1. New Trends in the Innovation Policy in the European Union
Enterprise Directorate General
European Commission
New Trends in the Innovation Policy in the European Union
22 October 2004, Sofia
Renate Weissenhorn, Head of Unit
DG ENTERPRISE
Unit B 5 Innovation Networks

2. A New Strategic Goal for the Next Decade
The European Councils of
LISBON in March 2000 and BARCELONA in March 2002
set the goal for the EU :
“to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion."

3. The specific importance of the regional level
Regional Dimension I.
The specific importance of the regional level
for boosting innovation processes and
for translating research results into economic values

4. The Importance of the Regional Level – Reasons
Innovation performance dependent on decisions of individual economic actors
Innovation-friendly framework to be created by policy-makers
For SMEs innovation is about co-operation and interaction with other firms and R&D intermediaries
Access to knowledge for improved products and processes
Co-operation networks as ideal entry points to knowledge
Effective networking through formal / informal contacts
Policy actions close to companies and their environment
► Region as an environment conducive to innovation

5. “Hard” and “Soft” Regional Policies
“Hardware”
Development of the regional infrastructure
“Software” – new priorities
Strategic thinking
Better development of the human factor
Create conditions linked to competitiveness of the whole region

6. Regions as Most Favourable Environments for Enterprises
Regional support services system targeted to entrepreneurial needs
Adequate information services to enable the exploitation of knowledge
Networks and co-ordination instruments to allow entrepreneurs’ co-operation
Well developed education and vocational training system
R&D facilities oriented towards the economic activities of the regional enterprises

7. How are such regional innovation policies designed and implemented?
Regional Dimension
II.
How are such regional innovation policies designed and implemented?

8. Innovation Governance – the RIS methodology
Good governance on the regional level
RIS methodology based on …
consensus-building (feeling of ownership)
bottom-up approach
participatory process
building partnerships incl. public-private ones

9. RIS Success Story - Lower Austria
Since 1997 RIS project
Vision : To become one of the Top 10 innovation regions in Europe
Policy among others
project implementation monitoring through external services
evaluation of regional support efficiency

10. Results of the Project in Lower Austria
Good impact on the labour market
New markets for firms: domestically, in Europe and outside Europe
Increased market share of firms domestically, in and outside Europe
Benefiting organisations achieved better qualification of staff involved

11. Recommendations for Bulgaria
Decentralisation helps Bulgaria to prosper
Decentralisation complementary to central government actions
Decentralisation to reinforce central government actions
Financial resources for the regions
South Central Region: Implementation of RIS action plan for innovation needs the government’s financial support

12. Conclusions Regions : Responsible for core activities
Promotion and stimulation of innovation
Building of sustainable, intelligent, efficient and result-oriented policies
National governments : support of regions
Financial resources
Adequate decision-making competences
European Commission : support of regions
Co-funding
Methodologies (RIS)
Access to trans-national expertise, promotion of exchange of experience and learning processes