Developing Smart Specialization Strategies for Cluster Improvement Francesco Molinari, Budapest, 18 September 2013

Contents ClusterPoliSEE fact sheet Project focus Problem(s) addressed Specific objectives Workflow of activities Current status Areas of interest Learning mechanisms / objects Reflective policy making patterns The Policy Learning Space Some interim conclusions Future work and ways of collaboration 2Francesco MolinariBudapest,

ClusterPoliSEE fact sheet Strategic project, led by the Marche Region and managed by SVIM SpA (in-house company) 24 partners (+1 associated member) from 11 SEE countries Timeline: May 2012 – October 2014 (30 months) Official website: Policy learning platform (still under construction): 3Francesco MolinariBudapest,

Project focus “(Design of) smart specialization strategies for cluster improvement” “A methodological approach based on experiments in reflective policy making, basis for better policy formulation and implementation, foreseeing the creation of mutual learning tools” 4Francesco MolinariBudapest, Source: ClusterPoliSEE AF

Problem(s) addressed Regional socio-economic (and policy making capacity) disparities in the SEE space Need for fact-based cluster policies addressing the framework conditions for innovation and competitiveness in a more reflective way Lack of guidelines for the creation/support of transnational clusters with a distribution of local and foreign actors at different stages of the value chain Budapest, Francesco Molinari5

Specific objectives 1.Setup and population of a Policy Learning Platform 2.National/regional Cluster Policy Assessment within the partnership 3.Development and pilot testing of new Policy Learning Mechanisms 4.Capitalisation of results in terms of a SEE level Cluster Cooperation Initiative 6Francesco MolinariBudapest,

Workflow of activities Budapest, Francesco Molinari Platform design 1.2. Setup 1.3. Population Permanent Heritage Permanent Heritage 2.1 Evidence gathering 2.2. Policy assessment 3.1 Pilot experiments 3.2. Learning mechanisms Lessons learnt Practical examples 4. SEE Cluster Initiative Immediate capitalisation

Current status Budapest, Francesco Molinari Platform design 1.2. Setup 1.3. Population Clustering with other projects 2.1 Evidence gathering 2.2. Policy assessment 3.1 Pilot experiments 3.2. Learning mechanisms Lessons learnt Practical examples 4. SEE Cluster Initiative Immediate capitalisation Work done FinalisedOngoing Planned

Welcome page of the PLP To be added Budapest, Francesco Molinari9

Six areas of interest Innovation Skills and Jobs SustainabilitySpecialisation CooperationFinancing Budapest, Francesco Molinari10

Six internal Working Groups WG1 R&D and Innovation Policy WG6 Skills & Jobs Creation WG2 Sustainability, Eco-Innovation WG5 Regional (Smart) Specialisation WG3 International Cooperation WG4 Financial Framework Budapest, Francesco Molinari11

Logical flow (others are possible) Innovation Skills and Jobs SustainabilitySpecialisation CooperationFinancing Budapest, Francesco Molinari12

Learning Mechanisms WG1WG2WG3WG4WG5WG6 Training sessions (consideration of past actions) Foresight workshops (building future scenarios and strategies) SWOT analyses (provision of guidelines) Study visits (comparative benchmarking) Budapest, Francesco Molinari13  Not a linear, but a recursive process!

Learning Objects Annotated collections of: – Scientific / policy documents – Case study descriptions Hands-on experience of methods and tools, such as: – Foresight experiments – SWOT analyses – Survey questionnaires – Assessment exercises – Study visits Results of platform enabled project work, including: – Working groups / discussion forums / calls for ideas / eLearning sessions (Moodle) 14Francesco MolinariBudapest,

Reflective policy making patterns Budapest, Francesco Molinari15 Model Transfer Exchange Take Stock Single Loop Learning “How to do things right” Double Loop Learning “How to do the right things” Triple Loop Learning “How to decide what is right” WG activities + platform activities (coming soon)

The Policy Learning Space 16Francesco MolinariBudapest, Who learns Learns what What for WG members Colleagues (civil servants) Elected officials Community members Learning objects Learning mechanisms Reflective capacity To do things right To do the right things To decide what is right

(Interim) Conclusions Learning is an individual, but also a collective endeavour, and the relations between the two are still fuzzy and unexplored In managerial theory, (organisational) learning is almost invariably associated to change If there is no change, this is a sign that there has been no learning! Change quite often takes place by adaptation, rather than adoption, of external knowledge The most challenging task is to learn how to adapt pre-existing / available know-how from one to another situation Required skills and resources for policy learning and change (learn what) are varying in dependence of the personal identity (who learns) and the purposes of learning (why, what is this for) In ClusterPoliSEE, we are testing the potential of a suitably designed and developed platform to act as both learning source and stimulus for sustainable change Budapest, Francesco Molinari17

Next steps a)Configure and populate the Policy Learning Platform with project results, being mapped and tagged in terms of relevance (pertinence) to: The learner’s identity and purposes (Single/Double/Triple Loop Learning) Their nature of learning objects / mechanisms / reflective skills The six thematic domains of the project’s WGs b)Make strategic alliances with current/past consortia and organisations, to the purpose of sharing knowledge and expanding the platform’s user base c)Experiment on one or more applications of the Smart Specialisation concept, by “creating or enhancing cross national clusters” and activities d)Elaborate the joint action plan and initiative for the SEE space, based on this experience and lessons learnt Budapest, Francesco Molinari18

Possible synergies European Cluster Alliance PRO-INNO European Cluster Memorandum Smart Specialisation Strategy Platform Budapest, Francesco Molinari19

Thanks for your kind attention To join our efforts and for any further information please contact: Budapest, Francesco Molinari20