On Tuesday 18 July, the European Commission announced the launch of two pilot projects at the end of 2017, as part of the smart specialisation strategies. The aim: enhancing innovation in less developed regions as well as encouraging industrial transition and inter-regional investment in innovation. The underlying goal of this initiative is to map out future possibilities for post-2020 cohesion policy.
These two projects aim to support the regions and their competitiveness and resilience in a context of globalisation, explained Commissioners Jyrki Katainen (Employment and Growth) and Corina Creţu (Regional Policy), during a press conference. These two pilot projects will particularly help the reflection exercise involving future cohesion policy, as Mr Katainen confirmed to EUROPE. The Commissioner also said that he considered these strategies as “part” of the solution to tackle likely future budget cuts.
Therefore, the first action targeting the less developed regions or those in transition is expected to be operational by the end of this year. This project is expected to involve a limited number of selected regions that have already expressed their wish to work on industrial transition as part of the specialisation strategies.
In a communication published the same day, the Commission explains that its aim is to facilitate, by way of providing appropriate assistance, the combined use of Community instruments/programmes, as well as cohesion policy, in an effort to strengthen innovation and adapt workers to industrial and societal changes.
The selection of the candidate regions will take place in September 2017 and dedicated regional support groups will be set up at the beginning of 2018 within the European Commission. Follow-up will be undertaken with the European Observatory for Clusters and Industrial Change and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). The Commission has launched two to pilot initiatives to provide personal support for regions lagging behind in Poland (see EUROPE 11799).
Interregional thematic partnerships
The second initiative seeks to set up thematic and interregional partnerships in a limited number of test regions in the innovation domain. The Commission would like to expand the inter-regional innovation projects as a means to develop the European assessment chain by way of providing appropriate technical assistance.
To achieve this aim, the European Commission would like to use the thematic smart specialisation platforms already in place, namely, the: industrial modernisation platform (dedicated to sustainable industry, the bio-economy, 3-D printing, medical technologies, innovative textiles, 4.0 industry, sport and nano-products); the energy platform (bio-energy, renewable marine energy, smart networks, solar power, sustainable buildings); and finally, the agri-food platform.
One source explained to us that these platforms will provide coordination for these partnerships as well as additional aid to the regions. Our source also said that creating new platforms in the future based on what is needed, is not being ruled out either. In this connection, the European Council Commission is planning on 5 to 10 thematic partnerships.
These two projects will receive the funding allocated for technical assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the tune of €1 million respectively. The Commission explained in a document annexed to the communication that the objective is to learn the lessons for the next post-2020 multiannual financial framework.
Another source close to the dossier explained to us that smart specialisation strategies are just beginning to take off at the European Commission. At the Cabinet of Vice President Katainen, we can already witness ways of rationalising and increasing the efficiency of structural and investment funds. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)