1. Hanze University of Applied Sciences
TraCS3 Fostering Interregional Collaboration and Support for Innovation Infrastructure in S3 key priority areas through the Improvement of Regional Innovation Eco-systems
Willem Foorthuis
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
19 April 2018, Groningen

2. TraCS3 project Programme priority area 1 “Research and Innovation”
Interreg Europe programme 3rd call
Programme priority area 1 “Research and Innovation”
Specific objective “Research and Innovation Infrastructure”
Prepared by Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Lead Partner)
Involving seven European countries/regions
Addressing challenges how to improve the support for innovation infrastructure, its better employment and involvement into global innovation values chains

3. TraCS3 overall objective
to improve regional policies in support of innovation infrastructure in S3 key priority sectors with strong innovation potential addressing the societal challenges and enhancing interregional cooperation within and between emerging and expanding innovation eco-systems
Project duration: 5 years in two phases
Project budget: more than 1,7 M Euro

4. TraCS3 sub-objectives
To develop a shared vision on how to create favourable environment for supporting integration of innovation infrastructure into interregional value chains and knowledge networks
To strengthen innovation capacities needed to develop research and innovation excellence in key priority S3 sectors with strong innovation potential
To improve interregional cooperation through establishing/improving interregional financial instruments fostering this process
To disseminate knowledge collected through the exchange of experience process to stakeholders across Europe and create synergies with other relevant initiatives and projects

5. TraCS3 partners: Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NL
Province of West-Flanders, BE
Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology MITA, LT
University of Bremen, DE
North-East Regional Development Agency, RO
The Baltic Institute of Finland
Business Innovation Center of Albacete, ES
Hanze WF
NE RDA
BIC
BIF
iaw
MITA

6. TraCS3 project approach
Phase 1 duration 3 years (6 semesters)
dedicated to the exchange of experience among project partners
Action Plans must be prepared for each project partner region/country
51 project event of Exchange of experience
14 good practices identified
95 participants with increased capacities
7 policy instruments improved
Scheduled back-to-back to project meetings every semester
Phase 2 monitoring of Action Plans - duration 2 years (4 semesters)

7. TraCS3 next steps… Participation in Lead partners’ seminar in Sofia
Contract with the Interreg Europe programme
TraCS3 Partnership Agreement
Establishing TraCS3 management and implementation bodies
Kick off meeting in Groningen
TraCS3 implementation continues…..