Regional Innovation Policy

1
Regional Innovation Policy Support action to RIS
processes FP6-2004-INNOV-4, Strand 3 Kick-off
meeting, Brussels, 11 October 2005
Marshall Hsia Directorate-General for Enterprise
and Industry European Commission
2
Strand 3 objectives

• This support project is expected to enhance the
  implementation of the RIS-NAC action plans and to
  help the regions to convert them into sustainable
  regional policies.
• It will create a mechanism which gives the
  regions smooth access to good practice in the
  field of innovation policies, support schemes and
  strategies.
• It will allow the mobilisation of the best
  European expertise for the design of selected
  innovation support measures in the RIS-NAC
  regions.

3
Background to Strand 3 (support to RIS processes)

• Strand 3 of the FP6-2004-INNOV-4 call for
  proposals
• Call for proposals closed June 2004
• 13 eligible proposals submitted to Strand 3
• 4 proposals retained for Strand 3 after the
  evaluation process
• Contracts started on June 1st 2005

4
Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) Network
5
RIS projects in Eastern Europe

• 16 RIS-NACs in 8 new MS and 2 Associated
  Countries
• Create innovation policies at regional level
• Develop innovation systems using a mentoring
  approach
• Strengthen co-operation across Europe
• Enhance innovation and business learning
  processes
• Prepare regions better to absorb EU funding more
  efficiently
• Foster regional and economic cohesion

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16 RIS-NAC project regions 2001-2003
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RIS/RITTS Mechanism

• RIS mechanism has generated the following types
  of actions
• - actions promoting business partnerships and
  clusters
• - building new interfaces and improving
  co-ordination between businesses and the
  knowledge base
• - new financial instruments
• - actions for forecasting SME technology needs
• - innovation projects in firms
• - actions for technology audits in SMEs
• - training schemes for businessmen
• - university spin-offs, technology-based
  start-ups, etc

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Strand 3 geographical and technical scope

• A) Projects focusing on non-financial RIS
  elements
• INTRO project
• 2 regions LV, PL (West Pomerania)
• 5SCHEMES project
• 5 regions BG, PL (Warmia, Wielkopolska), SI,
  CY
• IMIS project
• 9 regions CZ, EE, HU(3), PL (Opole, Silesia),
  RO, SK
• B) Project focusing on financial RIS elements
• INNOVATION COACH project
• All 16 regions
• coordination for all strand 3 projects

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Standard elements strand 3 projects

• All assistance will be subject to a proposal and
  agreement by the region concerned
• Contractors will focus primarily on non-financing
  aspects (IMIS, 5SCHEMES, INTRO) or financing
  aspects (INNOVATION COACH) related to the
  implementation of RIS concerned
• Contractors will communicate the specific
  measures agreed with the region concerned to the
  strand coordinator (Innovation Coach)
• The database containing expert details will be
  made available to the Commission and IRE
  Secretariat
• Each project should evaluate the contribution and
  impact made on the region concerned. This should
  be quantified where possible. An assessment (eg
  questionnaire) by the region of the assistance
  provided should be included.