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“What’s so smart about smart specialisation for Regions?”

Transnational cooperation programmes and Smart Specialisation Patrizia Minardi | Managing Authority Operational Programme Basilicata ERDF 2007/2013

Question: How can transnational cooperation programmes support Smart Specialisation Strategies?

Before to answer to your question let me explain why Basilicata Region is interested in smart specialization. We are considering Smart specialization as a possible evolution of our current innovation strategy, which we would like to develop during the next programming period (2014-2020). We have a Regional Innovation Plan 2007-2013 already focused on “key priorities”: 1) space and hearth observation technologies, prevention of natural disasters and climate changes.

2) renewable energies; 3) mobility and transports; 4) agro-biotechnologies 5) new materials and production technologies We have an “early stage smart specialization strategy” in the space technologies sector because between Potenza and Matera, the two main cities of the region, lies a cluster specialized in earth observation and space robotics strongly supported from our region. A network of enterprises, research centers and university departments are dedicated to satellite technologies, environmental monitoring, seismic research, and the prediction and attenuation of risks related to natural disasters. Over a thousand people work in this cluster, which is nurtured by the Geodesic Space Center of Matera, Telespazio, the University of Basilicata and the National Research Council (CNR) and Enea. A mini study has just been prepared for DG Regio with the aim to investigate the economic potential of space technologies for European regions with respect to the concept of smart specialization based on a sample of 10 regions consulted, all part of the NEREUS network (Andalusia, Baden Württemberg, Basilicata, Bavaria, Brandenburg, East Midlands, Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Lombardy, Mazovia, Midi-Pyrenees).

So to come back to your question I would like to underline that the EC Communication (COM, 2010 – 553 final) “Regional policy contributing to smart growth in Europe 2020” lists actions to attain the smart growth objectives through regional policy and its funding. Particularly, “Action 3” pursuing the possibility (under Article 37 (6)(b) of Regulation EC No 1083/2006) to finance interregional cooperation to promote research and innovation under the Convergence and Regional Competitiveness Objectives and better access to international research and innovation networks under FP7 and CIP. Consequently I believe that interregional cooperation, expecially through European networks/platforms, as ERRIN, is a concrete tool to implement a smart specialization strategy, in order to increase connectivity, internationalization, integration of value chain and best practices’ exchange between European regional clusters or “Triple Helix Systems” (regional authorities, enterprises and universities/research centers). The regions need to cooperate with other regions to set up and implement a smart specialization strategy through a peer learning. They should define together concrete tools: policy, law, regulation, procurement, financial and equity capital, SME support infrastructures, technological infrastructures, networking and clustering, business incubators, peer review, human capital training and mobility, governance, etc). Regions will need information at the EU, Member State and regional level so that they can be aware of other S3 strategies, sectoral priorities and tools in other regions. Maybe could be helpful to create an European data base.

This perspective entails also territorial cooperation actions as a mean through which collaborate to build European value chains, or in other words, to realise networking policies shaping patterns of specialised diversification across related technologies which are important for our growth.

In this respect the Basilicata region is devising a call for supporting actions of territorial cooperation with at least one partner from another member state to be place under the provision of Article. 37. of the Regulation EC 1083/2006.

Through such a call the Basilicata will select and approve the proposed actions contributing to the achievement of the axes objectives of the program and combining with the general design of our S3.

The ERDF Operational Programme Axes involved will be Accessibility - Knowledge Society Competitiveness - Promotion of cultural and natural assets - Urban systems - Social Inclusion Energy and Sustainable Development.

The actions proposed that best fit our local knowledge specialisations shaping the innovation potential of the region - such as renewable energy, biotech and earth observation, automotive manufacture, agrifood and fossil fuel extraction -, will be under scrutiny as best integrated within the Basilicata S3 strategy.

Beneficiaries can be regional structures and other public institution established in the Basilicata Region, in partnership with public bodies, non-profit and non-governmental organizations that have statutory objectives and competencies consistent with those defined in the related announcement.

Funded activities will include studies and research, exchange of good practices, setting up of innovative and replicable activities, exchange of experiences through exchange of personnel.

In particular, the planned activities aim to create high-profile job opportunities, strengthening the professional skills marketable in the innovation processes of the local production system.

The total funding available is equal to 3,620,000 euros, distributed between the mentioned axes.