Politiche per i cluster e nuove sfide: l impegno regionale, nazionale e comunitario Monday, 14th January 2013. European cluster policies and approach to meta-cluster Paloma Lozano Gutiérrez European Programmes Area Madrid Network
Initial steps In 2006 the EU adopts a broad-based innovation strategy and identifies strengthening clusters in Europe as one of the nine strategic priorities for successfully promoting innovation. Commission Communication Putting knowledge into practice: A broad-based innovation strategy for the EU, COM(2006) 502 final. In 2008 the EC outlines a policy framework for action aiming to raise the level of excellence and openness of clusters. This includes: establishing a high-level European Cluster Policy Group expanding the policy dialogue fostering transnational cooperation between cluster organisations promoting excellence of cluster organisations develop an information service on clusters for enterprises Commission Communication: Towards world-class clusters in the European Union: Implementing the broad-based innovation strategy - COM(2008) 652 final/2 - SEC(2008) 2637 And further analyses the role and potential of clusters for competitiveness and innovation Commission Staff Working Document: the concept of clusters and cluster policies and their role for competitiveness and innovation: main statistical results and lessons learned - SEC (2008) 2637 2
Status overview I Industrial Innovation Policy - clusters as powerful engines of economic development and drivers of innovation in the European Union. Through DG Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR) the European Commission has implemented a set of actions aiming to raise the level of excellence and openness of clusters, including the following tools, instruments and information sources: The European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) The European Cluster Policy Group (ECPG) The European Cluster Observatory (ECO) The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) The European Cluster Alliance (ECA) 3
Status overview II Research and Technological Development - Within the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, FP7, the Regions of Knowledge (RoK) initiative under Capacities is specifically focused on clusters as direct beneficiaries, aiming to strengthen the research potential of European regions, in particular by encouraging and supporting the development, across Europe, of regional research-driven clusters, associating universities, research centres, enterprises and regional authorities. 126 million earmarked for FP7 (2007 2013). 10 published Calls for proposals No continuation expected for 2014-2020 4
Status overview III Regional Policy The European Territorial Co-operation objective, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supports cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation programmes. The EU Cohesion policy encourages regions and cities from different EU Member States to work together and learn from each other through joint programmes, projects and networks. In the period 2007-13 the European Territorial Co-operation objective covers three types of programmes: Cross-border co-operation programmes along internal EU borders. ERDF contribution: 5.6 billion. Transnational co-operation programmes cover larger areas of co-operation such as the Baltic Sea, Alpine and Mediterranean regions. ERDF contribution: 1.8 billion. The interregional co-operation programme (INTERREG IVC) and 3 networking programmes (Urbact II, Interact II and ESPON) cover all 27 Member States of the EU. 5
Current Trends World-class clusters Excellence Professionalisation Internationalisation (Clusters & SMEs) Open Innovation Smart Specialisation Instruments to foster competitiveness, innovation and SME internationalisation Balance between mature & emerging clusters Inter cluster activities and collaboration (joint action plans, funding common projects, etc) Better integrate EU, national and regional efforts and funding for the benefit of SMEs through clusters Closer cooperation with industry networks (e.g. Enterprise Europe Network, EEN - WG Clusters) 6
Current Trends An example An example of Inter-RoK Projects Cooperation Regions of Knowledge Call 2010 (FP7-REGIONS-2010-1) Health related economy - 7 projects approved Cooperation fostered by EC Networking & cooperation developed by project coordinators 2 common meetings in Brussels (March 2012 and November 2012) Common Plans: Common final meeting Joint Dissemination Event at Open Days 2012 Joint Action Plans: RIS3, common initiatives, synergies, common funding for joint projects, etc. Joint Advisory Council (structure to maintain contact and collaboration) + Meta-cluster (???): these 7 projects bring together 38 health clusters in Europe 7
New Approach New approach outlined in the Vienna Cluster Manifesto, presented at the European Cluster Conference 2012 Vienna 19 April 2012: Training European Foundation on Clusters and Competitiven ess (from ECEI) European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (from ECEI) Benchmarking & Certification Process, Quality Label Internationalisation Cooperation & Networking with other clusters Memoranda of Understanding European Cluster Association (from ECCP) European Cluster Observatory Statistical analysis Information 8
Smart Specialisation Strategies The concept RIS3 Guide: A national/regional research and innovation strategy for smart specialisation can be seen as an economic transformation agenda based on four general principles summarised in four 'Cs : The 4 Cs of Smart Specialisation: 1.Choices and Critical mass 2.Competitive Advantage 3.Connectivity and Clusters 4.Collaborative Leadership Other Definitions: an entrepreneurial process to discover the research and innovation domains in which a region can hope to excel. Dominique Foray et al., Knowledge Economists Policy Brief n 9, June 20099,June2009 a dynamic strategic process where regions and Member States identify their long-term competitive advantages based on local strenghts, and define those actions that can lead them to maintain and/or create their competitive position. Innovation Union Competitiveness Report 2011 In short: Concentrating resources on key priorities and development opportunities 9
Smart Specialisation Strategies Process Six-step approach to RIS3: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Analysis of the regional context and potential for innovation, Set up of a sound and inclusive governance structure, Production of a shared vision about the future of the region, Selection of a limited number of priorities for regional development, Establishment of suitable policy mixes, Integration of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. 10
Smart Specialisation Strategies Clusters & RIS3 Regional Policy contributing to smart growth in Europe 2020 - COM(2010) 553 final - SEC(2010) 1183: Clusters (...) are an important element in smart specialisation strategies. They provide a favourable environment to foster competitiveness and drive innovation. Support for their development needs to be concentrated on areas of comparative advantage. RIS3Guide Annex II: Delivery Instruments and Horizontal Approaches: Clusters and smart specialisation Clusters have an important role both in the design and in the implementation phase of RIS3: In the design phase: identify the industrial strenghts and assets in a region, contribute to set strategic priorities and make the right political decisions. In the implementation phase: efficient platforms that can focus on and quickly contribute to S3 objectives. 3x3 approach: 1. Using cluster mapping to identify regional competences and assets. 2. Support clusters to meet the objectives of smart specialisation. 3. Strenghten local and international cluster cooperation, in particular for addressing emerging industries. 11
12 Further Reading The RIS3 Guide: Guide on regional/national Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS³) http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/s3pguide The Vienna Cluster Manifesto Using Excellent Clusters to Strengthen and Restructure EU Industry http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newsroom/cf/_getdocument.cfm?doc_id=7456 ECA TACTICS Handbooks and Guides: http://www.eca-tactics.eu/page/tactics-final-reports Position paper Integrating cluster policies within the future EU programmes http://www.eca-tactics.eu/eca/page/results-publications ECPG preliminary Policy Recommendations on Creating Better Synergies between Community Instruments for Cluster Excellence http://www.proinno-europe.eu/repository/preliminary-policyrecommendations
Thank you for your attention Paloma Lozano Gutiérrez European Programmes Area Madrid Network paloma.lozano@madridnetwork.org www.madridnetwork.org 13