THE ROLE OF INNOVATION IN THE SOCIOECONOMIC POLICY OF THE PROVINCE OF FRYSLAN: FROM PAST TO PRESENT

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THE ROLE OF INNOVATION IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC
POLICY OF THE PROVINCE OF FRYSLAN FROM PAST TO
PRESENT

• Martijn Ledegang
• Policy Officer Innovation
• Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
• Province of Fryslân
• The Netherlands

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Headlines of the socio-economic policy of the
Province of Fryslân between 1994-2006Results of
this policy and actual state of the economy/
innovation in the Province of FryslânFrom a
favourable socio-economic policy to a policy
aiming at transition to a knowledge economyA
changing role for the Province of Fryslân in
socio-economic and innovation policy in the
coming years
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Since 1992 SNN (Samenwerkingsverband
Noord-Nederland) Cooperation in socio-economic
policy of the provinces of Fryslân, Groningen and
Drenthe
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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1994-2006 North of the Netherlands
Disadvantaged areaA generic, favourable
socio-economic policy, focussing on the
improvement of the establishment climate
Innovation only a small part of the total
package of measures
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Results of this policy in the Province of Fryslân
(related to the national average)
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Remaining socio-economic disadvantages and
bottlenecks in Fryslân (1)Under national
average- Degree of participation- Qualification
s/skills-level of the labour force - GRP (Gross
Regional Product) (per capita)- Income after
tax/disposable income - Expenditures on
RD- Exports- StartersAbove national
average- Unemployment
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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- Overrepresentation of traditional sectors
(agriculture, industry) and underrepresentation
of important growth sectors like commercial
services and trade - A thin economic
structure (fragmentation of economic
activities, lack of concentration/
clustering)- Braindrain
Remaining socio-economic disadvantages and
bottlenecks in Fryslân (2)
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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The new socio-economic policy of the North of the
Netherlands for the period 2006-2013From a
favourable socio-economic policy to a policy
aiming at transition to a knowledge economy
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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General characteristics of the new
policy-approach of the North of the Netherlands
- Accent on competition on added value and no
longer on competition on production costs
- An increase in productivity - Focus on
innovation (covering product-, process- and
market-innovation), knowledge development and
knowledge transfer- Development of new
economic activities and new product- market
combinations- More attention to matching of
knowledge demand and knowledge supply
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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The new socio-economic policy of the North of the
Netherlands for the period 2006-2013A
SPECIFIC/THEMATIC APPROACHA GENERIC/FAVOURABLE
APPROACH
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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The specific/thematic approach10
spearheads/thematic programmes1. Recreation
and Tourism2. ICT3. Chemical industry4. Life
sciences/Nanotechnology5. Watertechnology6. Heal
thcare7. Sensortechnology8. Energy (sustainable
energy)9. Agribusiness10. Metal/Shipbuilding
industry
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Selection of the spearheads/thematic programmes
based on the following criteria - They
represent, directly or indirectly, specific
regional qualities/strengths, unique selling
points in which the North of the Netherlands
could be distinctive of other regions - They
offer promising opportunities and potential for
innovative projects and economic spin-off in
terms of turnover, employment and new economic
activities- Presence of networks, a knowledge
base, companies and/or running projects and
initiatives, that offer a solid starting point
for further development
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Areas for special attention within the
different spearheads/ thematic programmes (1)
- Knowledge development (for example
development of specialist training and
qualifications, attraction of relevant
knowledge from outside the region for example
by means of acquisition of companies)- Knowle
dge transfer between SMEs, knowledge
institutions and intermediary organisations and
better matching of knowledge supply and
knowledge demand (for example by means of
co-operation in networks, clusterprojects or
creation of knowledge centres/institutes)
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Areas for special attention within the
different spearheads/ thematic programmes (2)
- Participation in international networks,
clusters and programmes- Entrepreneurship
(incubator-facilities, spin-offs from knowledge
institutions, and technostarters)- Development
of research facilities
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Water
South Africa
Projects
China
Projects
Projects
Eastern Europe
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia
Frisian Water Alliance
Wetsus
Projects
Technology development
Vitens Water Technology Centre
Projects
Expert centresmall scale sanitation
Projects
Projects
Water City International
Projects
Nolimp
Projects
Urban Water Cycle
Projects
Mopark
Projects
Demos
Fryslân Fernyt
Projects
Frisian Water Alliance
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WATER MANAGEMENT
FRISIAN WATER BOARD

• Government agency for water management
• One of the best water boards in Europe
• Flood prevention,
• Water quantity management,
• Water quality management

Frisian Water Alliance
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DRINKING WATER
VITENS

• Largest water supplier in the Netherlands
• Winning of drinking water (ground water, surface
  water)
• Distribution
• Most advanced water lab in Europe
• Expertise centre water technology

Frisian Water Alliance
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Companies
Contribution in FWA
Participants in FWA-projects a.o. Landustrie, van
der Wiel, DMT, Vitens, Paques, Shell, Unilever,
Nuon, Norit, Aquario, TAUW, Afmitech, Bright
Spark, Hovap, van Gelder

• Supply of wide range of technologies
• Sound commercial drive
• Tailor made solutions

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Universities, colleges and expert centres
Contribution in FWA
Participants in FWA-projects a.o. Universities
Twente,Wageningen, Delft, Wetsus, Van Hall
Institute, CHN, NHL, Cartesius Institute.

• Technology development and research
• Education and training
• Capacity building
• Monitoring and effect studies

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Authorities
Contribution in FWA
Participants in FWA-projects Province of Fryslân,
Municipalities Leeuwarden, Sneek,
Smallingerland, Boarnsterhim and
Tytjerksteradiel, Water Board Fryslân, NOM,
Dutch Government, European Union

• Policy development and implementation
• Water, environment, economy
• Public participation
• Reliability and long lasting co-operation
• Funding

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Water
South Africa
Projects
China
Projects
Projects
Eastern Europe
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia
Frisian Water Alliance
Wetsus
Projects
Technology development
Vitens Water Technology Centre
Projects
Expert centresmall scale sanitation
Projects
Projects
Water City International
Projects
Nolimp
Projects
Urban Water Cycle
Projects
Mopark
Projects
Demos
Fryslân Fernyt
Projects
Frisian Water Alliance
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CENTRE OF EXCELLENCETechnology development
Goal to become the European centre of
excellence for sustainable water technology

• Partners
• Universities
• Twente,Wageningen, Delft
• Private companies

Ca 20, a.o Shell, Unilever, Nuon, Norit, Paques,
Vitens, Heineken and Landustrie

• Financial contributions
• European Union
• Economic development fund Kompas
• Local and regional authorities

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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Water
South Africa
Projects
China
Projects
Projects
Eastern Europe
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia
Frisian Water Alliance
Wetsus
Projects
Technology development
Vitens Water Technology Centre
Projects
Expert centresmall scale sanitation
Projects
Projects
Water City International
Projects
Nolimp
Projects
Urban Water Cycle
Projects
Mopark
Projects
Demos
Fryslân Fernyt
Projects
Frisian Water Alliance
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Frisian Water Alliance

• Results
• Over 30 PPP projects
• Turnover 76 mln (Fryslân 45 mln)

Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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International projects
Running projects Projects in preparation
Frisian Water Alliance
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The generic/favourable approach focus on
the following action-lines Instruments to
stimulate innovation in SMEs outside the
defined thematic programmes Investments
in the establishment climate (ICT-infrastructure,
upgrading of business parks, accessibility/infras
tructure) Projects/initiatives within the
framework of the regional labour
market-/education-policy
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism
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A changing role for the Province of
Fryslân in socio-economic and innovation policy
in the coming years- Continuation of the
traditional favourable role of the province,
but change of accent in financial incentives
(venture capital funds or revolving funds)
- Role as a broker, matching knowledge supply
and knowledge demand within the different
thematic programmes- Launching customer
for new developed products, services and
applications
Department of Economics, Recreation and Tourism