role of clusters in smart specialisation

IC-MED Intercluster Copperation Seminar, Sevilla, October 26 2011

Role of Clusters in smart specialisation

The Smart Specialisation (S3) Platform

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Inger Midtkandal

Knowledge for Growth UnitInstitute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS)

Joint Research Centre


Smart Specialisation for Economic Growth

• Smart Specialisation Strategies will foster economic growth, in the region and in the Union

• Smart Specialisation Strategies is about value for money , • Smart Specialisation Strategies is about value for money , about Smart R&D investment in a context of scarce public resources

• The Commission has proposed smart specialisation strategies to be in place as an ex ante condition for the disbursement of R&D and ICT-related funds in the 2014-2020 framework


A Smart Specialisation Strategy is:

� A place based strategy which allows regions to find their own way to innovation by exploiting existing assets and capabilities. No size fits all!

� About making choices – prioritizing (based on history and planning for the future)planning for the future)

� About outward orientation , looking beyond the regional (and national) boarders (for both R&D competence and business partners, and for finding the regional unique niche)

� About a process that brings on board the right partners and that allows an entrepreneurial discovery of the region's future path


The SS33 Platform is a service

� To support regional policy makers, implementing bodies and Commission services

� Established at the JRC – IPTS in Seville • Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the European

Commission’s Joint Research CentreCommission’s Joint Research Centre

� Launched in June 2011• Services becoming progressively available - fully operational by

mid-2012� Overseen by a Steering Team

• With European Commission officials from various DGs (REGIO, ENTR, EMPL, RTD, INFSO, EAC, SANCO, CLIMA, AGRI)

� Stakeholder advice provided through a Mirror Group • Chaired by C. Saublens (EURADA)


Guide to Regional Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3)

Edited by JRC IPTS in association with DG REGIO and with contributions from:

� D. Foray, P. McCann, J. Goddard, K. Morgan, R. Ortega-Argilés

�

The contents of the Guide

� policy rationale

� governance issues� A number of Commission officials

from various DGs

� JRC IPTS staff

First draft of chapters to be discussed with Mirror Group on 27 October

Finalised by the end of 2011

Reviewed in 2012 after feedback from users

� practical steps to design a RIS3

� peer review and monitoring

� policy instruments

� case studies


Seminars and training

Forum for regions to learn from each other

Discussions with peers and experts on • Drafts of strategies• Challenges• Tools for designing a good process

•Training of experts that could assist regions in the RIS3 processes

•Training of regional policymakerswho would be better equipped to • Tools for designing a good process

• How to involve the right partners• Best practice…

More focused seminars on (e.g.):

• Governance• Indicators• Policy instruments

According to needs and requests from regions

who would be better equipped to run a RIS3 process in their own region.

Will be organized throughout 2012


The S3 Platform will develop analytical tools

Science-based approach with constant discussion and collaboration with academics and policy makers

Experience on smart specialisation gained by JRC IPTS in recent years (JRC Scientific and Technical Reports, 2009):

• «The question of R&D specialisation»•• «The question of R&D specialisation»• «Is networking a substitute or a complement to regional innovation

capacity?»

Better understanding of dynamics of industrial structures:http://iri.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reports.htm

Suitable indicators (existing and new) will be selected to support analysis (build on Guide and on-going OECD project)

We will be learning!


Features of the current website(http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/activities/research-and-innovation/s3platform.cfm)

•Presentation of the activities of the S³ Platform

•Useful documents and links to Commission resources and activities

•Presentation of forthcoming events

•Explanation of requirements to register to the S³ Platform

•List of registered regions and highlights on new registrations

•Being progressively upgraded with new features


How to join the Platform?

� Send an e-mail to : [email protected]

� Include in the email the following information.

1. The department / body and persons responsible for the work with the platform.

2. A chart / diagram illustrating the bodies and responsibilities regarding the drafting and coordination of innovation strategies. Include names and contacts

3. Commitment to develop a webpage on smart specialisation. Will be linked to the S3 portal.

4. Commitment to use the Technical Assistance of Structural Fund programmes or other financial resources available to participate to the work of the S³Platform.


Registered regionsAs per Oct 2011, we have 12 registered regions (and more in process):

Andalucía (ES)

Centre (FR)

Oberösterreich (AT)

País Vasco (ES)

Cornwall (UK)

Friesland (NL)

Kent (UK)

Nord - Pas de Calais (FR)

Västra Götaland (SE)

Vest (RO)

Wallonie (BE)

Weser-Ems (DE)


The role of Clusters in S3

� Clusters should be involved in making the S3 � Clusters could bring in outward looking perspectives to the

process

� S3 can ensure a good regional dialogue with clusters� S3 can give clusters a voice in governmental structures

� S3 can ensure knowledge and understanding of clusters within R&D institutions and governmental bodies

� S3 can support clusters� S3 can give better tools to clusters

� A good S3 process will give a better innovative environment also in governmental structures. Clusters will benefit from that!


� Nordland: Cluster in Aquaculture included in regional strategy prioritized in the tools (VRI) for strengthening R&D in the cluster

� Vestfold: Tools for regional R&D (VRI) found water cleansing

Examples from Norway…

� Vestfold: Tools for regional R&D (VRI) found water cleansing companies, cluster was made now included in regional strategy.

� Agder: Regional strategy wanted to attract more tourists Prioritized tourism in their R&D activities (VRI) Cluster was created!


What kind of support do clusters get from the S3 implementation?� Maritim cluster in Møre: challenges when Norwegian work life

culture is challenged by a large proportion of foreign employment

� Windmill ‘cluster’ in Nordfjord: bringing in the right R&D� Windmill ‘cluster’ in Nordfjord: bringing in the right R&Dcompetence from outside the region

� Cooperation with University to educate tailored engineers� Foresight in clusters

� Network companies and R&D partners� Crossover technology with existing R&D in region

� Etc etc


Thank you for your attention!

[email protected]@rcn.no

role of clusters in smart specialisation

Technology

smart specialisation

smart rd investment

question of rd specialisation

regional innovation

commission resources

regional innovationcapacity

couldassist regions

indicators policy instruments