Regions of Knowledge 2

Background to the action

European regions have an important role to play in the creation of the European Research Area (ERA) by enhancing their endogenous research potential and through networking at a trans-national level. European regions represent one of the key stakeholders that can, through a number of direct and indirect measures, contribute to stimulation of European research and to the fulfilment of Barcelona targets of 3 % of GDP for research and development. Furthermore, European regions that invest in RTD and innovation tend to achieve higher economic performance which clearly demonstrates the need for a greater involvement of a wider number of regions and regional actors in the activities aimed at stimulating the creation of knowledge-based economy. Although the regions in Europe represent a very heterogeneous group in terms of R&D characteristics and needs, they all share the need for guidance in their research and technology policies, for the exchange of information and experience, for benchmarking and application of prospective studies in order to make informed policy decisions.

Because of the considerable success of the Pilot Action on "Regions of Knowledge" initiated by the European Parliament in 2003, it has been envisaged to have a similar activity (Regions of Knowledge 2) "embedded" in the Specific Programme 1 Integrating and Strengthening the ERA but focusing on the Barcelona targets. The Regions of Knowledge Pilot Action provided support for application of foresight to policy making, greater involvement of universities in regional development, and for mentoring and exchange of experience in research and innovation. Whereas under this call support will be given to trans-national, trans-regional collaborative projects focusing on the RTD policy-making and investment strategy at regional level. The Regions of Knowledge 2 will address more specific issues regarding RTD investment at regional level aiming also on spreading and further increasing outreach of existing regional RTD initiatives. Moreover, a greater importance will be given to exchange of experience among supported projects and, for this an intensive interaction is foreseen with the IRE network as a basis for mutual learning.

Objectives of the actions

The aim of the projects is to promote increased and better regional investment in research through mutual learning, coordination and collaboration between regional policies and initiatives. Projects should include activities in at least one of the following areas, or a combination of these:

• Analysis of regional RTD performance as well as analysis of bottlenecks and other factors limiting greater R&D investment (e.g. lack of cooperation and trust between research and business communities, low business density and lack of demand for R&D results, absence of political awareness at regional level etc.); analysis of relative success of earlier regional RTD instruments implemented at regional level; integrating R&D investment into local and regional development strategies (e.g. organisation of round tables with the aim of identifying and overcoming the barriers between regional partners, creating regional partnerships for improved RTD performance and greater RTD investment etc.)
• Application of foresight and, more generally, prospective and intelligence methods for identification of R&D policy priorities at regional level, use of benchmarking, networking and other activities providing evaluation of trends and subsequent guidance to policy makers in RTD matters.
• Mentoring in the field of implementing R&T policy, exchange of experience and exchange of personnel with the aim to introduce new (or improve existing) regional level policy instruments for stimulation of R&D investment.

The above list of activities is not exhaustive and additional activities may be proposed. However, the focus should remain on the development of regional dimension of RTD policy and the issue of RTD investment at regional level. In policy terms, the actions pertinent to the following topics and themes are particularly welcome:

• better integration and coordination between private and public RTD investment and complementarities of RTD infrastructures
• governance of RTD policy at regional level, including the issue of competence of regional level in RTD policy and interaction / complementarities with national level
• better and more efficient use of Structural Funds in supporting RTD investment

The actions can focus either on a particular thematic area of RTD (e.g. biotechnology, environmental technology, particular type of industrial technology etc.). However, they should be primarily policy-driven and should address more general aspects of RTD policy in the participating regions rather than dealing too narrowly with a specific technological issue.