FTA-Approaches integrated in the broader SPI Context Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments *G. Clar, **H. Acheson, *S. Hafner-Zimmermann, *B. Sautter *Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, **Forfás Third International Seville Conference on Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA): Impacts and implications for policy and decision-making 16 th - 17 th October 2008

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments FTA Strengthening the Role of Regional Actors Regional dimension of key importance in innovation policy Vertical / horizontal roles of regional actors FTA tools as strategic instruments for boosting regional development. With an improved decision base, and more innovative & less risky choices: public actors …. enterprises ….. Important to intensely link the EU and regional levels, and to develop & strengthen both strategic AND innovative capacities also at the regional level

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments The SEZ – linking the regional and the EU level

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments SEZ Regional Strategies & Innovation Group – linking approaches

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Facilitating the (Trans-)Regional Use of FTA More systematic use of FTA-based approaches CAN increase both effectiveness and efficiency of regional RTDI policies, AND also contribute to EU-wide optimisation of RTDI priorities and programmes,.. if methods and tools are better adapted to the needs and possibilities at the regional level RTDI related policy discourses (ERA, RTDI governance, Innov-mgmt) if the implementation of FTA exercises is better adapted to regional/sectoral policy development and support cycles regional/sectoral priority issues a more systematic involvement of multiple stakeholders if regional exercises benefit from more trans-regional cooperation if regional exercises are optimally positioned in national & EU contexts in order to improve RTDI policies, strategies, and investments

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Facilitating the (Trans-)Regional Use of FTA What didwe aim for with our work in the last years ? we – a core group from 16 territories with additional invitees from policy (all governance levels), research and industry Facilitating & incentivising the use of FTA/SPI-based approaches through a better understanding of both research & practice, and strategic capacity building: Concepts & methodology Tools Training & transfer modules Concrete projects for regional SPI applications in order to improve RTDI policies, strategies, and investments

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments FTA Integrated in the Broader SPI Context SPI (Strategic Policy Intelligence) (S&T) Foresight Visions & optimised priorities Innov & Tech Assessment, Ex-ante Evaluation Agendas, Prioritised Action Lines (S&T) Roadmapping Focused Agendas, Optimised Programs Monitoring of the implementation Results / Changes Strategic Evaluation, (Innovation) Audits, Benchmarking Recommendations for future actions - the set of actions to search, process, diffuse and protect information to make it available to..…. …to make the right decision.

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Adapting Methods & Tools to Regional Needs Support tools focusing on the need of regional actors, and optimising the use of the regionally available instruments and knowledge The RegStrat Guide (ISBN ) and Compendium

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate SPI Methods in Policy Discourse Context 2007 Green Paper ERA – New Perspectives 2005: New Start for LisbonCohesion Policy for Growth & JobsAho-Report etc. 2000: Lisbon Strategy ERA Barcelona 3 % ERA – Reg. Dimension 1993 White Paper Compet. Employ. Growth 1995 Green Paper on Innovation Optimising Research Progr. & Priorities ERA-Expert Groups Ljubljana Process ERA-Instruments ERA Vision 2020 Road-Map: 5 Initiatives Political Steering Mechanisms ERA-Rationales Joint Programming COM (2008) 468 Knowledge Transfer / IPR Researcher Mobility & Careers...

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate SPI methods in current policy discussions ERA-Expert Group Optimising Research Programmes & Priorities Report based on the SPI/FTA cycle

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate Methods in related policy discussions ERA-Expert Group Optimising Research Programmes & Priorities The groups suggestions included: joined / interconnected foresight & TA exercises to develop a common vision with priorities for trans-national research commonly based strategic benchmarking & evaluation approaches More strategic trans-national/regional programming & coordination using differentiated approaches for frontier science, applied research, societal research ERA-Frame, a legal framework for optimising the implementation of all ERA- structuring cooperation mechanisms Focus should be on EU-wide optimisation, not joint programming per se

(S&T) Foresight Visions & optimised priorities Innov & Tech Assessment, Ex-ante Evaluation Agendas, Prioritised Action Lines (S&T) Roadmapping Focused Agendas, Optimised Programs Monitoring of the implementation Results / Changes Strategic Evaluation, (Innovation) Audits, Benchmarking Recommendations for future actions FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Harnessing the Potential of Integrated Approaches The RegStrat Regional Case Studies

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments (S&T) Foresight Visions & optim. priorities Innov & Tech Assessm, Ex-ante Evaluation Agendas, Prioritised Action Lines (S&T) Roadmapping Focused Agendas, Optimised Programs Monitoring of implementation Results / Changes Strategic Evaluation (Innovation) Audits, Benchmarking Recommendations for future actions Integrate FTA Methods in Innovation Management Supporting / improving the design of, e.g. Regional innovation strategies (sub)sector roadmaps (industry sectors, economy sectors,..) (upgrading, reorienting, …) New innovation support schemes (cluster management, trans-border cooperation, multi- stakeholder networks, ….) New knowledge managemt & transfer schemes

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate FTA Methods in Innovation Management Linking Forward and Outward Looking Approaches in response to the globalising knowledge-economy – enterprises and policy makers enterprises with the aim to follow collaborative & open innovation strategies which enable them to compete successfully for future markets RTDI policy makers with the objective to follow systemic approaches (e.g. for cluster development) in trans-policy-area and trans-regional perspectives facilitate successful science-industry-government collaboration support global knowledge flows, strategic learning processes and collaboration between localised innovation hot spots Strategic Capacity Building (firms & clusters) to Enhance Future-oriented Collaborative & Open Innovation Processes

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate FTA Methods in Innovation Management More systematic involvement of multiple stakeholders in multi-level FTA Excellency Cluster exercises to synchronise business with cluster strategies: Cluster stakeholders think and debate in coordinated FTA exercises, at cluster, sub-cluster and firm level, about future trends and common challenges, create a shared cluster vision and strategy, synchronise their (business) strategies with macro-level cluster strategies and derive collaborative innovation projects to raise RTDI investments & improve impacts of RTDI activities. Strategic Cluster Development in the context of the German Excellency Cluster competition

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Integrate FTA Methods in Innovation Management SPI-based approach to trans-regional Research Agendas for promoting ICT-innovation in Creative Industries The (trans-regional) Joint Research Agenda, contributes to better focus, effectiveness and efficiencies of public & private policies and strategies (strategic capacity building) more RTDI investments boosting ICT-innovation in Creative Industries sustainable cluster development through its long-term competitiveness trans- reg. level Regional Feedback Reg. Validation & Project Developm. beyond CReATE Increasing Outreach & Impact Regional Analysis & FS/TA to arrive at Research Priorities regional level Common Framework Matching Regional Priorities Joint Research Agenda Cross- Regional Projects

FTA-SPI for Improving Regional RTDI Policies & Investments Summary and Outlook The key features of SPI/FTA-based approaches providing strategic knowledge making available the specific knowledge and ensuring the long-term commitment of all relevant stakeholders and innovation partners make them especially valuable for regional applications. In addition to SPI for RTDI policy design and priority setting, the interrelationship SPI – Innovation Management gains in importance – for the enterprises and the related policy-makers. The EUs competitiveness can be improved through a higher impact of (Community, national and regional) RTDI investments if FTA/SPI related progress in Europes regions is made with trans-regional, EU-wide perspectives in mind.