The future cohesion policy: clusters as critical instruments

to implement smart specialisation

Claus Schultze, Policy Analyst, European Commission, DG REGIO, claus.schultze@ec.europa.eu

TACTICS workshop21 June Brussels

1. Fragmentation and duplication of public investments for R&D and innovation within and across regions

2. Lack of critical masses for innovation activities in regions

3. Lack of cooperation between knowledge economy actors: science, business, administration, social partners, creative individuals…

4. Missed opportunities in cross-border innovation (policies)

5. Priority choices driven by pressure from lobbies - short political cycles - weak strategic approaches - short term views

6. Gap between policy documents and policy mixes – inertia

7. Insufficient drive, immature tools for outcome-driven policies

Responding to shortcomingsResponding to shortcomings in regional innovation policiesin regional innovation policies

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Source: http://www.slideshare.net/ClusterExcellence/02-ketels-emerging-industriesday-2ecc-2012

Smart Specialisation ?Smart Specialisation ?

From smart specialisation to RIS3From smart specialisation to RIS3= ex-ante conditionality for smart use of SF in the future SF programming period 2014-2020: strengthening RTD/innovation and increasing access to ICT and its use ≠ Operational Programme

To meet the ex-ante conditionality (ERDF and EAFRD):Based on SWOT analysis (including ICT)Concentrate resources on a limited set of prioritiesEncourages private investment in RTDMonitoring and review systemChapter on digital growth: balance of support to the demand and supply of ICT technologies; objectives "e-"

+ derived from the NRPs: national level multi-annual plan for budgeting and prioritisation of investments linked to EU priorities.

Cohesion Policy

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Cohesion Policy

SF 2014-2020: Thematic objectivesSF 2014-2020: Thematic objectives1. Research and innovation2. Information and Communication Technologies3. Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

(SME)4. Shift to a low-carbon economy5. Climate change adaptation and risk management and prevention6. Environmental protection and resource efficiency7. Sustainable transport and disposal of congestion on major

network infrastructure8. Employment and support for labour mobility9. Social inclusion and poverty reduction10. Education, skills and lifelong learning11. Increased institutional capacity and effectiveness of public

administration

https://community.oecd.org/community/smartspecialisation

Example: Finnland

Example: Berlin/Brandenburg

Source: Eurada - "No-Nonsense" Guide to build S³-minded Regions

• “Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It's not about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you get it.”

• Steve Jobs