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2nd benchmark report of the IPP Project

- www.i-p-p.eu -

Strategies for successful Internationalisation

Final Draft Version: 08.12.2011

Introduction: The lack of external links and the limited cooperation of innovation intermediaries are important drawback factors to the accomplishment of a higher rate of innovation and, therefore, to generating growth and employment at regional level. Businesses, but also public institutions, are often unaware of the support instruments and structures available to support their activities for internationalisation as recently published in a report by the European Commission1. In addition these drawback factors are often accompanied by low performance targets set by the funding authorities. The Interregional Partnership Platform (IPP) is an INTERREG IV C project aiming to improve the capacity of regions for innovation by increasing the performance of innovation intermediaries at local and regional levels in the partner regions in European co-operation and EU innovation programmes. One of the key elements of the project is the development of an interregional benchmark for internationalisation. This second benchmark report of the IPP project aims at the following aspects:

1 http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/market-

access/files/communication_sme_internationalisation_draft_en.pdf

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taking stock of the ongoing efforts to support interregional co-operation in the four IPP regions

compiling existing internationalisation strategies in the participating regions at local and regional level

deducting success factors for internationalisation strategies

updating the areas and project potential for co-operation in the IPP regions. Its findings are based on a questionnaire which was sent to all IPP regions.

1. Ongoing efforts to support interregional co-operation in the four IPP regions Initiation of interregional cooperation

Interregional cooperation between the IPP regions was initiated already in the previous funding period of the INTERREG programme. An important role was played by the INTERREG IIIC project “Perspective 2007-2013”. This project included as partners Észak-Alföld, Saxony-Anhalt and Valencia and created a number of sub-projects in the field of automotive industry, tourism, waste management, renewable energy and water management. Valencia stated that this brought a great number of partners together building the foundation for further co-operation.

The IPP Partners have used the co-operation platform so far for a number of new initiatives to engage in European projects, mainly in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energies however only a limited number of new projects were initiated. Nonetheless this is expected to change. Coordinated by the Fundacion Comunidad Valenciana - Region Europea the IPP search tool was developed and in only a few months of operation nearly 140 regional users are registered and more then 230 project searches have already been carried out.

Saxony-Anhalt has used project meetings to establish direct contact between single institutions or companies as a basis for future cooperation.

Latvia has used the project to include a number of new project partners in the co-operation with the other regions.

Eszak-Alföld Region has indicated a number of new project proposals with partners from the IPP regions during the last two years ranging from staff exchanges, vocational training and life long learning programmes. Since 2010 the INNOVA and ÉARDA has the following common projects with them:

Project name Programme Thematic focus Partner(s) from Észak-Alföld

Partner(s) from IPP regions

EX-ACT - EXchange of experts to improve the mobility ACTivities of regional organizations

Leonardo da Vinci Mobility – LLP

Traineeship for regional experts

ÉARDA INNOVA

Representation of Saxony-Anhalt to the EU Regional Representation of Valencia

Erasmus professional trainee programme for university students

Erasmus - LLP Traineeship for university students

ÉARDA Debrecen University

Ministry of Science and Economy of Saxony-Anhalt

SEMIGRA - Selective Migration and Unbalanced Sex Ratio in Rural Regions

ESPON Research for demographic changes

ÉARDA

Ministry for Regional Development and Transport of the Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt

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PERIA - Partnership on European Regional Innovation Agencies

INTERREG IVC

Cooperation between Regional Authorities and Regional Innovation Agencies

ÉARDA INNOVA

Polytechnic City of Innovation Foundation – Valencia Development Bank of Saxony-Anhalt

The first year of the IPP project has also shown that it takes longer than expected to develop new project application as initially envisaged. The Municipality of Fehérgyarmat (ÉA) was interested in the project idea of Cultrail of the European Tourism Association (Saxony Anhalt). Although this proposal was not submitted finally the cooperation interest are encouraged among the two organisations and with the Tourinform Office of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County as well. The University of Magdeburg submitted a Leonardo project titled “Mobility of Students in Vocational Education” in which the University of Debrecen was also a partner, implementation started this year.

In 2010 the Municipality of Paterna was introduced as a new partner in the IPP project. Since then the Paterna Municipality has not initiated any co-operation project nor has applied for any other EU programme. In the INTERREG IVC project IPP the municipality will be responsible for the coordination of a pilot project on internationalisation strategies by local communities. Through the exchange of local actors further cooperation possibilities are expected to be fostered. Establishing regional partnerships

One key success of the IPP project already seen at this rather early stage of the project is the development of the regional IPP-partnership approach. Saxony-Anhalt has engaged the following institutions into the partnership at regional level: - EU Service Agency Saxony-Anhalt - Enterprise Europe Network Saxony-Anhalt / tti Magdeburg - EU Academic Network Saxony-Anhalt - Municipality of Halberstadt - Administrative district Harz - Municipality of Magdeburg - Municipality of Halle - Administrative district Anhalt-Bitterfeld - Helionat registered cooperative (for solar energy) - European Association “Sites of the Reformation” - Labor für Umweltschutz und chemische Analytik (LUS GmbH) - Representatives of ministries, the state chancellery, the association of towns and

municipalities and universities were invited to share known project ideas via using the previously launched IPP IT-tool.

Many of these actors came together for the first time to discuss ways and procedures on how to combine forces in starting new European collaboration projects. This is also part of the innovative character of the project.

Eszak-Alföld has done similar things by engaging the following partners in the regional IPP platform: - Local municipalities and county self-governments – Municipality of Jászberény; Municipality

of Fehérgyarmat; Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County Government; Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Government

- Chambers of commerce and industry – Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Hajdú-Bihar County

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- Higher education institutions – University of Debrecen; College of Nyíregyháza - Europe Direct InfoPoints – Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Development Agency; Euro-

Region House; - Cívis Ház Public Company - Észak-Alföld Regional Development Agency - PRIMOM Foundation for Promoting Enterprises - Hajdú-Bihar County Police Headquarters - Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency - Széchenyi Programme Office - Tourinform Office of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County

Valencia also involved the main regional and local actors from Valencia Region, with interest in the IPP Cooperation Project, such as: - IMPIVA (SMES Institute of Valencia Region) / SEIMED (Servicio Empresa e Innovación en

el Mediterráneo) - REDIT - Network of Technological Institutes of the Valencian Region - RUVID - Network of Universities of the Valencian Region for Researching and innovation - Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation from Valencian Region - Local Development Agencies - OPIDI-CV (R&D and Innovation Projects Office of the CV) - Municipality of Paterna, la Pobla de Vallbona, Enguera, and other municipalities and

counties. - FVMP – Federation of Municipalities of Valencian Region - FCVRE Fundación Comunidad Valenciana Región Europea - Mercavalencia - Regional Ministry of Environment - Private companies (more than 15 companies of different sectors, ICT, Metal, Agro-food,

Chemical, engineering & consultancy, medical technology, ..) - Scientific Park of the University of Valencia - ESPAITEC, Scientific & technologic Park of the Jaume I University of Castellón - EICC - Indo-European Chamber of Commerce - UPV- Polytechnic University of Valencia - GVDM Projects Group - UPV- Polytechnic University of Valencia - ITM Material Technology Institute - UPV- Polytechnic University of Valencia—Valencia International Campus of Excellence

(UPV - VLC Campus) /Polytechnics City of Innovation (CPI) - AIDIMA – Technology Institute of Wood, furniture and Packaging. - Valencian Federation of Provinces & Municipalities (FVMP) - Regional Development Agency for the SMES enterprises of the Valencian Region (IMPIVA) - Network of Technological Institutes of Valencian Region (REDIT) - County of Interior — “Tierra del Vino” and County of Camp del Turia - COIT – Professional Association of - Enterprise & professional associations. (COIT - Telecom Engineers, AVAESEN – Energy

Sector, ASOCULT – social& cultural integration, COIICV – Industrial Engineers, ASIVALCO – Industrial Park of “Fuente del Jarro”, TACTICA, L’Andana, Technology Park of Valencia, …)

Paterna has involved from the beginning of their participation in the IPP project the following stakeholders:

the economic actors of the municipality, that means, the SMEs, through its business associations which are at the same time together in the Economic Interest Grouping Paterna Innova 5, A.I.E: around 1.200 from the five industrial and services areas:

Industrial Park Fuente del Jarro, represented by its association ASIVALCO Business Park Tactica, represented by its association ADET

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Technological Park represented by its Conservation Entity

Industrial Park L’Andana, represented by its Employer’s Association

Scientific Park of the Valencia University, represented by its Management.

Technological and research agents through the Technological Institutes together in the net Redit and the Research Institutes of the Scientific Park of the Valencia University.

Other socio-economic agents of the municipality through the Municipal Economic and Social Council: unions, citizen organizations, financial institutions…

Municipal council departments with an interest in the contents of the IPP: the European Union Relations Office, the area of economic promotion and the employment area.

Also Latvia engaged a wide range of regional and national partners in the regional IPP platform:

Regional development/Development of Business:

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Institute of Economics (Latvian Academy of Sciences), Rural Consultation and Education Center of Pieriga Region, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, City Council of Valmiera, Council of Cēsis Local Municipality, Valmiera Business and Innovation Incubator, Riga Planning Region, Zemgale Planning Region, Kurzeme Planning Region, Vidzeme Planning Region, City Council of Daugavpils.

Information and Technology

The Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association, Latvian Open Technology Association, State Regional Development Agency (IT sector), Innovation Center of University of Latvia.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Latvian Environmental Investment Fund, Ministry of Economics (IEE Contact point), City Council of Valmiera.

Creative Industries

Ministry of Culture, Tourism Development Agency, Kurzeme Planning Region, Zemgale Planning Region, Tourism and Information Centre of Cēsis, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Contemporary Art Centre, Design Center of Latvia.

Research and Development

7FP Contact Point in Latvia, Institute of Environmental Solutions, University of Latvia, Latvian Technological Institute, Innovation and Science Center of Vidzeme, University of Applied Sciences (Valmiera).

The ongoing efforts in the IPP partner regions show that – although only a limited number of projects have been developed and submitted – the foundation has been laid for a strong interaction and synergies particularly with the IPP partner search tool and the number of active partners in the IPP regional partnerships. Valencia has been identified early on with its unique Fundacion Valenciana Region Europea as a best practice for the other IPP partners. The FCVRE has been developing a new flexible structure for their Valencia IPP Regional Partnership Meetings, in line with a more effective

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strategy of involvement of a larger group of local/regional actors and intermediaries in the IPP Project cooperation. It is organized, as follows:

- Europa IMPULSA. Focus on the promotion of the participation in EU Programmes &

Funding opportunities. Based in Conferences & Seminars, and designed to communicate new opportunities for international cooperation (from 50 to 500 participants). Each event is focused on thematic areas of regional & local interest, such as innovation, internationalisation, environment, energy, water, education & employment, social issues, etc... EU funding opportunities and actual project examples are presented, in collaboration with other regional & local innovation intermediate bodies. At the end of the event new ideas for cooperation & projects are written by participants on Project Sheets or directly in the IPP Tool.

- Europa OPINA, Focus on EU Policies, Strategies and Interregional Cooperation. Based in

Workshops & Working Lunch (up to 15-20 High level & Executive participants) designed to create a debate among main public and private entities of the Valencian Region with the European entities involved in the development of policies dealing with innovation, economical, environmental, social issues at local, regional & national levels. Each Europa Opina has a thematic focus, and a High level representative form the EU is invited.

- Direct Contacts and Visits. Identification of possibilities for EU cooperation or EU Project

proposal for a specific idea, and give technical support on the strategy, best structure and possible EU partners. The participants are mainly entities, institutions and enterprises with specific interest in EU interregional cooperation and EU project participation. Some of these contacts & visits take place after the events mentioned before (Europa Impulsa & Europa Opina). This is a B2B initiative with the FCVRE to build the first structure of a strategic project proposal with possibilities of successful in EU financing program.

- Articles in Eurolocal and other Newsletters. Focus on communication & dissemination

about EU info of interest at regional & local level. In each edition, IPP activities & information, results and opportunities for cooperation, in the framework of the IPP Project, are included.

Key findings:

- All partners used the initial stages of the IPP project to establish a viable partnership

of innovation and internationalization intermediaries in the regions. - In some cases various regional intermediaries came together for the first time to

discuss and to develop synergies in their internationalisation activities and in developing European cooperation projects

- It takes often more time from engaging new partners at the local level to include them

in interregional cooperation projects whereby in principle it is much easier to include partners in on-going co-operations rather starting completely new ones

- With the involvement of Paterna as a new co-operation partner the local dimension of

the IPP approach was definitely strengthened.

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2. Internationalisation activities/strategies in the participating regions at local and regional level

The survey of the five IPP partners has shown a wide range of strategies and activities at local and regional level to address the challenges of internationalisation. Most of these strategies are designed in the context of innovation policy, support given for SME or in the context of inward investment. Very often these internationalisation strategies are connected with specific local and regional networks and specific agencies or institutions.

2.1. Saxony-Anhalt

No IPP partner has however an overall internationalisation strategy so far. Saxony-Anhalt is the only partner who is currently working on such an overarching strategy to be adopted early next year. The 2nd IPP benchmark report is therefore useful to feed into this debate. In Saxony-Anhalt internationalisation is of high value for the regional development. This is reflected in the innovation strategy of the region, which points out the need to support of enterprises and researches in taking part in European programmes. Overall the government of Saxony-Anhalt aims to improve the participation of regional actors in interregional cooperation. Internationalisation activities can be found for the sectors economic and regional development, research and development and innovation. Four EU advisory agencies have been established that offer target group specific information on available European programmes and support interested partners. The services provided are directed to local authorities by EU Service Agency Saxony-Anhalt, businesses, especially SMEs by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Saxony-Anhalt and universities as well as researchers by the EU academic network. GO-Europe focuses on interregional cooperation for young people. Information on these entities that provide support on interregional cooperation and EU programmes has been published recently. Furthermore interregional cooperation projects for the improvement of competitiveness and the improvement of qualification of employees is funded by the state chancellery program “Sachsen-Anhalt Interregional2”. The universities and universities of applied sciences of Saxony-Anhalt have given themselves internationalisation strategies. The state of Saxony-Anhalt has agreed with the universities located in the region that the international profile of the universities needs to be further strengthened through thematic and regional priorities and the creation of networks to attract students, lecturers and researchers and to stimulate the transfer of knowledge into the region. Therefore internationalisation measures have been included in the framework agreements for the period 2011 – 2013 between the universities and the state of Saxony-Anhalt. One of the measures agreed upon is the establishment of the international graduate academy at the Martin-Luther University Halle and the development of joint study courses with foreign universities. (Zielvereinbarung 2011 bis 2013 zwischen dem Kultusministerium des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt und der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 17. February 2011: A3.3, A.4) Similar agreements have been made with the other institutes of higher education in the region. Municipalities are currently most active in twinning activities, followed by experiences in individual projects like international exchanges of schools or fire brigades. The city of

2 http://www.sachsen-anhalt.de/index.php?id=30712

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Magdeburg, for example, has established an International office that coordinates the international relations of the municipality. In October 2011 a congress of the twinning cities of Magdeburg has been organised to develop further cooperation activities. To foster interregional cooperation of local authorities also in other areas than twinning activities an advisory service agency has been established that offers information and guidance on European funds to this target group. The agency has recently organised a series of seminars, which focused on providing knowledge on the requirements of and chances offered by cooperation programmes.

2.2. Észak-Alföld Region

In the Észak-Alföld Region there are currently initial concepts for influencing policies and general strategies. As for now there are no specific internationalisation strategies but important strategy papers as the Regional Development Concept of the Észak-Alföld region, the Regional Energy Strategy and the Regional Innovation Strategy. The thematic strategies address the importance of cross border, transnational and international cooperation. Important topics for strategy development are economic and regional development, Research and Development and Innovation and the environment, in these fields strategy development currently is going on.

With regard to economic and regional development the goal for Észak-Alföld is to design consciously, deepen and coordinate the region’s international relationships in order to use the different EU programmes and direct funds supporting international cooperation as effectively as possible. Thanks to this it is possible for regional stakeholders, regional/local authorities, NGOs, educational and research institutions and SMEs to utilize the benefits of the cooperation with partners from other EU countries and regions in the long run.

The strategy contains the following elements: - Benchmark and analyse of external relationships of the region; - Survey of future international project ideas and initiatives; - Identification of the key stakeholders; - Preparation and operation of an external relationship network; - Examination of the good practice of the region and partner regions as well, Identification of

opportunities to transfer best practices. The following actions are foreseen: - Development and operation of international relationship network; - Elaboration of international projects, which effects regional economy; - International marketing (participation on fairs, webpage development, promotion materials); - Global grant for SMEs (partner meetings, staff exchange programme, good practice

exchange). Furthermore the following supporting activities are planned: - involvement of the regional representation in Brussels; - supporting interregional networking; - deepen and widen the already existing international partnerships; - communication and dissemination of the results of the results of the different existing

interregional co-operations; - internship-programmes in partner regions.

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In the field of Research and Development and Innovation Észak-Alföld considers both areas as substantial for the future development of the region. A Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) has been developed which combines both R&D and Innovation in one strategic document.

Furthermore the strategy emphasises the need of developing international relationships and incorporates in the Regional Innovation Operative Programme. The Innovation Operative Programme aims at the adaptation of international experiences, good practices, the reinforcement of knowledge and technology transfer especially in the fields of innovation management and marketing. Another goal is the formation and expansion of research networks to encourage international cooperation between researchers in innovative areas. The Észak-Alföld Region likewise carried out activities to support internationalisation for research institutions with the establishment of a Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office, which contributes to the transfer of innovative results achieved by research institutions, the support of the import of knowledge and technology and the elaboration of innovation management and marketing pilot projects. A consortium has been formed for accessing research and development grants. Additionally international innovation projects are carried out. In the field of the environment the most notable capabilities of the region can be unlocked in areas like biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy sources. Relating to this topic the same can be pointed out as for R&D and Innovation when it comes to internationalisation strategy out – there is no separate internationalisation strategy. However thanks to the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme the Észak-Alföld Regional Energy Agency (ENEREA) was established in 2009 as the first one in Hungary. The mission of the agency is to promote energy efficiency, to support the rational usage of energy resources, to foster the usage of new and renewable energy resources and to support energy diversification. The Agency elaborated the Regional Energy Strategy in 2010 and similarly to the RIS the importance of international cooperation is emphasized in the document. The Regional Energy Agency will help the region to get more information about international solutions, projects and experience. The main activities of ENEREA are Capacity building, national and international cooperation as well as communication and dissemination. With regard to company support in the Észak-Alföld Region there have been few supporting programmes ones for the internationalisation activities of SMEs. The “Establishing and development of international service centres” call for proposal (2.1.3.) of the Economic Development Operational Programme is already closed but it primarily aimed at the creation of new workplaces and not the assistance of international market access of SMEs. In the framework of the New Széchenyi Plan the ÉAOP 1.1.2. call for proposal aimed at the support of clusters and company co-operations (B2B) with the strengthening of international relations. Here the participation at international conferences and study trips was also an eligible activity. Beside these calls there are several institutions that would like to support the international activities of the SME-s. The two most important ones are the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency – HITA and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry – both operating on county level: The chambers of commerce and industry operate on county level in the country. They try to encourage the international activities of SMEs with having contacts with foreign and Hungary-based mixed chambers and also with offering a wide range of services such as information on foreign markets; consultation on foreign trades; mediating business proposals to abroad and

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information on foreign legal regulation. Being also Enterprise Europe Network members in the framework of this network the chambers aims also the followings on international level: - Business development; - Gaining European markets; - Supporting technology transfer; - Promoting international R&D cooperation. The international relations of the different local authorities are based on the twin relations and they try to use these connections when they submit any project applications. However these international project applications are mainly characteristic for bigger towns (county towns) and for county governments. The relationships are principally based on cultural issues, but counties are increasingly trying to involve their schools, chambers, settlements and institutions operated by the municipalities. The most common cooperation fields are the followings: sport, youth and culture. None of the regional towns or counties has any strategy for their international relationships. They try to conciliate with their neighbours – if they have any bordering countries – and draft their plans and objectives at the beginning of every year.

2.3. Valencia region

The Valencia region has developed several strategic plans relating to internationalisation activities in the field of economic and regional development, R&D and innovation and environment. Concerning strategic papers most importantly the 2010-2015 EPI – Strategic Plan for Innovation, Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Valencia has to be named. Other strategy papers which also influence internationalisation activites include a Territorial Strategy of the Valencian Community, Valencia Region Strategy to climate change 2008-2012, both developed by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Housing, a Valencia Region Strategic Infrastructure Plan 2010-2020, Valencia Region Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, Valencia Region Global Strategic Plan of Tourism 2010-2020 Internationalisation is one of the five main objectives and an important goal for the region. Valencia has defined five axes of action to achieve the strategic objectives and thus internationalisation in the Strategic Plan for Competitiveness and Internationalisation.

People, because in the knowledge economy, human resources are the primary source of competitiveness.

Innovation, technology, management and business model to generate new business opportunities and market niches, especially in our consolidated sectors.

Diversification, creating industrial activities and high value-added services in emerging sectors and promoting innovative entrepreneurship.

Business growth, to increase the average size of our business and support the development of “tractors & leading” business groups in strategic sectors for the Valencian economy.

Internationalization, for our companies and industries to expand their competitive position in international markets and exploit all the opportunities of globalization.

Strategic commitment to articulate and strengthen the Regional Innovation System of the Valencian Region and develop infrastructure in industrial areas and technologies of the future.

The process of internationalisation, which is based on the IPP strategy of interregional co-operation, is supported by the constant presence and work of private and/or public

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organizations and entities who offer their services and help to those companies, commercial organizations, enterprises, SMEs, etc. which are part of the Valencia commercial and social panorama. Among the public and private organizations and entities, companies of SMEs, IVEX, IMPIVA, Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, Technology & Research Institutions (such as Universities, Technology Parks & Institutes), and Local Authorities (Provincial Council of Valencia, Castellón and Alicante, the FVMP – Federation of Municipality of Valencia Region, and some municipalities with EU relation offices) can be mentioned. SEIMED (www.seimed.eu) for example is a consortium that brings together organizations, companies, universities and technology centres on European Information, Business Cooperation and Internationalisation, of the regional territory of Valencia and Murcia, and offers personalized assistance in order to achieve international technology cooperation agreements with entities of other networks. To do this, SEIMED also works inside the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), a support network promoted by the European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry that helps companies in developing their full potential and innovative capacities in terms of international growth, technology transfer, access to projects and EU funding. Among other tasks SEIMED wants to encourage business cooperation and the internationalisation of SMEs helping the search for reliable business partners. Companies can consult the Search Business Cooperation, publish applications for business collaborations in its database, shared by more than 40 countries, organizing and participating in international business meetings. Another important pillar supported by the SEIMED is the Technology transfer, commercialising the technology they produce, beyond their mere inclusion in their products and services. It guarantees the economic survival of businesses.

Within a concept of Open Innovation (Open Innovation – Henry W. Chesbrough), the Enterprise and Service Innovation in the Spanish Mediterranean (SEIMED) offers personalized assistance to companies, universities and technology centers in achieving international technology cooperation agreements with entities of other members of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The Network of Technological Institutes of the Valencia Region (REDIT), is a public-private, non-profit association made of 14 associated centres, mainly Technology Institutes and businesses that work in the Science, Technology and Enterprise System. REDIT offers its support and services mainly in developing projects of Research and Development and Innovation.

REDIT´s mission consists in contributing to the regional, national and international recognition of the Technology Institutes as a model of efficient organisation in the Science, Technology and Enterprise System.

REDIT´s vision is to become the organism that joins, integrates and represents the technology centres that are a model in the public and private collaboration, and that, individually and collectively, aspire to the international excellence and leadership in R&D&I and support the competitiveness of businesses through innovation.

The Valencia Region has a Network of Universities for Researching and Innovation (RUVID). In order to establish a common position of all the Valencian universities as stakeholders in the Science-Technology-Enterprise system in the Valencia Region, in 2001, RUVID became a Network of Valencian Universities for the promotion of R & D & I (Research,

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Development and Innovation), through a collaboration agreement signed by the Region’s five public universities. In September 2003, RUVID was established as a non-profit association and is currently made up of the seven Valencian universities.

The Network of Universities of the Valencian Region for Researching and Innovation (Red de Universidades Valencianas para el fomento de la Investigación, el Desarrollo y la Innovación (RUVID)) aims to promote cooperation lines in order to Improve the development and transfer of technological innovation from the Valencian Universities to the production system and to establish a common position of the Universities as agents of the Science-Technology-Enterprise system in the Valencia Region. For reaching these goals RUVID has the following strategies and activities:

Fostering scientific and technological research in the assembly of the Valencian universities. Contributing to enhance the competitiveness of companies and institutions in the Valencia

Region, in national and international markets, through of the technological transfer. Promoting collaboration in the scientific activity of research groups of the universities that

make up the association. Facilitating the participation of the research teams of the Valencian universities in

programmes on national and European level. Favouring the articulation of synergies in the management and the politics of R&D of the

Valencian universities. Encouraging the disclosure and the communication of the science and the technology in the

Valencian Community.

In the technological infrastructures of the universities, the University Research Institutes and R&D Centres are particularly noteworthy since they are organisations specifically dedicated to scientific and technical researches. Thus, they act as organisational units that foster the research work of the departments and the integration of the departments with others units, both inside and outside the same university. In addition to these structures, the universities also enjoy the technical support of laboratories and other research support services, in addition to the research and innovation structures, which in turn provide companies with numerous services.

Each university in the Valencia Region also has a University Knowledge Transfer Offices (OTRI), which handles university-enterprise relations. The OTRIs disseminate and manage the technological capabilities of the universities, negotiating and managing R&D projects. They also provide information and advice for researchers and companies on intellectual property rights and funding sources.

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation shares its goals with the others 84 Chambers of Commerce in Spain. Those goals include to offer services to businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises and to promote the economic development of the locality.

The services offered by the Chamber are organised into three main areas, the first important task is the promotion of international trade, secondly Chambers of Commerce conduct education and training in the Valencia Region and as a last measure the Chambers promote business creation and new technologies and innovation.

The Chamber of Commerce helps companies which do not export to start their dealings in international markets by means of the Foreign Trade Promotion Initiation Plan (PIPE) Programme. It includes a consulting service that gives assistance in putting together the company’s export plans.

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In addition, the Chamber provides businesses with a series of tools which allow them to increase their knowledge and understanding of foreign markets and to improve their marketing strategies. These include CABI (search for information about foreign trade), CACEX (questions and answers regarding foreign trade), DIAPEX (international trade assessment), the Directory of International Companies, and foreign trade surveys. Companies which are interested in exporting can join the Chamber’s Export Consortium Programme, through which they can contact other businesses which are interested in exporting and set up an export consortium. This service allows companies to gather and gain access to foreign markets. Moreover, the Chamber of Commerce helps to deal with many of the procedures and much of the documentation necessary to export: certificates of origin of goods, authentications of trade documents, ATA carnets and visas, and more. Other important actors in Valencia are the Local Development Agencies which are subsidiaries of the municipalities involved in mediation tasks, in promoting and supporting the economic development of their municipalities. They are therefore entities providing a public service, which aims to promote economic and social development, strengthening local resources, promoting employability and entrepreneurship. The major features carried out by the Local Development Agencies are: Promoting the socio-labour sector. The agencies provide a job placement service to job

seekers, developed through the identification of staffing requirements in enterprises. Providing information and promote training activities. Agencies provide information on

existing courses, offerings and supporting the development of training courses in the region led by different agencies. Such training activities are addressed to both employed and unemployed.

Advising and supporting various business initiatives. With this service is provided to both existing businesses and prospective entrepreneurs with all necessary information for implementation of the business. It helps to develop the project, reporting on the legal forms that may take the company, sources of funding, as well as various public aid to entrepreneurs who can access, complete the administrative formalities necessary to realize the business project.

Promoting the development of SMEs. Agencies inform enterprises of, and facilitate access to, the different economic instruments useful for their promotion and encouraging their business competitiveness.

Providing processes and subsidies. The agencies report about existing grants in training and employment businesses, and seminars, and provide access to them.

Conducting municipal projects in the fields of tourism and infrastructure. Promoting partnerships. The agencies encourage partnerships, regarded as a key

instrument for development of the region. They also support the implementation of educational and leisure activities promoted by the various local associations.

Advising local government on employment issues. The agencies develop and manage various programs for employment and other employment initiatives under agreements between the National Employment Institute (Instituto Nacional de Empleo (INEM)) and the local corporations.

Running the equal opportunity plans of municipalities. The agencies hold a series of actions that enable the recruitment and promotion of women in the workplace, as well as their social participation through the organization of activities. They promote the creation and consolidation of women-owned businesses.

Promoting self-employment. The agencies manage training programs on demand, offering those groups who have a difficult labour market access the possibility to have access to micro credit on special terms.

Services are provided by Local Development Agencies and are addressed to: Unemployed.

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Companies, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Applicants for training. Partnerships of various kinds: for business, cultural, etc. Municipalities.

The Companies Projects Office Research and Development & Innovation (OPIDi) is made of representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Innovation and CIERVAL experts, the Council Chambers of the Comunitat Valenciana, as well as technical experts in national, international and regional technical contacts in the areas of Biotechnology-Health, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Nanotechnology, Materials, Production processes, Energy, Environment, and more. It promotes and coordinates business participation in national and international R & D & I. At a European level the OPIDi works with projects related to the National R + D + I and the Technology Fund 2007-2013. Moreover, the office works in cooperation with the Seventh Framework Programme for R & D 2007-2013 and the Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation (CIP) 2007 - 2013. The structure and the level of internationalisation differ from town to town. Some of them have European offices or European Councillors.

2.4. Paterna

Since 2009, the Paterna municipality has chosen to implement an internationalization strategy that has shaped and continues to shape the development of the region. A series of actions towards has been designed to achieve the following objectives: The first objective is to achieve the international promotion of the municipality within a territorial marketing strategy, secondly to achieve external promotion of our businesses globally in order to facilitate sales abroad and its internationalization and as a third to locate Paterna in a position as a preferred destination for foreign investment and the creation of activity. In order to achieve all that Paterna has been developing the following actions as means of internationalisation:

The creation of the European Union Relations Office in order to facilitate and promote the participation in European programmes to both the City Council as well as to business providing information, advice and where appropriate managing on the various calls, initiatives and programmes of the EU and also establishing institutional relations.

Creation of the Economic Interest Grouping "Paterna Innova 5, IAE" which brings together all business areas of the municipality and enables the implementation of joint strategies and coordinated promotion and internationalization (consortia, missions), and its presence in regional, national and European in coordination with the City Council.

Development of the book “Paterna, City of Business” with the incorporation of a multimedia CD, in a bilingual edition for the dissemination of the municipality in its business side, technological and research.

Creation of the association "Paterna, City of Business" which includes the City Council and all economic agents of the municipality, not just industrial companies but also trade, catering and hospitality for the implementation of a business development within what is called "city marketing", in a context of increasing interurban competition, in order to publicize the attractions of Paterna as a city with a strong entrepreneurial tradition through the creation of the brand "Paterna City of Business" as a sign of identity and marketing tool.

Participation in the IPP project and leading the pilot project 2: "local strategy for internationalization" and the parallel performances derived: for example, the proposed Joint Declaration for the Development of Competitive Territories.

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2.5. Latvia

Latvia 2030: Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030 (developed in June 2010) is the main strategic development document in Latvia and although it does not address the question of internationalization directly, international aspect is underlying in the very basis of the strategy. Internationalization aspect is addressed more strongly in the areas of innovative entrepreneurship and R&D: internationalization of research and development. Another strategic document is National Development plan (hereinafter – NDP) which sets forth the main activities to enable sustainable and balanced development of Latvia. One of NDP’s challenges is to create preconditions for a transition from present-day model characterized by use of a semiskilled labour force and manufacture of products with low added value to the innovative (knowledge-based) development model (“intellectualization of economy”). These preconditions include: educated and creative individual (including LifeLongLearning); technological excellence of companies (including commercialization of the results of science; technology transfer; creation of new innovative companies; development of creative industries; sustainable and efficient use of natural and energy resources); development of the science and research. NDP is talking about Riga as a metropolis in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), setting forth the task

to “facilitate the growth of Riga as an economically competitive metropolis in the Baltic Sea region. In Latvia there is no overall internationalisation strategy. Most of the actions are carried within thematic strategies and according to the profiles of five planning regions. The Guidelines for Export Promotion of Latvian Goods and Services and Attraction of Foreign Investment in 2010-2016 serve as a strategic document. They define the basic principles, aims and results to be achieved in export promotion and foreign investment attraction policy. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is a state institution subordinated to the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia. LIAA offers assistance throughout the process of setting up operations in Latvia, acting as a first point of contact and as a 'one-stop-shop' in assisting investors and in developing tailored solutions to meet their specific needs. LIAA has its own regularly updated database of Latvian enterprises to facilitate partner searches for investment projects and for exporting or subcontracting businesses. The Agency also operates the wide database of different types of real estate suitable for different kind of investment projects. Concerning internationalisation of current environmental policy the Environmental Policy Strategy 2009-2015 sets the objectives, defines problems to be solved and results to be attained. It is the main medium-term policy planning document in Latvia. The Strategy acknowledges the international commitment that Latvia has in terms of fulfilling the Lisbon Strategy. Still, there is no explicit internationalisation strategy in the field of environment. There are several bilateral and multilateral agreements between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and different countries. The Latvian Environmental Investment Fund has a development strategy for the period of 2011-2013. The Latvian Environmental Investment Funds mission is to reduce environmental pollution, to promote the implementation of environmental protection projects and also to increase the capacity of municipalities and commercial organizations in preparation and carrying out of qualitative and effective projects from their idea to realization. The Funds activities are directed to achieving the maximal improvement of environment, investing financial resources in implementation of environmental infrastructure development project. There are five planning regions (Riga, Zemgale, Latgale, Kurzeme, Vidzeme) in Latvia and their main mission is to act in accordance with interests of local authorities, to promote sustainable development of own

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territory, to elaborate strategies and development plans and also to coordinate their implementation. Each planning region has set EU Structural Funds’Info Centers which provide information on access to finance from EU funds, on issues of EU funds administration, open calls and seminars. They provide consultations for the project applicants on EU funding, state investment programmes, application procedures, documentation required for the preparation and submission of project application, project’s compliance with the regional development programme etc. EU Structural Fund Info centres’ main target group is local municipalities , educational (general, vocational, higher, further education) institutions, societies and foundations, entrepreneurs in urban and rural areas, state institutions, libraries, NGOs, individuals and other interested parties Each Planning Region has developed their development programme where the internationalization aspect also is covered. For example, the Development Programme of Riga Planning region 2005-2011 sets also the framework for the international cooperation projects. For the field of R&D and Innovation the Riga Planning Region (RPR) has its own Innovation Strategy, the Programme for Promotion of Business Competitiveness and Innovation 2007-2012. It contains goals, planned results with performance indicators as well as the main tasks for achieving the results within a set time schedule. Additionally the paper defines the relation to the priorities of the government and national authority and the main institutions responsible for the tasks. The RPR has implemented a series of international projects. One of these projects is the “IBI Net”, aiming establishment and strengthening the transnational business incubator network in BSR – the platform for continuous exchange of information, know-how and technologies in order to foster development of innovative and export oriented SMEs in the Baltic Sea region. Within the broader BSR development agenda the project will reduce differences in innovation performance and smoothening co-operation and coordination efforts among business support services, especially those provided by IBIs. The project results will advance entrepreneurship in BSR though increased quality and effectiveness of BI services. The project partnership will decrease the gap between the older and newer economies through transfer of best practices and management tools of BI from the partners from the West to East, Byelorussia and Russia including. The project will pursue unexploited opportunities of the networking among BIs in BSR to enhance the quality and effectiveness of business support services. A second project has been the “Small and Innovative Business Promotion network” (SIB) Main partners are University colleges and the High Technology Park from Ventspils, as well as Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. The Tartu Science Park and the Institute of Baltic studies are the partners from Estonia. The aim of the project is to promote new innovative high growth firms (e.g. “gazelles”) by encouraging entrepreneurial creativity, providing needed support and evaluating needs for early stage risk finance. Project aims to solve identified common market failures for partner regions (Kurzeme, Riga and South Estonia) to release innovative spinouts from regional research centres and Higher Education Institutions fuelled by partnership, mutual learning and mobility activities, and required external competence.The backbone of project foresees the development of appropriate idea accelerators to increase the flow of sustainable vital innovative business ideas, including creativity forums, establishment of two new pre-incubators, matching idea authors with skilled entrepreneurs and two policy tools that can be transferred to other regions to reach faster innovative business idea acceleration.

As an output the project partners also see the creation of joint pre-incubation and risk capitalists' cross border network and platform for further projects. The methodological platform as output will contain several deliverables. Knowledge transfer platform as knowledge and competence transfer mechanism - is an additional output to be used long after the finalization of the SIB Net project.

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Another result of internationalisation measures in the RPR is the project “Cult Identity” The Ancient Cult Sites for common Identity on the Baltic Sea Coast. Partners of the RPR are the Zemgale Planning Region, Kurzeme Planning Region, Vidzeme planning Region and Hiite Maja Foundation from Estonia and Gävleborg County museum from Sweden. Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR) has Development Programme which is a medium-term planning document and provides a set of measures of long-term priorities. The aim of document is to promote a balanced development of the whole region. Strategic goal is ensuring the quality of life in Zemgale with three sub-priorities - educated, creative and competitive individual, development of the knowledge economy, high-quality living environment. Development program besides other issues specifies the projects (including international), which will be implemented during the duration of the Development program (planning region does not make investment plans, such plans are developed in counties and cities). Internationalization activities’ target group are companies (particularly SME), chambers of commerce, research institutions, local authorities. Each aim has binded together with internationalization activities:

1) economic and regional development - projects: “Capacity Building of Zemgale Region for Strengthening the Economic Activities and Cooperation with Norwegian Institutions”, “Implementation of activities for promotion of entrepreneurship in Zemgale educational institutions”

2) environment – projects: “Development of management tools for reduction of human impact in specially protected nature areas“,Joint management measures for waters in the Lielupe river basin region(Project acronym - GrandeRio)”,

3) research and development – project “Strengthening of Quality of Life through Improved Management of Urban Rural Interaction”

4) innovation – project: “Plan 4 all” – the harmonization of spatial planning data according to the INSPIRE directive based on the existing best practices in EU regions and municipalities and the results of current research projects.

In the environmental sector internationalisation activities exist for local authorities, public institutions, professional organisations and NGO’s. The Latvian Environmental Investment Fund has stated in its development strategy for 2011 – 2013 that development cooperation is one out of 5 priority areas for its operations. In a great extent it is because the Fund during its operation of over 14 years has built up an extensive experience in the field of environmental projects development, financing, capacity building of final beneficiaries etc. Therefore it is the right moment to disseminate this experience to other countries (that are right now developing their environmental policy and institutional framework for its implementation) as well as to look for synergies with institutions from other EU countries for the further development of new and innovative instruments to promote the development of environmental projects and to implement in a more efficient way. Main instruments for internationalisation activities are in the Riga Planning Region EU funded international cooperation projects. There is no common indicators system for internationalisation activities; however, those should contribute to RPR development priorities and measures. Zemgale Planning Region’s Action Plan provides a performance indicator for each activity. This indicator measures performance, and thus evaluates the whole development program in terms of achievement. There is also developed a monitoring system of the development programs implementation - and here also are certain indicators (which are measurable, comparable).

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These indicators are analyzed each year. However, they are rather abstract, showing the direction of the Development program implementation in a very general and overall way Concerning the environmental sector main actors in internationalisation activities are ministries, local municipalities, professional organisations, NGO's – that are interested new ideas for policy implementation, project development and implementation, awareness raising as well as innovative approaches for stake-holders involvement. Key findings: - In all participating IPP partners there are various strategies to improve

internationalisation by international cooperation. - These strategies can be divided into the following categories:

- Specific internationalisation strategies for the region for particular sectors (industry) or target groups (i.e. SME)

- Elements in other strategies (i.e. Regional Innovation or Inward Investment

Strategies)

- Target agreements between the regional government and universities in the region to increase their participation in EU research programmes

- No region has an overall – multi-sector or horizontal – internationalisation strategy so

far - The following instruments are used to support internationalisation:

o Support networks for specific target groups o Advice and Information centres o Financial support for cooperation o Staff exchanges with partners

- It is unclear so far whether a mapping of all available support and advice service for

internationalisation activities of various target groups is available. It is therefore recommended, to include in the IT- service tool on cooperation a regional overview of all available support instruments and service for internationalisation.

- Main differences exist in the intensity of internationalisation efforts taken into

account the competencies of the participating partners.

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3. Success factors for internationalisation activities/strategies

Given the importance of internationalisation for regional development there is only very little information provided by the IPP regions on success factors for internationalisation. Saxony-Anhalt uses the export rate and the rate of participation in EU-projects as benchmarks for their internationalisation activities in the business sector. In addition the number of exchanges of students, postgraduates and lecturers as well as the participation in interregional conferences is often used as a measure of success in the academic sector. The awareness on the possibilities offered by interregional cooperation is increasing even though this does not reflect instantly in a growing number of cooperation projects. Regional players are, however, learning more on the key requirements for participating in activities on interregional level. Still, the awareness on the importance of internationalisation needs to be raised further on all levels of administration and in all institutions of Saxony-Anhalt. It has been found that good practices and successful examples are the best instruments to motivate others. With regard to local administration and other public entities participation in as well as applications for cooperation projects might reflect good practices in internationalisation promotion. Furthermore efforts of regional players to dismantle obstacles for interregional cooperation and initiatives to get involved in interregional actions need to be taken into account. The internationalisation promotion in Saxony-Anhalt relies on a three-level support structure:

1st level: Policies and a framework for internationalisation is provided by the ministries

2nd level: In close cooperation the EU-service agencies offer coordinated, structured support to actors interested in cooperating.

3rd level: Cooperation in projects by partners from the different regions realises internationalisation.

In Saxony-Anhalt a very good cooperation exists between the different Service Agencies. Each agency has a specific focus on a special target group (SME, municipality, R&D-Institutions). In many cases the needs of information and support overlap. So the service agencies started to coordinate the activities between themselves. In result of that the communication between the partners from the different target groups has improved. This raises the potential for regional and international co-operation. The Valencia Region has developed a Strategic Plan for this issue which contain the objectives, the planned actions and a set of indicators to measure the success of internationalisation strategies. Valencia sees the need for human capital (people, entrepreneurs and workers, which constitute our main productive resource in the knowledge economy) and the necessary Business links network as essential to provide resources and support to grow in size and that allow dealing with internationalisation and innovation needed to compete in a global environment.

To promote the diversification of our production, both supporting our consolidated industries such as promoting entrepreneurship and creating new innovative companies.

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Valencia Region wants to share a set of content that a successful strategy must include, a lesson they are sharing after developing their regions Strategic plan for Innovation, Competitiveness and Internationalization3

o A comprehensive set of measures that reflect the decision of the Regional Government,

along with input from business and labour representatives. o The human capital, which is the main asset of a Region. o The capability, ambition and clarity of ideas. o The confidence in ourselves and in our future. o Effort and work. In the city of Paterna internationalisation strategies include guiding elements which serve as success factors for the internationalisation o It is necessary to have an agreed strategy between local governments and socio-economic

actors involved. This guarantees that they assume that the development effort is a joint effort and development responsibilities are equally shared.

o A “pleasant environment” for regional development has to be fostered and the foundations

for a new corporate culture based on public-private partnerships and local innovation capacity have to build up

o Promotion and strengthening of assets which identify cities the most through building a

culture of strategic branding and participation. A combination of tangible and intangible resources is also of importance as a success factor

o It is important to promote local positioning, as a highly attractive site to domestic and foreign

investment, operationally acting in matters relating to the promotion, coordination and monitoring of direct investment policy, proposing appropriate incentive mechanisms and drive growth and investment of local firms and their integration into national and international markets.

The advantages of the city of Paterna as a location for foreign investment projects are highlighted through documents in multiple languages. Another success factor has been the use of the strategic territorial marketing tool. It is associated with the development of an external economic projection plan of the city. A range of activities can be named, participation in events of national and international prestige associated with economic and foreign investment, cooperation and organisation of events that promote the image of Paterna in sectors of economic importance and media of particular relevance to the city. The image of connectivity and the projects has to be boosted, involving an improvement of communications and logistics capacity. Also Paterna is coordinating promotional activities together with the exporting companies of Paterna. Another success factor is to strengthen the very own particular strategies of the economic actors in a region, especially SMEs, research institutions and knowledge transfer organisms. It has to be kept in mind that internationalisation is a public strategy of global and local character. Any internationalisation activity should promote a smooth and mutually enriching exchange of information and experiences in promoting territorial economic strategies and policies. This should be done to promote employment, to include local governments by pooling the know-how acquired and facilitating collaboration.

3 Based in “2010-2015 EPI-Plan Estratégico de Innovación, Competitividad e Internacionalización de la

Comunidad Valenciana”

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It is difficult to establish a series of quantitative indicators, for this type of a global strategy, especially in a situation atypical like one of an international economic crisis, which determines both the starting values and the subsequent comparison of evolution. However Paterna has developed the following indicators, Indicators of the Municipal Investment Agency: information requests, advised projects, investment projects consolidated, changes in foreign presence of local SMEs (sales, investments, agreements…), Increased presence of the brand “Paterna, City of Business” in the media, evolution of cooperation of the City Council and its departments with other international organizations.

In the Riga Planning Region the success is predominantly measured against to what degree (qualitative/quantitative) the planned results are achieved in a specific project. The measurement indicators can be

Number of approved projects versus number of submitted projects,

Ability of covering with EU projects all relevant areas of RPR development,

Number of regional actors involved (SMEs, professional associations, universities, local municipalities, business support agents etc.

Amount of EUR attracted per year

There are indicated main directions and tasks in the strategies, with defined performance indicators that should be reached as a result of policy measures. The status of implemented actions and output indicators make it possible to determine the success of policy measures. For the Riga Planning Region one of the most important success factors is wide dissemination, tell everybody and everywhere what you are doing – use any opportunity to disseminate. Another factor is close cooperation with all partners and stakeholders involved during the development of activities and flexibility during their implementation. EU projects are based on development needs of RPR municipalities and should be complementary/should generate new knowledge within the context of ‘soft’/’hard’ projects implemented in the region. EU projects are based on consultations with municipalities; however, they should be developed in such a way that they are appealing to the financer. The aim is to generate future solutions not to solve yesterday’s problems. EU projects are developed for future challenges and having multiplier effect in the region. Results generated can be used for building up new development initiatives. Concerning a particular activity, the protection of the environment experienced staff of the Latvian Environmental Investment Fund has been named as an important success factor as well as the availability of the Fund’s own financial resources. The area of activity also can be a success factor as the protection of the environment has become a high priority area at the international arena. Riga Planning Region points out the role of establishing partnerships as a lesson for shaping successful internationalisation strategies. One should start with try case-by-case approach, especially because in the starting point it is difficult to find cooperation partners that are reliable, on the national level it might be feasible however it is especially challenging at the international level. One should go a step-by-step approach, it is impossible to start as a lead partner, even with a good project idea.

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One of the prerequisites for the elaboration of the Zemgale Planning Region’s Development Programme is that all municipalities must be involved in it (currently there are 20 counties and two major cities). Thus developing a document means integrating information and needs which come both from us – developers – and local municipalities.

As a second success factor is mentioned the fact that all regional governments elaborating their development programs must take into account both national-level and regional level planning documents, and both long-term (Development strategy) and medium-term (Development Programme.

To ensure a successful cooperation, the parties must have the following characteristics - being open minded, possess language skills, social skills, flexibility, precision and punctuality. Key findings: - Given the complex nature of internationalisation, the IPP regions so far only take into

account a limited number of indicators to measure success in their efforts. - The current indicators used relate mainly to economic aspects (share of export) or to

quantify the number of cooperation projects the regions is involved in. - However some innovative elements can be found in creating a local/regional brand

and measuring the “brand awareness” - It is also said by some IPP partners that the awareness of the target group about the

available advice and support measures is a clear success factor for internationalisation.

- Furthermore it can be seen that internationalisation and cluster development are

clearly interrelated4 - In a later stage of the IPP project it should therefore be investigated whether a

networking of the regional clusters could be another step to foster internationalisation and innovation.

4 As also found in the Commission Report: „Small Business, big world – a new partnership to help SMEs

seize global opportunities“, p. 13

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4. Updated areas and project potential for co-operation in the IPP regions

All IPP regions have identified a number of topics which have the most potential for interregional cooperation projects in the next year. For Saxony-Anhalt and Észak-Alföld topics of highest interest are directed towards internationalisation of SMEs, whereas for Észak-Alföld the development of clusters is topic of highest interest. Saxony-Anhalt has come up with a list of further topics with potential for projects within the next year such as demographic challenges, logistics, medical technology, culture, waste management and e-government. The Észak-Alföld Region sees the most potential for interregional co-operation projects in areas like mobility of entrepreneurs and young employees; preservation of cultural heritage; creative industries; energy efficiency; cooperation of representations in Brussels and the utilization of Structural Funds after 2013. Based on the contributions for the IPP Cooperation IT Tool which the main regional and local actors made, the main areas for cooperation are currently environment, energy, health, social inclusion, employment and immigration, as well as information and communication technologies, innovation and development, interregional cooperation, transport and city mobility. Furthermore, nearly 20 ideas for projects or interest for cooperation in European projects have been uploaded by the regional actors. The most popular areas for cooperation are energy, environment, water management, tourism and culture, employment, and training. Paterna considers that the most potential for interregional co-operation projects will have ideas related to the establishment of effective nets of co-operation, its design, implementation, organization, management, follow-up and assessment. Paterna states that local partnerships have to be strengthened through effective coordination between municipalities and regions on the one hand and with the socio-economic actors (business community and associations) on the other hand. This necessity arises due to a European urban system which increases competition between cities. Paterna expects that the strengthening of partnerships will increase efficiency and competitiveness of companies. An outcome of increased competitiveness has been the proposed Joint Declaration for the Development of Competitive Territories and the possibility of creating an European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), governed by the Rule (EC) nº 1082 of the European Parliament and Council, of 5th July 2006 as an instrument of cooperation at EU level. It allows future maintenance of partnership and provides and an institutional framework with full legal capacity. Likewise it allows the launching of either new territorial cooperation projects financed by the Community or allows the launching of other cooperative activities without Community financial intervention. Riga Planning Region sees one crucial prerequisite for future interregional cooperation in clustering of projects which are implemented in the same area or topic. One can so build on results and disseminate those better. Areas with the most potential for interregional cooperation are for Riga Planning Region renewable energy and alternative energy sources, small transportation networks (mobility and tourism), issues related to agglomeration, development of infrastructure of sub-urban areas and management and protection of the Baltic Sea Coast and internal waterfronts. As for Saxony-Anhalt regional strategies to adapt to the changing profile of human resources (depopulation, ageing, youth employment, etc.) will be also an important topic for the Riga Planning Region. The development of education and human resources based on regional development needs is another area of interest. Promotion of creative capital and innovation systems, integrated tourism routes and the improvement of infrastructure could also be interesting topics for future interregional cooperation projects.

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The Ministry of Economics of Latvia has expressed interest to cooperate during the coming years in certain branches of the manufacturing industry (food industry, mechanical engineering and metalworking, chemical industry, electrical and optical hardware production, transport and logistics, tourism, information and communication technologies). The Latvian Environmental Investment Fund identified the areas of environmentally friendly and energy efficient construction and financing mechanisms for further promotion of climate mitigation projects implementation as promising. Zemgale Planning Region (further ZPR) considers that the most potential for interregional co-operation projects will have in following topics: tourism development including crafts and arts internationalisation (partners from Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Greece), velo-tourism development (partners from Sweden, Finland and Estonia), support to employment initiatives and start up assistance, including enhancement of re-emigration to get a job in the native country (partners: Great Britain and Lithuanian); territorial planning issues (partners: Spain, Hungary, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania). ZPR expects exchange of knowledge on different issues, to learn from best examples abroad thus increasing personnel capacity of the organisation; achieving of better recognition internationally and maintaining contacts with previous partners. The coordination of institutions of support like the EU-service agencies should be improved to stimulate future cooperation of partners from the IPP regions. Eszak-Alföld has found a number of actors interesting for future cooperation i.e. the regional energy agency, ÉARDA, INNOVA, local municipalities, higher education institutions, creative enterprises, clusters and NGOs. Valencia stresses the importance of the IPP Cooperation IT Tool as a key instrument for the future development of interregional co-operation. It can serve for all regions to find new partners. It will also serve as a platform to share project ideas between the regions. The IPP Cooperation IT Tool has already been consulted by almost 139 users, from different countries; the IPP-tool has recorded a wide geographical distribution, going from EU members to overseas countries.

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In 2011 users from 11 countries have consulted or used the IPP Tool including the IPP partners but also other actors from the EU as well as China (see Graphics). For Valencia it is thus the key instrument for further development of cooperation. In Latvia entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations, associations and public institutions at national or regional level can be named as potential cooperation partners. Currently local companies and municipalities are implementing projects under Green investment scheme. They will have a unique experience in project implementation as well as for the analysis of results achieved. Key findings: - All regions stress the importance of new approaches and ideas for the future

development of interregional cooperation. They agree that there is a need to exchange lessons learned and best practices more effectively.

- For Saxony-Anhalt and Valencia the improvement of local economical power and

competitiveness is the principal advantage of interregional cooperation. - The Valencian region expects from interregional cooperation that it will help

Valencian economic actors to expand their markets and business networks. Implementing IPP projects mean thus a high quality support for their process of internationalisation. Valencia estimates that companies will create demand for human resources which would increase the degree of employment in the region.

- For Eszak-Alföld the results of interregional cooperation have to be tangible, also in

the short term. Interregional cooperation shall be shaped in such a way that is has concrete effects on regional policy.

- Riga Planning Region expects that the region will be more visible to investors and

tourists through internationalisation. Project results shall be disseminated on the local, regional and national level to foster positive developments.

- The Environmental Investment Fund, Ministry of Economics and local authorities in

Riga highlighted the opportunities to exchange new approaches and best practices in the future, another area of interest is the exchange of best practice examples for a more efficient networking, which will help to find the most suitable partners with a real motivation to develop and implement new and innovative projects. A promising example for such exchange could be the transfer of new and innovative technical solutions concerning environmental policy and protection.

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5. Final Remarks: The 2nd benchmark reports clearly shows that the IPP partners are moving towards a more strategic approach in supporting innovation and internationalisation. The main instruments for doing so are the integration of internationalisation in sectoral or horizontal policies as well as providing information and guidance for support internationalisation. Up to now only a limited number of joint benchmarks and success indicators are foreseen to measure and assess the effects of the initiatives taken. It is therefore recommended to take the following action: - Continue to develop the local regional partnerships in the IPP regions, - Develop a regional mapping of support actors, advice centres and main contacts on

supporting internationalisation, - Create an on-line inventory of these actors as part of the IT tool, - Connect the regional networks and clusters with similar or like-minded networks and cluster

in other IPP regions and - Create joint support services or instruments for internationalisation activities beyond the IPP

project. These points will be picked up by the third benchmark report which will be produced in the 3rd year of the IPP project. TW