1 Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST) FUTURREG - Futures for Regional Development - Kick-off Meeting Cardiff 19 th September 2005 Lisa Pace

2 Remit: To promote a national vision for research and innovation-based development using systematic approaches to policy-making and governance in science, technology and innovation. Work Focus: –Research, Technological Development & Innovation Audit –RTDI Strategy; Competitiveness Strategy –Foresight –Ongoing Initiatives

3 ! Overview of National S&T and Innovation System

4 National Vision Systematic approaches: More rational, stepped policy approaches Treating the policy framework as a system Assessing the system’s strengths/weaknesses Exploring future directions and priorities Improving the dynamics of the system by exploiting synergies with other players: Towards a structured inter-ministerial dialogue on research and innovation. Looking at whole policy cycle – from design to approval to implementation Embedding our approaches in other national players and strategies-in-the-making ((NCSD - Sustainable Development, NISCO - ICT, ME- Business Promotion, Competitiveness)

5 Research, Technological Development & Innovation Audit Identifies key strengths & weaknesses of the Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RTDI) system in Malta Two key thrusts:  quantitative audit covering R&D and innovation statistics;  qualitative audit covering the RTDI setup and evaluations of excellence in particular sectors.

6 RTDI Audit – Key Results EU Innovation Scoreboard Global Competitiveness Ranking 2002/3 RTDI Strategy presented to Cabinet in 2003 RTDI Programme launched in 2004 Other RTDI surveys

7 National RTDI Programme Launched in 2004, it aimed at building a culture for sustained scientific research and innovation activity. Themes addressed open-ended. Consisted of 3 Sub-Programmes:Capacity- building; Scientific Research and SME Collaborative Research Funding Schemes. 14 Funded projects.

8 Exchange of Foresight Relevant Experiences among Small European Enlargement Countries The RTDI Audit provided a snapshot of the current situation. Foresight provides the tools for for ‘whole of country’ approaches to long-term policy design and implementation (2003-) and start-up of new foresight projects. 3 Pilots focused on: oExploring Knowledge Futures in Information Communication Technology and Education in 2020 oRealizing a Thriving Maltese Biotechnology Industry by 2015 oTowards Enhancing the Marine’s Sector Contribution to the Maltese Economy in

9 Ongoing EU Projects National Contact Point Projects IST Mentor + 54,605 Ideal IST 3435,900 Start20,140 Trainnet Future34,144 Boost MT391,600 Integrating ACC38,282 SMEs go Lifesciences37,380 Policy /Foresight projects ERANET ForSociety77,000 Eranet MARINERA MED7 46,000 INNFORMED (Mediterranean foresight)

10 FP6 Results 77 different entities have submitted proposals in FP6 with 22 being involved in projects. 18 projects were submitted by Maltese coordinators with 6 being funded. 31 different SMEs have submitted proposals in FP6 with 8 being involved in projects. 5.3 Million euros so far…

11 ESF FOR-LINK PROJECT CORE ENTITIES NETWORK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES SUPPORTING SMES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORE ENTITIES TEAM MANAGERS PARTICIPATION IN EU INNOVATING REGIONS OF EUROPE NETWORK

12 EU TENDERS NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT FOR EU INNOVATION TRENDCHART – REPORT FINALISED. FORESIGHT KNOWLEDGE PLATFORM – SCENARIOS FOR AFRICA AND MONITORING EU FORESIGHT DEVELOPMENTS FOR-LEARN – REVIEW OF ON-LINE GUIDE EU IPTS ERAWATCH Malta Report

13 Contacts Dr. Jennifer Cassingena Harper Project Co-ordinator Director Policy Unit, MCST Lisa Pace Assistant Senior Researcher MCST