Description
Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) are designed to foster region-specific economic growth through research and innovation. Launched in 2010, S3 encourages EU regions to identify and invest in areas where they have unique strengths, thereby promoting competitive advantage. It is built on three pillars: Localisation, Prioritisation, and Participation—focusing on place-based assets, concentrating resources on select priorities, and engaging local stakeholders. In the 2021-2027 period, governance enhancements support effective strategy implementation, crucial for advancing Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Clusters play a significant role in Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) by acting as intermediaries and catalysts within regional innovation ecosystems. They facilitate collaboration between stakeholders —such as businesses, research institutions, and government bodies—enhancing industrial engagement, driving cross-sector innovation, knowledge exchange and resource sharing. This cooperation is essential for aligning regional strengths with broader innovation goals and accessing multiple funding sources, like the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Horizon Europe, to support projects strategically. Clusters are also instrumental in building regional networks and projects across Europe.
The Smart Specialisation Community of Practice (S3 CoP) serves as a central EU hub for knowledge, guidance, networking, and peer learning on Smart Specialisation Strategies, supporting the strategy’s development and implementation. It provides resources like the S3 Observatory and targeted support. Clusters can engage in the S3 CoP by participating in thematic platforms and partnerships, contributing to the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, the strategies implementation phases, and accessing resources to enhance their role in regional innovation systems, supporting collaboration and alignment with S3 goals.
Speakers will included:
- Silvia Álvarez Santos, DG REGIO, European Commission
- Christoph Reiss-Schmidt, Head National & International Projects, Business Upper Austria
- Gus Verhaeghe, Innovation Manager, Flanders' FOOD
- Patrick Vuillermoz, General Director, Polymeris
- Anders Olsson, Manager of Research and Innovation, Region Värmland
This even is part of regular online meetings brought to the cluster community by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. They offer up-to-date insights into the latest industrial policies and clusters’ involvement, projects and best practices, the latest ECCP news, and funding opportunities. The EU Clusters Talks are a space to exchange knowledge and to discuss cluster-relevant topics, which will change with every meeting. Registration for this event is mandatory before 3 December 2024, 23:59 CET. This event is open for participants from the EU/COSME/SMP countries. Approval will be given on an individual basis.
Summary
Please, find here the slides of this EU Cluster Talk.
Watch the full recording of the webinar: