Regional and national partnership Lars Christensen Region Värmland Cape Town Oct 29, 2008

Sustainable growth in Värmland PRODUCTIVITY INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS ”SUSTAINABLE GROWTH” REGIONAL ASSETS MINDSET OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE REGION SYSTEMIC COLLABORATION WITHIN THE TRIPLE HELIX FOCUS INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP INNOVATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

VÄRMLAND’S Innovative Cluster Policy

THE CLUSTER OF PULP AND PAPER TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCE AREA KARLSTAD The Cluster of Steel and Engineering

Värmland’s innovative cluster policy  Innovation and renewal. Focus on triple helix based innovative cluster development within existing industries.  Long-term. It has been in effect since  Policy. A system-orientated innovation policy framework for renewal, competitiveness and long-term economic growth  A tool to create innovative clustering and networking processes for renewal and economic growth on a regional level

4. Innovative networks of clusters - National or trans-national scope - Supporting R&D, innovation and structural change to identify new specialisations and young, emerging industries within existing sectors - Triple helix collaboration, systemic strategy - Innovation policy (research, industry and regional policy) 2. Sectorial clusters - Local scope (administrative borders) - Supporting existing value-chains - Business networks/Cluster initiatives - Regional development and/or industry policy 1. Sectorial, non-cluster approach - National scope - Supporting existing value-chains - Sector driven activities (often through industry associations) - Industry policy 3. Innovative intersectorial clusters - A new, functional geography (focus on economic flows). International outlook. - Supporting R&D, innovation and structural change (new specialisations) within existing sectors (intersectorial) - Triple helix collaboration, systemic strategy - Innovation policy (research and industry policy) CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT “WORK-IN-PROGRESS”

Source: European Cluster Observatory 2007 Focus Top EU Clusters 2008 in High Innovation Regions Specialisation Size THE CLUSTER OF PULP AND PAPER TECHNOLOGY

VINNVÄXT

No cluster in Värmland qualified for the VINNVÄXT-program, but all three learned how to – and they did it anyway…

Lessons learned from the VINNVÄXT-experience The importance of a long term approach Constantly mobilise the “system” (all of triple helix) Build on knowledge, but make sure to act – on and on! A strong regional leadership promoting renewal, build trust, legitimatize the on-going processes and hold on to the priorities. The ability to form a shared vision (strategic concept) within a specific area of growth A functional definition of the region The development of robust research and innovation environments Strong commitment on the part of the companies Building local knowledge around cluster development and facilitation Measure and evaluate

We dare to measure…

Värmland’s innovative cluster policy – 2007 Survey of 250 firms within our triple helix based Cluster Initiatives 3100 new jobs were created that contributed with €45 million in increased regional tax revenue 8% of these new jobs were directly related to the collaboration within a Cluster Initiative – that is, 240 new jobs, and €3 million in increased regional tax revenue FDI’s worth more than €500 million 14% of the total employment, but 60% of the growth measured by the number of new jobs ( )

Next step… Learn from and with others

 Innovative cluster development and facilitation  Cluster evaluation  Policy development (regional, national and international) Clusters Academia Public sector

We have measured and compared…

EVALUATION CONCRETE GROWTH EFFECTS OF BEING A PART OF TRIPLE HELIX BASED CLUSTER INITIATIVE

30%

16%

12%

EVALUATION EFFECTS OF THE FIRMS LONG TERM COMPETITIVENESS BEING PART OF A TRIPLE HELIX BASED CLUSTER INITIATIVE

40%

50%

EVALUATION EFFECTS ON THE COLLABORATION WITH R&I INSTITUTIONS BEING PART OF A TRIPLE HELIX BASED INITIATIVE

25%

We are not alone… Clusters Academia Public sector

Sweden Clusters Academia Public sector

Clusters Academia Public sector Sweden Demand driven and praxis orientated (”useful”) knowledge development within an innovation and competitiveness framework In building hands-on and state-of-the-art knowledge we all need to build on local, national and international experiences!