with regional/national governance level - Relations with research institutions and private sector

Joint project initiatives: - Solution of specific development issues - Improvement of capacity - Improvement of financial situation or physical facilities - Improvement of situation / perspectives of tenants and users - Use of economy of scale - Positive impact on regional competitiveness

National funding EU funding: - 7th Framework Programme (for instance Regions of knowledge aimed at strengthening research potential of European Regions) - IPA Component 3 Competitiveness (and 4) (grant schemes from 2012) - Perspective of structural funds (example of EU MS where R&D and innovation efforts are financed – Slovenia) REGIONAL COHESION – Responsibility for less developed regions