EU activities for fostering innovation and promoting cluster development C. Schierenbeck Innovation Policy Development Unit European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry European Commission Enterprise and Industry DG BaltMet Inno Final Conference Tallinn, 7th Nov. 2007

Competitiveness and Innovation (CIP) Framework Programme Three operational programmes Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE)

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme EIP Objectives Access to finance for SMEs Favourable environment to SME cooperation, particularly cross-border Eco-innovation Support for initiatives to foster entrepreneurship and innovation Support for policy-making

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme The EIP brings together: Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (MAP) LIFE-Environment Programme Innovation activities previously implemented under the research framework programme (FP6)

Current innovation activities under PRO INNO Europe PRO INNO Europe:

Current innovation activities under PRO INNO Europe: INNO-Nets Example: BSR InnoNet (Baltic Sea Region Innovation Network) Links between innovation policy- makers, implementing agencies and analysts in the Baltic Sea Region Joint conceptual work for cluster policy formation Joint innovation programmes for cluster development (Policy Development > INNO-Nets > BSR InnoNet)

Current innovation activities under PRO INNO Europe: INNO-Nets Example: BSR InnoNet (Baltic Sea Region Innovation Network): Mapping of national cluster policies and programmes in the Baltic Sea Region Analysis of cluster dynamics Evaluating cluster policy and benchmarking framework conditions (Policy Development > INNO-Nets > BSR InnoNet)

Current innovation activities under Europe INNOVA: Focus on sectoral networks Innovation Panels Innovation Watch Cluster Mapping Cluster Networks Financing Networks Standards Networks Innovation Management – IMP³rove KIS Innovation Platform

Current activities: Cluster Mapping Innovation Clusters in the 10 New Member States of the European Union (2006), Europe INNOVA paper N° 1 (Cluster Mapping > Cluster Mapping Studies > Cluster Mapping EU10 > Results) European Cluster Observatory

Offers a place for mapping and statistical analysis of clusters in Europe (38 sectors for 259 mainly NUTS-2 regions); Aims to become the European repository of cluster initiatives and organisations, policies and case studies; Is open to integrate other relevant results available in MS and EU regions. European Cluster Observatory: Objectives and ambitions

European Cluster Observatory: Cluster mapping and statistics - the WHY Cluster mapping is important for: policy makers at all levels company managers since it can:  reveal EU industry structural patterns and their evolution;  identify strengths and weaknesses at national and regional level;  benchmark performances using the same methodology.

European Cluster Observatory: The applied methodology (3 star system) 1 star rating for a regional cluster: (using only employment data at NUTS-2 level)  It is in the top-10 percentile of employment in a given sector. ( Size);  It has (at least) twice more employment within a given sector than the average of all regions would suggest given their size ( Specialisation) ;  It reaches the top 10-percentile of all regional clusters which account for a larger share of a region’s overall employment ( Focus).

European Cluster Observatory: Statistical results Top 30 European Regions 1338 clusters (67%) 524 clusters (25%) 155 clusters (8%)

European clusters per sector

Example: Automotive clusters in Europe Number of clusters:

Further cluster activities under PRO INNO Europe and Europe INNOVA ENTR report on ‘Innovation clusters in Europe’, Forthcoming Communication on Clusters European Cluster Memorandum, sent to national, regional governments and innovation agencies for signature: political commitment for promoting European Innovation through Clusters Presidential European Cluster Conference, Stockholm, January 2008, expected high-profile political endorsement to the Memorandum

Further cluster activities : European Cluster Alliance (I) European Cluster Alliance Open platform for cluster policy-makers for exchanging information, discussing common issues and developing practical tools and joint actions Formed by 4 INNO-Nets (BSR InnoNet, CEE-ClusterNetwork, CLUNET, INNET) involving policy authorities and innovation agencies from 20 Member States and involve 50+ partners Partnership agreements in preparation (Policy Development > European Cluster Alliance)

Further cluster activities : European Cluster Alliance (II) European Cluster Alliance working areas Measuring the economic impact of cluster policies Identifying financial resources to support cluster policies Improving the cluster infrastructure through policy actions Identifying the main objectives and activities of cluster programmes (Policy Development > European Cluster Alliance)

Future activities under CIP: PRO INNO Europe and Europe INNOVA Shift from sectoral networks to thematic platforms More integrated approach Cluster strand continues Communication websites continue Clear objectives Example: see submission set and Call for Proposals for the European Innovation Platform for Knowledge Intensive Services

Innovation Panels From sectoral networks to thematic platforms Innovation Watch European Cluster Observatory Services Lead Markets Eco-Innovation Cluster Cooperation Horizontal support actions Europe INNOVA Communications

European Business Support Networks (IRC & EIC) Services Lead markets Eco- innovation Cluster cooperation INNO- Nets The new innovation support pyramid ? Innovation culture ? Public procure- ment Public authorities, policy-makers Intermediaries, practitioners, PPPs

Other EU activities FP7 for research. Specific programmes on Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities European Technology Platforms ERDF / Interreg IV (DG Regional Policy) Lead Market Initiative (LMI) expected to be adopted in December 2007 (DG ENTR)

Thank you for your attention! C. Schierenbeck Innovation Policy Development Unit European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry