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European Commission. Enterprise Directorate General. Thessaloniki, 16-17 May 2002. Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) : regional tools for promoting innovation and transnational technology transfer. Yannis TSILIBARIS
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European Commission Enterprise Directorate General Thessaloniki, 16-17 May 2002 Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) : regional tools for promoting innovation and transnational technology transfer Yannis TSILIBARIS Head of Sector Networks and Technology Transfer Enterprise Directorate-General, Innovation Directorate
IREs and IRCs : regional tools for innovation and technology transfer • Two European tools, run by Enterprise DG / Innovation Programme, with : • strong presence in the regions • formulation of appropriate innovation strategies • innovation & transnational technology transfer services provision • exchange of experiences & best practices • European networking
Innovating Regions in Europe (IREs) :What is the network about ? • More than 100 regions and a considerable number of regional actors working together in a full-grown network, in order to : • exchange ideas, experiences & good practices, • develop transnational co-operation projects and • offer a pool of expertise for guidance of policy makers in the innovation domain
IREs : Instruments The instruments which helped to establish, consolidate and expand the IRE network are : • The RITTS / RIS projects (DG ENTR/DG REGIO) • The IRE Thematic networks • The IRE Central Assistance Unit, and • The IRE bi-annual conference
IREs / RITTS / RIS (scheme) • 24 - 36 months projects supporting the regions : • to develop a regional innovation strategy • to integrate innovation & TT in their economic development • to stimulate innovation among SMEs, and • to develop an innovation culture & an innovation community • extended recently to NAC countries (16 new projects)
IREs / RITTS / RIS project • Phase 1 • Mobilization of actors through appropriate awareness campaigns, consensus building • Phase 2 • Analysis of needs within the region (field work amongst the actors concerned) • Phase 3 • Findings and recommendations leading to the establishment of a regional innovation action plan
IREs / RITTS / RIS principles The work under the RITTS/RIS scheme must follow certain principles : • a bottom-up approach • a broad mobilization of regional actors • building a consensus at regional level • a need for strategic thinking
IREs / RITTS / RIS achievements • Starting point to develop, for the first time ever, an innovation policy at regional level • Helped to widen the concept of innovation & strengthen its position within the regional policy agenda • Have focussed regional public authorities in better addressing the needs of the business community, • but most of all : • Created a mobilization around common target / consensus building / regional dialogue
IREs/Thematic networks • interregional fora dealing with topics of common interest • bringing together policy makers, facing common problems and innovation challenges • diffusing good practices in the development and implementation of regional innovation strategies
IREs/Central Assistance Unit A central secretariat for the IRE network • organising seminars and workshops • offering the meeting point for the regions to share experience and draw lessons • running the IRE website • publishing regular newsletters with networking opportunities and IRE achievements
IREs/bi-annual conference • Two years ago, a very successful meeting in Escorial, Madrid • This year, in Stratford-Upon-Avon 17-18 June 2002
The IRC Network European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation Objectives, missions, achievements
Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) • Selected through an open call for proposals for a 4-year period (2000 - 2004) • 68 IRCs operating in well defined geographical areas in 31 countries • IRCs are hosted by: Technology Institutes, Regional Development Agencies, Innovation Agencies, Technology transfer centers, Chambers of Commerce, etc.
IRC Network : A springboard for technology co-operation Objective Enhance the competitiveness of businesses in Europe through: • Supporting transnational technology transfer according to the specific needs of local industries • Promoting technology co-operation between European enterprises, and • Facilitating the access of SMEs to RTD results
IRCs FACILITATE TRANSNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS Assist in concluding TT agreements IRC Network :where do IRCs operate ? Identify local technology offers and demands
IRCs : main activities at a glace Inward technology transfer services • Identification of local needs • Search for technology suppliers in the network • Assistance in the negotiation and implementation phases Outward technology transfer services • Identification of new technologies from local suppliers • Technology promotion in the network • Assistance in the negotiation and implementation phases
IRC instruments to achieve TTT • IRC Intranet website, with information on the network activities: technology offers/requests database, calendar of events, success stories, news, thematic groups • Thematic groups for IRCs focusing on industrial sectors: agrofood, automotive, environmental technology, electronic, biotechnology, materials… • Organisation of common events: brokerage events, investment fora, etc • Organisation of visits between SMEs • IRC staff exchanges • Exchange of good practices and training
Types of reportedpartnerships • 55% Technical cooperation • 23% Commercial with Technical assistance • 13% Licensing • 6% Manufacturing • 3% Joint venture
Achievements Key figures first year of current phase • Clients base: ~ 85.000 • Clients assisted: ~ 15.000 • Company visits: ~ 5. 500 • Negotiations started: ~ 4.000 • Reported TTT agreements: 135
For more information... • Have a look at our IRE public website : http://www.innovating-regions.org • Have a look at our IRC public website : http://www.cordis.lu/irc/home.html