1. Annual Review Meeting OP for Cohesion Policy Funds Specific Thematic Focus 2 - Review the status and state of play of Smart specialization strategy in Latvia
Riga, 23th November

2. RIS3 monitoring model (+ structured Advisory forums, 2016)
Latvian Science and Innovation Strategic Council
Strategic vision, decisions
Line ministries
[Investment programs; Evaluation criteria; Progress reports, Impact assessment]
Ministry of Finance
[SF Managing Authority functions, incl. risk management, amendments, conformity control]
EU funds Monitoring Committee
[oversees SF implementation, confirms evaluation criteria, etc.]
Information on OP implementation
Reports on implementation of measures
RIS3 Progress reports
(MoES + MoE)
Entrepreneurial discovery
RIS3 public discussion platforms 
+ 11 Thematic Industry Segment Councils

3. Instruments of RIS3 monitoring - I
Extension of data provision
Expansion of R&I survey data
Development of science information system
Thematic studies; Program implementation analysis
Better program governance
Public discussions (Entrepr.discovery)
Implementation control; quality management
Analytical capacity building
Training
Advanced Study programs
Research on innovation

4. Instruments of RIS3 monitoring - II
Actions taken/ Work in progress
Extension of data provision
Thematic studies:
R&D ex-post evaluation; WB survey on governance of HEEs
Statistics: Survey on Careers of Doctoral Holders;
Starting 2017 – expansion of statistical data on R&I
IS: IS development + links with Use Science database
governance
Better program
Quality management: EU database experts for research quality evaluation
Public discussions: Analytical descriptions of spec.areas;
11 Thematic Industry Segment Councils
Training:
Work with Latvian School of Public Admin. on Training content (SO 342)
Analytical capacity building
Advanced Study programs: SO 821 – in preparation
Research on innovation: Foresight, SO 111

5. Link between the RIS3 priorities and selection of operations (SO1) (1/2)
Measure
Implementation status
Compliance with RIS3
Practical research projects
Selection of research project applications (decisions on approval/ rejection) until 30th November
Two quality sub-criteria foresee to evaluate project contribution to:
(1) the project goal with directions of the transformation of economy and at least one growth priority defined in RIS3;
(2) how specific project results will contribute to the resolution of the problem/s defined in the RIS3 growth priorities (one or more)
Support for postdoctoral studies
Submission of research project applications until 30th November
Projects shall contribute to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas (eligibility criteria)

6. Link between the RIS3 priorities and selection of operations (SO1) (2/2)
Measure
Implementation status
Compliance with RIS3
Innovation grants for students
Not yet designed
Project criteria shall include evaluation of project contribution to the RIS3 implementation
Development of R&D infrastructure in RIS3 areas and institutional capacity development of research institutions
Program is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 16 August
Evaluation criteria foresee that project application shall justify project’s contribution to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas, including the contribution to creating more jobs for highly qualified workers (eligibility criteria)
Support for international cooperation in science and technologies
Undergoing public discussion
Draft evaluation criteria foresee that project application shall justify project’s contribution to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas (eligibility criteria)

7. Synergies with other instruments
Mechanism of funding highly ranked Horizon 2020 project proposals that are not funded due to budget exhaustion:
measure No
measure No
measure No
MoES is participating in Nordic Council of Ministers’ mobility program for public administration with the project “Baltic -Nordic networking: transfer of good practices on research and innovation policies”. One of its main activity is to share experience among Latvia, Finland and Denmark about R&D policy implementation regarding RIS3.

8. Thank you!