European Commission Enterprise Directorate General Thessaloniki 16 17

European Commission Enterprise Directorate General Thessaloniki, 16 -17 May 2002 Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) : regional tools for promoting innovation and transnational technology transfer Yannis TSILIBARIS Head of Sector Networks and Technology Transfer Enterprise Directorate-General, Innovation Directorate

IREs and IRCs : regional tools for innovation and technology transfer Two European tools, run by Enterprise DG / Innovation Programme, with : – strong presence in the regions – formulation of appropriate innovation strategies – innovation & transnational technology transfer services provision – exchange of experiences & best practices – European networking 1/20/2022 2

Innovating Regions in Europe (IREs) : What is the network about ? More than 100 regions and a considerable number of regional actors working together in a full-grown network, in order to : – exchange ideas, experiences & good practices, – develop transnational co-operation projects and – offer a pool of expertise for guidance of policy makers in the innovation domain 1/20/2022 3

IREs : Instruments The instruments which helped to establish, consolidate and expand the IRE network are : • The RITTS / RIS projects (DG ENTR/DG REGIO) • The IRE Thematic networks • The IRE Central Assistance Unit, and • The IRE bi-annual conference 1/20/2022 4

IREs / RITTS / RIS (scheme) 24 - 36 months projects supporting the regions : – to develop a regional innovation strategy – to integrate innovation & TT in their economic development – to stimulate innovation among SMEs, and – to develop an innovation culture & an innovation community – extended recently to NAC countries (16 new projects) 1/20/2022 5

IREs / RITTS / RIS project • Phase 1 Mobilization of actors through appropriate awareness campaigns, consensus building • Phase 2 Analysis of needs within the region (field work amongst the actors concerned) • Phase 3 Findings and recommendations leading to the establishment of a regional innovation action plan 1/20/2022 6

IREs / RITTS / RIS principles The work under the RITTS/RIS scheme must follow certain principles : • a bottom-up approach • a broad mobilization of regional actors • building a consensus at regional level • a need for strategic thinking 1/20/2022 7

IREs / RITTS / RIS achievements • Starting point to develop, for the first time ever, an innovation policy at regional level • Helped to widen the concept of innovation & strengthen its position within the regional policy agenda • Have focussed regional public authorities in better addressing the needs of the business community, but most of all : • Created a mobilization around common target / consensus building / regional dialogue 1/20/2022 8

IREs/Thematic networks • interregional fora dealing with topics of common interest • bringing together policy makers, facing common problems and innovation challenges • diffusing good practices in the development and implementation of regional innovation strategies 1/20/2022 9

IREs/Central Assistance Unit A central secretariat for the IRE network • organising seminars and workshops • offering the meeting point for the regions to share experience and draw lessons • running the IRE website • publishing regular newsletters with networking opportunities and IRE achievements 1/20/2022 10

IREs/bi-annual conference • Two years ago, a very successful meeting in Escorial, Madrid • This year, in Stratford-Upon-Avon 17 -18 June 2002 1/20/2022 11

The IRC Network European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation Objectives, missions, achievements 1/20/2022 12

Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) • Selected through an open call for proposals for a 4 -year period (2000 - 2004) • 68 IRCs operating in well defined geographical areas in 31 countries • IRCs are hosted by: Technology Institutes, Regional Development Agencies, Innovation Agencies, Technology transfer centers, Chambers of Commerce, etc. 1/20/2022 13

IRC Network : A springboard for technology co-operation Objective Enhance the competitiveness of businesses in Europe through: • Supporting transnational technology transfer according to the specific needs of local industries • Promoting technology co-operation between European enterprises, and • Facilitating the access of SMEs to RTD results 1/20/2022 14

IRC Network : where do IRCs operate ? IRCs Identify local technology offers and demands 1/20/2022 FACILITATE TRANSNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS Assist in concluding TT agreements 15

IRCs : main activities at a glace Inward technology transfer services • Identification of local needs • Search for technology suppliers in the network • Assistance in the negotiation and implementation phases Outward technology transfer services • Identification of new technologies from local suppliers • Technology promotion in the network • Assistance in the negotiation and implementation phases 1/20/2022 16

IRC support services 1/20/2022 17

IRC instruments to achieve TTT • IRC Intranet website, with information on the network activities: technology offers/requests database, calendar of events, success stories, news, thematic groups • Thematic groups for IRCs focusing on industrial sectors: agrofood, automotive, environmental technology, electronic, biotechnology, materials… • Organisation of common events: brokerage events, investment fora, etc • Organisation of visits between SMEs • IRC staff exchanges • Exchange of good practices and training 1/20/2022 18

Types of reported partnerships • 55% Technical cooperation • 23% Commercial with Technical assistance • 13% Licensing • 6% Manufacturing • 3% Joint venture 1/20/2022 19

Achievements Key figures first year of current phase Ø Clients base: ~ 85. 000 Ø Clients assisted: ~ 15. 000 Ø Company visits: ~ 5. 500 Ø Negotiations started: ~ 4. 000 ØReported TTT agreements: 135 1/20/2022 20

For more information. . . • Have a look at our IRE public website : http: //www. innovating-regions. org • Have a look at our IRC public website : http: //www. cordis. lu/irc/home. html 1/20/2022 21