An Introduction European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology May 2012

Key Facts ERNACT Legal Status Focus Set Up Network Partners Business Model Current Status European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) Region & City Information and Communications Technology (ICT) - broadband, wireless, e-public services 1991 Regions & Cities in Europe Deliver practical trans-European Digital Agenda projects for European Regions 6 Live ICT trans-European Projects

The ERNACT network is implementing Digital Agenda projects with 44 European Regions and Cities

ERNACT regions harness EU Programmes in a coherent manner to achieve Digital Agenda goals

ERNACT is currently implementing the following Digital Agenda projects: Focus Next Generation Broadband for Rural Areas. Deploying e-services in the Atlantic Area Developing Mobile Apps for Tourism in Europe’s Northern periphery Impact of Digital Media on public service delivery in regions Helping Media sector go Digital Developing Plans for e-assisted energy efficiency transport in Europe’s regions Budget 1.5m € 2.0m € 1.5m € 2.4m € 1.8m € 1.4m € EU Prog 4C 4B 4C

Project Metrics Participation in 26 approved transnational projects: 79 % success rate € 2 Million average 15 as a Lead partner 8 as a partner 3 as a consultant/facilitator

Event 18 Sep  Focus on Regions  Present 1.Smart Specialisation Priorities of ERNACT regions 2.Approach to Regional Digital Agenda suggested 3.Territorial Cooperation needs for Digital Agenda Support sketched  Approach – one region presents their situation and expert/EU makes response  Key Areas – Atlantic & EU Borders

Smart Specialisation Strategies and Cohesion Policy  Focus policy support and investments on key regional priorities, challenges and needs for knowledge-based development.  Build on each region’s strengths, competitive advantages and potential for excellence.  Support technological as well as practice-based innovation and aim to stimulate private sector investment.  Stakeholders fully involved and encourage innovation and experimentation.  Sound monitoring and evaluation systems.

Smart Specialisation  Focus on Key Strengths of each region  Respond to economic & societal challenges  Visibility with International Investors  Improve region’s internal & external connections  Accumulate a critical mass of resources  Promote knowledge spillovers and technological diversification

EU Level Regional Level 1 Single Digital Market 5 Faster Broadband 2 Interoperate 3 Trust & Security 4 Digital Literacy 6 Innovation & Research 7 Societal Challenges Smart Specialisation Digital Agenda

Centre of Forest Bio Economy Biobased Products Wood-based Material Technology Forest Bioenergy Transfer of Technology and Knowledge Capitalization and Business New Business Opportunities Capitalization of Research Results Spin-off Enterprises EXPERTICE & KNOWLEDGE FOCUSTARGET Forest Energy & Wood Energy Districted biorefining and material technology Forest technology, supply chain and logistics Forest data invention & mapping, remote sensing Research and Development Regional Smart Specialisation Faster Broadband Innovation & Research Digital Literacy Societal Challenges

West Romania xxxx Vaster’land xxx San Seb’n xxxxx Olomouc xxx Galway xxx Donegal xxxx Derry xxx Cantabria xxxxx Silver Economy Smart Specialisation Priorities Embed Digital & ICT Territorial Cooperation

Future Plans - What  Develop detailed future territorial cooperation plans  Based on the digital agenda needs of  Our regions smart specialisation priorities Involving other regions & groups of regions  Particularly Countries on EU borders

Future Plans - How  Extensive & Proactive Use of Digital Media systems  Digital Agenda collaboration website for regions Focus on external collaboration Smart specialisation sectors Digital agenda  Collaboration Tools New project development Video-conferencing E-training & Knowledge Transfer

Looking to East Borders

Looking to Atlantic  5 ERNACT regions on Atlantic  Atlantic Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean  ERNACT developed a framework for capturing the Digital Agenda possibilities  Baltic & Danube Areas Atlantic Strategy

Colm Mc Colgan, General Manager ERNACT Network Unit 150, CoLab LYIT, Port Road Letterkenny Co. Donegal Ireland mobile: tel: web: Contact Information