Process and experiences creating user-driven innovation programmes in the Netherlands Merlijn van Rijswijk, Marcel Kleijn et al Ministry of Economic Affairs, The Netherlands

Outline Outline of the presentation Innovation programmes in the Netherlands Outline Outline of the presentation Context of user-driven innovation programmes Process Experiences and lessons learned Discussion Conclusions

Context of user-driven innovation programmes Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Context of user-driven innovation programmes Goals of innovation programmes Enabling our businesses to achieve global excellence Integral approach, tackling all issues relevant to innovation in the market Business in the lead throughout whole process In a limited number of key business areas, with strong track record or strong potential Government budget to be at least € 200 mln per year, matched at least equally from other parties

Context of user-driven innovation programmes Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Context of user-driven innovation programmes Innovation Policy in the Netherlands Ministry revised innovation policy in 2005 From governments perspective, new policy offers: flexible and customised approach less instruments with more coherence less, more accessible helpdesks fewer acquisition costs and administrative burden From an industrial perspective, companies jointly discuss ambitions and bottlenecks in innovation process and find common areas for co-innovation and co-investment

Context of user-driven innovation programmes Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Context of user-driven innovation programmes The new set of instruments

Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands The Process

The Process Orientation phase Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Mix of dialogue and analyses Bottom-up: companies and knowledge institutes organise themselves and jointly identify promising areas Important aspects are: international position status and trend of economic value future perspectives and trends At the end of this phase go/no go on starting dedicated government team

The Process Agenda setting Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Industry establishes a joint vision of future opportunities and threats ... ... and develops joint focus and ambition Ambition should be translated into a strategic (innovation) agenda This process is difficult and time consuming The role of the ministry is limited but important Important question: are there bottlenecks in which there is a potential role for government? External Strategic Advisory Commission advices on continuation by developing an innovation programme

The Process Action planning Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Development of innovation programme is done by industry, but with stronger support from government Development consists of planning the right actions determine optimal governance structure determine programme logic (or intervention logic) developing monitoring & evaluation plan determine required resources Strategic Advisory Committee advises on OK for start innovation programme

Experiences and Lessons learned Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Experiences and Lessons learned A quick start...but a long process current status of programmes Three innovation programmes started, in the areas of Nano-electronics & embedded systems, Food & Nutrition and Water technology more innovation programmes are being developed, in the areas Maritime, Automotive, Chemical Industries, Life Sciences & Health

Experiences and Lessons learned Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Experiences and Lessons learned Lessons learned by industry A cultural change is required It is difficult and requires trust to share information on future developments and to build joint programmes Difficult to think and act broader than R&D-projects Time-consuming

Experiences and Lessons learned Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Experiences and Lessons learned Lessons learned by government Implementation power is necessary Involve SME’s through dedicated workshops Critical reflection is necessary

Discussion Some unresolved issues Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Discussion Some unresolved issues Ensuring sufficient renewal of networks Role of industry versus government Measuring the impact

Outlook Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands Successful approach for public-private partnerships Coupling of planning and implementation is crucial Methodology applicable to other fields: for example in tackling societal or environmental issues

Main conclusions Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands The Netherlands have created an approach for developing user-driven innovation programmes, where industrial foresight processes are integrated with actual (policy) implementation Experiences so far are positive Methodology applicable to other fields Thank you for attention!