1. REGIONAL DIMENSIONS of INNOVATION The Regions of Knowledge Experience
Dr. Stefan Weiers
Programme Co-ordinator
Regions of Knowledge
European Commission
Directorate General
Research and Innovation
Unit C.5
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2. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Policy context
Need to boost science and technology-based economic development, by better integrating research to their regional innovation strategies
Within the framework of the Lisbon and Europe2020 strategies for a performing knowledge-based economy
Located in the triangle of research, innovation and cohesion policy
Research driven clusters as innovation engines at regional level
Need to think globally and promote the emerging of world class clusters in Europe
Support smart specialisation in view of future R&D and cohesion policies
Join forces to strengthen competitiveness of established and emerging industrie sectors via transnational (-regional) networking
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3. WHAT IS A REGIONAL RESEARCH-DRIVEN CLUSTER?
Regional Authority
Research
Entity
REGIONAL
RESEARCH–DRIVEN CLUSTER
Business Entity
(e.g. SME)
Other Actors
(e.g. TTOs, Consultants)
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4. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE – some facts and figures
Total budget for 2007 to 2013: 126 M€
54 projects ongoing or under negotiation
Annually varying topics for the calls: 2007 (SME , rural economies), 2008 (CO2 reduction, R&D infrastructure), 2009 (natural resources), 2010 (health), 2011 (transport)
Average size of consortium: 12 partners
Average EC contribution per project: 1,5 € (including seed funding for emerging clusters)
Co-ordination action – no traditional R&D projects
Leveraging additional funds to be fixed in business plan
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5. Some Examples for (Potential) Success Stories
REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE
Some Examples for (Potential) Success Stories
PROJECT
CALL
TITLE
TOPIC
COUNTRIES
REDICT
FP7-REGIONS
Regional Economic Development by ICT/New media clusters
ICT / SMEs / new media
NL, DE, FR, DK, IE, RO
CLUSTHERM
FP7-REGIONS
Creating a Central European Thermal Water Research Cluster
Geothermics and rural economies
HU, RO, HR, AT
CLUSTERPLAST
FP7-REGIONS
Inter-cluster initiative to target the future challenges for the European polymer converting industry
Polymer industy
FR, PT, CZ, AT, IT, ES
BIOCLUS
FP7-REGIONS
Developing Innovation and Research Environment in the field of Sustainable Use of Biomass Resources
sustainable use of natural resources
FI, ES, EL, SK, PL
AMI-4EUROPE
FP7-REGIONS
Advanced, Cross-Disciplinary & Integrated Medical Imaging for all Europeans through a Network of Regional Clusters
Health / Advanced Medical Imaging
ES, DE, IT, HU, RO, BA
ELMO’s
(under negotiation)
FP7-REGIONS
Electromobility solutions for cities and regions
electro-mobility
CH, FR, DE, AT, HU, SI
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6. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (1)
Source: Technopolis Group (modified)
The five most potential impacts of the participation to a RoK project according to the survey are:
An improved strategic vision in the cluster area;
The formation of new, long-term relationships with clusters at the EU level;
More knowledge transfer between research organisations and enterprises;
Access to a pool of complementary competencies;
Improvement in the strategy making process.
RoK set the fundaments for future impacts to occur in terms of an enhanced regional economic competitiveness through R&D activities
Potential to support smart specialisation and sectoral innovation strategies in the regions
However: up to now , to a large extent intangible outcome 6
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7. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Key findings of impact assessment Group (2)
Balanced partnerships in terms of ‘triple helix’ and newly established regional linkages
Public bodies are the main partners followed by private partners and universities and research organisations.
Long-lasting effects esp. in terms of inter-regional collaboration but also strengthening of intra-regional links & communication channels between the triple helix
Progressive up scaling of the programme over the years to increase the level of cooperation between regional research-driven clusters
Fundaments for gaining a critical mass & the potential for international competitiveness
A facilitator was the mentoring dimension of the RoK programme
Source: Technopolis Group 7
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8. Source: Technopolis Group
REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Findings of Comparative analysis : Synergies with other Programmes
RoK serves a distinct group of ‘clients’ with respect to other EU transnational cluster initiatives.
No significant overlapping of programmes:
84% of RoK participants are not involved in the: other major EU cluster initiatives in parallel to their project;
RoK highly specific with the ‘Triple Helix’ requisite & the JAP, which leads ‘a step further’ than other interregional initiatives;
More visible, readable and targeted than other programmes studied. The JAP allows for more strategic thinking within a structured framework.
Source: Technopolis Group 8
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9. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (1)
Recommendations for ongoing FP7:
No mandatory mentoring activity
Connect JAPs and study results jointly in view of forthcoming EU policies
Improve inter-project learning
Early involvement of major representative of multi-governance levels
Include clear SMART objectives in DOW
Streamline and simplify EC programme management processes
Source: Technopolis Group 9
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10. REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE : Recommendations of impact assessment (2)
Open Recommendations / options for possible future programmes in the post 2007 – 2013 period:
Single programme supporting the conception, setting up, strengthening of networks of innovation or research-driven clusters, in line with the “Strategy Europe 2020” ?
value chain approach to transnational cluster initiatives, supporting their collaboration on particularly relevant topics / issues for future EU competitiveness, including research activities ?
1st Pillar : Cluster emergence/development at regional/national level funded regionally/nationally (incl. through Structural Funds) whereas good practices to be exchanged at EU level
2nd Pillar: definition of a common strategies for specific sectors based on the involvement of the triple helix in all participating regions leading to a joint action plan
3rd Pillar: implementation of the common research and innovation actions identified in the JAP… if the projects reach the quality criteria
Source: Technopolis Group (modified) - do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the COMMISSION 10
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11. Thank you for your attention !
Download: IA study at
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