‘Entrepreneurship Through Innovation in Epirus: ENTI’ An Innovative Action Complementing Development Policies and Looking at the Future by Katerina Filippou-Keramida Manager Director, BIC of Epirus, IOANNINA, GREECE Brussels, October 8, 2004

What about EPIRUS…?

Some Key Characteristics of the Region of Epirus 3,2% of Greek Population 2,7 % of Greek GDP 3,2% of Greek Population 2,7 % of Greek GDP Surface: 9,203 KM2 6,7% of Greece Surface: 9,203 KM2 6,7% of Greece 4.4% of Research Institutes & Universities 7 th among the 13 Greek Regions 4.4% of Research Institutes & Universities 7 th among the 13 Greek Regions Strategic Position Big Construction Works Natural Beauty Historical Monuments Strategic Position Big Construction Works Natural Beauty Historical Monuments Employment rate: Epirus 45,20% Unemployment rates: Epirus 11,19% Employment rate: Epirus 45,20% Unemployment rates: Epirus 11,19%

Production Sectors of the Region of Epirus The first and the second one provide negative data. The third sector, services provision, appear to develop

Entrepreneurship of the Region of Epirus Medium Sized enterprises Most of the enterprises are limited to the services sector Fewer enterprises are implicated to exporting Large investments are lately in progress

Some Key Characteristics of the Region Advantages Geographical Position Geo-Physical products Tourism of all sorts Cultural Heritage New Transport & Construction works R&D Organisations Food & Beverages Industry Transport Services Disadvantages Very small production units Lack of large Scale Industries Low level of specialisation & Training Quality Problems in Products & Services Low interaction between the R&D System and the Local Firms

Excellence The key characteristics that drive a Regional Economy or an Economic Area in performing better than others in certain fields of economic activity. The key characteristics that drive a Regional Economy or an Economic Area in performing better than others in certain fields of economic activity. These can be policies, schemes, methodologies, technologies, natural resources, culture, human resources, financing etc.

What is ENTI…?

Entrepreneurship Through Innovation in Epirus renews the efforts to support the development of the region based on innovation promotion and knowledge The main objective of the project is to promote innovative entrepreneurship through the identification of innovative opportunities and the application of innovative techniques.

ENTI – Key Thematic Areas Selected thematic areas where the program focuses: Regional economies based on knowledge and technological innovation E-EuropeRegio : the information society at the service of regional development

ENTI – key functions (1/2) ENTI aspires to develop innovative and risky actions due to the support of entrepreneurship through innovation in the region of Epirus directing to: ENTI aspires to develop innovative and risky actions due to the support of entrepreneurship through innovation in the region of Epirus directing to: Recognition and promotion of new investing opportunities as a result of infrastructure development in the Region of Epirus, through the creation of new enterprises, especially in the service sector Recognition and promotion of new investing opportunities as a result of infrastructure development in the Region of Epirus, through the creation of new enterprises, especially in the service sector Pilot implementation of innovative training methods targeting the development and support of innovation Pilot implementation of innovative training methods targeting the development and support of innovation

ENTI – key functions (2/2) Promotion and diffusion of private capital in the region of Epirus Pilot promotion of e-commerce and information management throughout local enterprises Application of a regional forecasting practice Creation of an Interface Committee for Innovation Application of an awareness campaign.

ENTI designed…

ENTI – INTERNAL FLOW CHART I Guide on New Employment Opportunities ENTRA - Study ENTOUR - Study 6 Workshops ENICT - Study Guide on New Investment Opportunities Working Groups ICT TOURISM TRANSPORT Congress of Innovative Entrepreneurship Congress of Innovative Entrepreneurship

ENTI – INTERNAL FLOW CHART II Training schemes for 120 entrepreneurs Support of 60 entrepreneurs Analysis and description of innovative training needs in Tourism Analysis and description of innovative training needs in Transport Networks Analysis and description of innovative training needs in ICT

ENTI – INTERNAL FLOW CHART III Pilot Action Development of E-commerce portal facility Development of E-commerce portal facility Training Sessions for Potential Entrepreneurs Training Sessions for Potential Entrepreneurs Documentation of E-Commerce Services Documentation of E-Commerce Services Regional Foresight Exercise Regional Foresight Exercise Develop a common understanding of the main threats and opportunities in a years horizon and creation of alternative scenarios for future development Emphasis in 3 sectors: TOURISM TRANSPORT ICT

Factors influencing regional policy makers 1 km of Highway = 3m Euros 2004 ! Olympics Visibility Absorption Long-term I postpone things that I do not understand or I do not understand their impact Political- Financial Security Who will do this intellectual Job? Uncertainty Lack of Resources Count on external

ENTI - Targets (I) Political Awareness Political Awareness Regions’ Authorities Regions’ Authorities – Direct involvement of Policy Makers Research Institutes and Local Actors Research Institutes and Local Actors Ideas Directly from Companies Ideas Directly from Companies – (Development of the SMEs ability to collaborate and network – Business Plan Competition) Communication & Networking Platform Communication & Networking Platform – (Website, Newsletter, Progress Report,, Visiting Schemes)

ENTI - Main Targets (II) Work on High Priority Innovation Policy Areas for Regions Work on High Priority Innovation Policy Areas for Regions – Identification of investment opportunities – Support of 60 entrepreneurs – Creation of 120 newly trained entrepreneurs – Attraction of Business Angels & Financing – Development of e-commerce facilities

ENTI : in collaboration with the Regional Operational Plan (ROP) of Epirus…

ROP of Epirus 2000 – The strategic goals envisaged by the ROP are the following: (1/2) The potential use of new infrastructures – transportation projects – that make the region as the “Western Gate” The city of Ioannina and other urban units activation as Regional Units – International Development Centers The appointment and utilization of the natural and cultural reserves of the countryside – utilization of the new prospects of Epirus in the littorals

ROP of Epirus 2000 – The strategic goals envisaged by the ROP are the following: (2/2) Utilization of the natural and cultural resources of the Region for the tourism development Encouragement of the creation, introduction and utilization of Innovative Actions Harmonization of the interference in the Community Legislation regarding the environmental issues Provision of properly trained human resources adjusted to the new conditions that are formed in Epirus.

ENTI and ROP of EPIRUS ENTI and ROP of EPIRUS Strategic Goals of ROP INNOVATIVE AND FLEXIBLE TRAINING REGIONAL FORESIGHT EXERCISE NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES INNOVATION POLICY INTERFACE COMMITTEE INNOVATION WEEK EFFICIENT PRO- MOTION OF PRIVATE FINANCING E-COMMERCE & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

ENTI : …observing the evolution of Innovation and Development Policies in Greece and in Europe…

European Innovation Policy & Greece Struct. Funds FP GR Inn. Policy GR Reg. Policy Infrastructures Infrastructures & Networking Networking –Start-ups Entrepreneurship Financial Autonomy 10% on Innovation RTP/RITTS/RIS RIS-NACs Innovative Actions

ENTI : Close to the main targets of the New Action Plan on Innovation in Europe…

ENTI – In line with all Key Objectives of the Action Plan for Innovation (I) Objective 1: Innovate Everywhere Objective 1: Innovate Everywhere Objective 2: Get Innovation on the Market Objective 2: Get Innovation on the Market Objective 3: Knowledge Everywhere Objective 3: Knowledge Everywhere – Make the most of intellectual property opportunities – Enhance knowledge transfer and absorption – An R&D Framework Programme active for innovation

Action Plan - Key Objectives (II) Objective 4: Invest in Innovation Objective 4: Invest in Innovation – Mobilise European Financial Instruments – Gear the European Structural Funds towards Innovation – Proactive State Aid Policies for Innovation Objective 5: Skills for Innovation Objective 5: Skills for Innovation Objective 6: Efficient innovation governance Objective 6: Efficient innovation governance

ENTI : …in line with the Greek National Operational Programmes…

ENTI & Other Operational Programs (1/2) The Operational Program of the Ministry of Development “Competitiveness and Development” has stated as its basic aims : ‘the reinforcement of the employment and the improvement of the technological skills of the Greek firms’ Under these frameworks some actions are financed in the manufacture and services sectors, the research and technology, the tourism sector, power sector and the electronic entrepreneurship. The Operational Program for the Information Society: promotes actions for the enhancement of the economic structure and the employment with the utilization of the new technologies, the promotion of networking of scientific and the technological capacity of the country with the production, the improvement or the integration of the new technologies and innovation in Greek Firms, the improvement of the international competitiveness of the Greek companies based on the high technology and their ability to capital access, the promotion of e-business and e-commerce, the new technology integration in the cultural activities and in public administration and many others.

ENTI & Other Operational Programs (2/2) Information Society (e-Europe): All proposed actions take into consideration the Community and national initiatives for e-Europe, and the entrance of all services into the information society. The actions are compatible with the application at regional and local level of the “introduction of citizens”, companies and infrastructures into the digital “age”. The actions are using the initiatives promoted by the information society as supportive tools to network the “local areas of excellence”, to identify and apply the pilot activities for new investment opportunities and facilitate and reorient the training mechanisms. Research: Goal of this proposal is to go one step further from the existing programs and support initiatives. The goal is to mobilize the entrepreneurial world into new directions in order to use the new research infrastructures for development, certification and training. Our proposal promotes the bridging between firm and research and development infrastructures and creates the appropriate mentality for further collaboration into the new Research Areas.

And what about the future?  International Networking  Interregional Networking  Application of policy options from the Foresight Exercise  Further engagement of the Innovation Policy Committee after ENTI  Wide awareness of the entrepreneurs of the region – rise of the private capital investment  Implementation of the innovative management techniques  Mobilization of Banks for innovative financing  Promotion and further development of e-networking of all the regional actors

Thank you ! Business and Innovation Centre of Epirus (BIC of Epirus) Science & Technology Park of Epirus University Campus GR Ioannina Tel : , Fax: Website: