Innovating Regions in Europe network EU regional innovation

Innovating Regions in Europe network EU regional innovation policies: the experience of the IRE Network Valencia, 12 th December 2002 Jaime Moll de Alba, IRC-IRE Central Unit ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 1

Innovating Regions in Europe: contents Contents • Rationale and objectives • Policy context • Members • Projects • Achievements • New Projects • Future • Central Unit services ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 2

Innovating Regions in Europe: objectives Rationale & objectives of the IRE Network • Key role of local and regional governments widely acknowledged • Set up in 1994 by the European Commission • Exchange of experience • Trans-regional projects • Show-case of good practices • Fostering of innovation ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 3

Innovating Regions in Europe: context Policy context • Lisbon European Council • Communication on Innovation • Communication ’The Regions in the New Economy’ • Communication ’The Regional Dimension of ERA’ • Communication ’Towards 3% of GDP’ ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 4

Innovating Regions in Europe: members ~ 200 regions EEA + NAC ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 5

Innovating Regions in Europe: projects Projects ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 6

Innovating Regions in Europe: projects Development and implementation of regional innovation strategies • RITTS (70) • RIS/RTP (33) • RIS+ (25) • Trans-Regional Innovation Projects (11) ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 7

Innovating Regions in Europe: projects Key characteristics of regional innovation strategies • Demand-led initiative • Consensus-building project • Optimisation of the RTDI infrastructure • Action-oriented exercise • Monitoring process • European dimension ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 8

Innovating Regions in Europe: achievements Achievements of regional innovation strategies • Move towards strategic thinking • Creation of a regional dialogue • Introduction of a broader concept of innovation • Rationalisation of the innovation support infrastructure • Mainstream into the Structural Funds ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 9

Innovating Regions in Europe: projects Reasons behind diverse achievements • Regional capacity • Economic conditions • RTDI conditions • Institutional capacity • Driving force • Previous experience of strategy • Legitimacy and political backing of project driver • Openness and inclusiveness ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 10

Innovating Regions in Europe: open projects On-going projects • RIS-NACs • IRE Thematic Networks • ERDF Innovative Actions ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 11

Innovating Regions in Europe: RIS NACs: objectives 16 projects covering 10 NACs • Development of innovation systems in Accession Countries using a mentoring approach • Strengthen co-operation across Europe • Foster regional and economic cohesion ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 12

Innovating Regions in Europe: TNs IRE Thematic Networks: objectives • Facilitation of exchange of experiences and ideas • Fostering inter-regional collaboration • Development of innovation support measures ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 13

Innovating Regions in Europe: TNs IRE Thematic Networks • • • Development of clusters Exploitation of research Entrepreneurship Creation of new ventures IMTs Innovation in Large Metropolitan Areas Innovation in the agri-food sector Support to RIS NACs Cross-border co-operation ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 14

Innovating Regions in Europe: PRAI ERDF Innovative Actions 2000 - 06 EU support for regional programmes to experiment innovative methods and practices Three strands: • Technological innovation • Information society • Sustainable development ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 15

Innovating Regions in Europe: Network IRE Network • Inter-regional learning • Promotion of good practice • Trans-regional co-operation • Exchange of tools • Foster innovation ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 16

Innovating Regions in Europe: FP 6 Regional innovation under FP 6 Specific Programme ”Structuring the European Research Area”, heading ”Research and Innovation”, six actions • Co-operation among regions • Networking • New tools and approaches • Information and assistance • Economic and technogical intelligence • Analyses and evaluation ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 17

Innovating Regions in Europe: CU services IRC-IRE Central Unit activities • Advice and technical support • Transnationality • Training and guidelines • Promotion • Follow-up of regional innovation strategies ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 18

Innovating Regions in Europe: innovation portal ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 19

Innovating Regions in Europe IRC-IRE Central Unit Tel: +352 441012 2256 Fax: +352 441012 2055 e-mail: j. moll@irc-ire. lu http//www. innovating-regions. org ©Innovation Relay Centres and Innovating Regions in Europe Central Unit (IRC-IRE CU) 20