1. NRW Objective 2-Competitions of Innovation Results, Experiences and Consequences
Dr. Claudia Schulte, Objective 2 Secretariat/agiplan GmbH
Brüssel,
Bruessel,

2. Objective 2 Secretariat
Supporting the Managing Authority in programme implementation by:
providing advice to all institutions involved in programme implementation
coordinating the processes associated with programme implementation
developing the management and control system
developing and implementing a monitoring system as a steering instrument
developing new funding instruments (e.g. revolving funds, JESSICA-fund)
public relations, maintaining Objective 2 website
designing and monitoring programme evaluations
reporting
training
Bruessel,

3. NRW Objective 2 Programme 2007- 2013 (ERDF)
Strengthening the basis of business
Innovation and knowledge- based economy
Sustainable urban and regional development
Providing financial support to SME and start-up companies
Innovation, promotion of clusters and networks in industry
Integrated development of areas of urban deprivation
Offering advice to SME and start-ups
Industry-oriented technology
and research infrastructures
Removal of developmental shortcomings esp. in industrial regions
Innovative services
Inter- and intraregional cooperation
Sustainable development
Equality between women and men and non-discrimination
Bruessel,

4. NRW Objective 2 Programme 2007- 2013 (ERDF)
Strengthening the basis of business
Innovation and knowledge- based economy
Sustainable urban and regional development
Bruessel,

5. Implementation of the Objective 2-Programme
The implementation of the Objective 2-Programme occurs as a matter of principle by competitions!
Competitions are an efficient instrument to support creativity by new ideas and the attendance for experiments!
Target of the competitions are furthermore, to
support the one‘s own initiative of the players
make the selection criteria and selection policy transparent
get comparable project proposals
strengthen the position of the state and its regions to use them efficiently
The quality of the projects is the important point and not the location of the applicants.
Bruessel,

6. Implementation of the Competitions
Competitions with stipulated Objective 2-Budgets
Competitions to
NRW-Cluster
Regional-Competition Cluster and cluster capability
Cross-sectional themes (e.g. tourism, foundations)
Jury with extern experts
Duration of the competitions not longer than 10 months
Bruessel,

7. Implementation of the competition proceeding Two-stage process competition proceeding
Competition phase:
Creativ phase and creation of the project draft
Evaluation
Appraisal and Jury meeting
Application phase:
Qualification and Application of the recommended project drafts
Bruessel,

8. Implementation of the competition proceedings Possible grant elements
Pre-competition development
Industrial research
Consulting of SME
Training for involved persons
Market launch help (studies, equipment investment, introduction)
Modernisation of technology infrastructure
Networking e.g. for an increase collaboration along the chain of value added for a concrete project
Bruessel,

9. Cluster Policy Made in NRW
NRW’s cluster control: 16 state clusters
Bruessel,

10. Implementation of the programme by competitions:
Competitions of the 1st and 2nd round selected by primary markets
Healthcare
Med in.NRW (2008/2009)
InnoMet.NRW (2009)
Nutrition.NRW (2008)
In-depth Knowledge Production and Services
ICT.NRW (2008)
Media.NRW (2008/2009)
Create.NRW (2008/2009)
KnowledgeSector.NRW (2008)
Transport and Logistics
Automotive.NRW (2008/2009)
Production.NRW (2008/2009)
Logistics.NRW (2008/2009)
New Materials and Production Technologies
CheK.NRW (2008/2009)
NanoMicro+Materials.NRW (2008/2009)
Bio.NRW (2009)
Resource.NRW (2009)
Energy
Energy.NRW (2008/2009)
EnergyResearch.NRW (2008/2009)
Cross-sectional Themes
Tourism.NRW (2008/2010) Foundation.NRW (2009) (2008/2009)
Transfer.NRW (2008/2009) CityCentreLocation.NRW RegioCluster.NRW (2008/2009)
Hightech.NRW (2008/2009)
Bruessel,

11. Actual state of affairs of the NRW Objective 2-Competitions 2007- 2009
First competitions round finished with jury decision!
There has been 10 competitions started yet in the second round, herefrom 6 have passed the application deadline and thereof already 3 jury decisions
422 projects of the 1st round and 26 projects in the 2nd round are already recommended from the jury for project grant
Overall more than project drafts were submitted
Bruessel,

12. Previous experiences with the competition proceedings Evaluation results of the 1st competition round
Competition proceedings
cause to a high activation of new project applicants, a mobilisation of the structural political players, and to a mobilisation of the specific regional skills
Create a established basis for comparison for the decisions about the eligibility for assistance of a project and create hence a high transparency regarding jury decisions
Mobilisation of „new“ project enrolees cause applicants with no experience and needs hence a high consultancy assistance
„Competition of Innovations“ is often misunderstood by the regions as „Competition of the Regions“
Bruessel,

13. Previous experiences with the competition proceedings Evaluation results of the 1st competition round
Competition proceedings
It exists an area of conflict concerning the project selection between extern experts and the safekeeping and continuation of a political corporate strategy
Over 60% Cooperations: Competitions enhance the regional self-organisation by regional alliances, networks, institutions („get familiar with your neighbours…“)
In all cluster competitions is a high part of energy and resource efficient innovation projects (so far ca. 25% for climate protection and energy security): Lisbon-strategy respond to new, global challenges
All regions participate, if the basic conditions (basis infrastructure) are almost comparable: Balances- and Lisbon goals have not to be contradictionary!
Bruessel,

14. Results of the evaluation
Strategic relevance and internal coherence
In every projects remarkable target contribution
Concentration of the ERDF money on the strength of NRW
Strategic relevance is given
Analysis of the internal coherence of the first competition round
The internal coherence has room for improvements
Bruessel,

15. Results of the evaluation
Implementation procedures of the competitions comparable with competitions of other institutions
Specific feature: extensive and comprehensive implementation of the competitions
High quantity and the heterogeneity of competitions caused inconsistence and implementation-problems
Policy transparency as a key factor for acceptance
Jurors has to be payed adequate
High activation is achieved
Scoring method lead to the desired results
Competitions are more time intensive
Bruessel,

16. Recommendations of the evaluation
Quantity of the competitions has to be reduces for the second round
Integration of the horizontal themes (Tourism, Foundation, family, etc.) into the cluster-competitions
Consolidation of competition which address the same branch
Bruessel,

17. Thank You For Your Attention
Bruessel,