CONCLUSIONS ON REGION PROFILES

General comparison The partner regions are divergent with respect to: -economic potential, -the structure of economy -the pace of economic development -GDP per capita

Similarities : -in most regions agriculture and traditional industries still play major roles -the most developed regions are Weser-Ems and Upper Austria -Andalucia and South Aegean have the most resillient tourism sector -agriculture constitutes a fundamental branch of economy in Lubelskie Region as well as in Andalucia -despite a comparatively high share of services in GRP of the majority of regions, the non-market services or traditional service profiles (trade and transportation) enjoy a considerable share as well

Border regions : -high level of development exists only in Dreenthe and Groningen regions in Holland -The remaining border regions (in Russia, Ukraine, countries of North Africa) are characterized by:  low level of economic activity  low income  high unemployment  outdated structure of production (inefficient agriculture and heavy industries)  slow modernization processes

Tips for Y4I 1.The wealthy regions (Weser-Ems and Upper Austria) should be a valuable example for the less wealthy regions 2.The diffusion of innovations, including the knowledge and experience, should involve not only the EU regions but also the border regions 3.Concerning the poor business nad innovation culture in many Y4I regions, activities within the framework of the project, may consequently help to generate the influx of external capital

4.The project Y4I activities, targeted at arousing the youth’s interest in innovation issues, should increase activity in sectors of the future, e.g. IT 5.The instruments of innovation proposed by the project Y4I may contribute to the development of the less wealthy regions and to achieve greater social and economic cohesion in the EU

Short summary in numbers

General characteristics of the region WE Germany UA Austria SAE Greece LUB Poland AND Spain NK Finland Surface in km Inhabitants in million 2,41,30,32,1917,8490,168

Regional economy WE Germany UA Austria SAE Greece LUB Poland AND Spain NK Finland Labour force NA Unemploy- ed NA NA Unemploy ment rate 11,1%4,4%NA17%13,8%14,5%

Regional economy WE Germany UA Austria SAE Greece LUB Poland AND Spain NK Finland GDP in total in million euro NA NA Share of sectors in GDP 3,4%2%7,7%5,3%5,5%8,4% 30,7%30%7,4%18,9%23%28% 65,9%68%84%75,8%71,5%73,5%