1. Process and experiences creating user-driven innovation programmes in the Netherlands
Merlijn van Rijswijk, Marcel Kleijn et al
Ministry of Economic Affairs, The Netherlands

2. Outline Outline of the presentation
Innovation programmes in the Netherlands
Outline
Outline of the presentation
Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Process
Experiences and lessons learned
Discussion
Conclusions

3. Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Goals of innovation programmes
Enabling our businesses to achieve global excellence
Integral approach, tackling all issues relevant to innovation in the market
Business in the lead throughout whole process
In a limited number of key business areas, with strong track record or strong potential
Government budget to be at least € 200 mln per year, matched at least equally from other parties

4. Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Innovation Policy in the Netherlands
Ministry revised innovation policy in 2005
From governments perspective, new policy offers:
flexible and customised approach
less instruments with more coherence
less, more accessible helpdesks
fewer acquisition costs and administrative burden
From an industrial perspective, companies jointly discuss ambitions and bottlenecks in innovation process and find common areas for co-innovation and co-investment

5. Context of user-driven innovation programmes
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Context of user-driven innovation programmes
The new set of instruments

6. Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
The Process

7. The Process Orientation phase Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Mix of dialogue and analyses
Bottom-up: companies and knowledge institutes organise themselves and jointly identify promising areas
Important aspects are:
international position
status and trend of economic value
future perspectives and trends
At the end of this phase go/no go on starting dedicated government team

8. The Process Agenda setting Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Industry establishes a joint vision of future opportunities and threats ...
... and develops joint focus and ambition
Ambition should be translated into a strategic (innovation) agenda
This process is difficult and time consuming
The role of the ministry is limited but important
Important question: are there bottlenecks in which there is a potential role for government?
External Strategic Advisory Commission advices on continuation by developing
an innovation programme

9. The Process Action planning Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Development of innovation programme is done by industry, but with stronger support from government
Development consists of
planning the right actions
determine optimal governance structure
determine programme logic (or intervention logic)
developing monitoring & evaluation plan
determine required resources
Strategic Advisory Committee advises
on OK for start innovation programme

10. Experiences and Lessons learned
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Experiences and Lessons learned
A quick start...but a long process
current status of programmes
Three innovation programmes started, in the areas of Nano-electronics & embedded systems, Food & Nutrition and Water technology
more innovation programmes are being developed, in the areas Maritime, Automotive, Chemical Industries, Life Sciences & Health

11. Experiences and Lessons learned
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Experiences and Lessons learned
Lessons learned by industry
A cultural change is required
It is difficult and requires trust to share information on future developments and to build joint programmes
Difficult to think and act broader than R&D-projects
Time-consuming

12. Experiences and Lessons learned
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Experiences and Lessons learned
Lessons learned by government
Implementation power is necessary
Involve SME’s through dedicated workshops
Critical reflection is necessary

13. Discussion Some unresolved issues
Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Discussion
Some unresolved issues
Ensuring sufficient renewal of networks
Role of industry versus government
Measuring the impact

14. Outlook Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
Successful approach for public-private partnerships
Coupling of planning and implementation is crucial
Methodology applicable to other fields: for example in tackling societal or environmental issues

15. Main conclusions Innovation Programmes in the Netherlands
The Netherlands have created an approach for developing user-driven innovation programmes, where industrial foresight processes are integrated with actual (policy) implementation
Experiences so far are positive
Methodology applicable to other fields
Thank you for attention!