1 The Prešov Region Competitiveness Innovation

2 Slovak republic Population : cca inhabitants Area: sq. kms Number of self-governing regions: 8 Number of districts: 79 Number of municipalities: (incl. 136 towns)

3 Prešov Region Regional capital: Prešov (cca inhabitants; the 3rd largest city in Slovakia) Population: cca inhabitants Area: km 2 (18.3% of the country size; the 2nd largest region) Number of districts: 13 Number of municipalities: 666 incl. 23 towns (the highest number of municipalities)

4 culture, secondary schooling, health care and social facilities, transport, the 2nd and 3rd class roads, spatial planning, regional development Competences and financial responsibilities for the following areas: The Prešov Self-Governing Region: established in 2002

5 Development capacity of Slovak districts

6 Development gradient

7 Solutions? Reinforcement of roles and responsibilities of the regions More visible territorial integrated approach Allocated financial resources for the selected priorities of the Slovakia-East region Interaction of R&D sphere and industry Co-operation with the Slovak University of Technology Support of trans-national technology transfer Support of innovation activities in companies Support of clusters creation To support effective partnership between regions and central authorities To transfer more competencies (incl. the SF management) to the regions in order to make the program and implementation process more effective and efficient...

8 Development and Implementation of Regional Innovation Strategies in the Prešov Region RIS Prešov RIS Prešov project duration: / Prešov Self-Governing Region (Slovakia) project coordinator: Ing. Julius Takáč phone: fax: Regional Advisory and Information Centre Prešov (Slovakia) BIC Bratislava (Slovakia) Region Abruzzo (Italy) BIC Burgenland (Austria) European Centre for Renewable Energy Güssing (Austria) Partners

9 Development and Implementation of Regional Innovation Strategies in the Prešov Region RIS Prešov Expected outputs of the RIS Prešov The medium and long term Regional innovation strategy proposal of the Prešov Self- Governing Region The identification of regional key players in the field of innovation and regional development The reaching of the regional consensus including the regional innovation policy priorities of the Prešov region The formulation of the strategic action plan for the region Effective planning of EU funds for the period, taking into account the defined priorities within RIS Prešov The creation of a virtual work group of experts of the Prešov region The creation of supporting innovation and finance mechanisms The identification of shortcomings of the innovation infrastructure supply in comparison with the technology oriented companies demands in the region The raising of the awareness concerning the regional innovation development of the Prešov region Know-how transfer of experience in the field of regional development from advanced European regions

10 Development and Implementation of Regional Innovation Strategies in the Prešov Region RIS Prešov Financing the innovation strategy implementation: Interconnection of RIS with Operational programmes of the EU SF for 2007 – 2013 Considering the Innovation strategy of the SR Exploitation of national, regional and local financial means Programme JEREMIE, EIF and EIB Measures proposed for the project implementation phase: Development of material and non-material innovation infrastructure Regional development fund (RDF) establishment Support of renewable energy sources (RES) utilisation

11 Martin Krajňák Prešov Self-Governing Region Námestie mieru Prešov Slovakia tel: fax: