NORRIS project a pilot for cross-border regional innovation strategies
A key theme at the Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) plenary conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 7 and 8 June was the need to introduce more of a trans-regional element into innovation policy making, creating a cycle of continuous learning for the benefit of all. The current reality, however, is that most regional innovation activities have focused on single regions, and thus practical experience of launching and managing such cross-border initiatives is in short supply. However, it is hoped that a new project unveiled at the conference will become a pioneer in this respect, as one of the first to develop a regional innovation strategy (RIS) for two regions in different EU Member States. The NORRIS project focuses on the regions of North Hungary and Kosice in Eastern Slovakia. The consortium also includes partners from Austria and Spain with previous experience in creating their own RIS projects, who will provide guidance and advice to the two principle partners. CORDIS News spoke to Kalocsai Kornél, the project coordinator from the Regional Development Agency of North Hungary (NORDA), and asked why he and his partners had opted for a cross-border approach. Mr Kalocsai accepted that this approach is more complex, but said that it grew out of the strong economic, social and political links between the two regions. 'We already have a number of other joint projects between the two regions, and an agreement to launch further joint activities where appropriate,' he said. Presenting the NORRIS project to the conference, project partner Jozsa Viktoria, also from NORDA, told delegates that the common approach had grown out of the common problems facing each region and the need to find joint solutions. 'We have many common economic challenges, for example, such as a tradition of heavy industry, high unemployment, and a need to transition to a knowledge-based economy,' Ms Jozsa said. The partners will use the standard RIS methodology developed by the IRE network over a number of years, and believe that they can complete the project within the standard 36-month timeframe, although they will require more funding than traditional single-region initiatives. The questionnaires that will be sent out to innovation stakeholders in both regions to develop the RIS will be similar, although they will take into account certain regional specificities in order to allow comparative analysis. One of the main challenges in extracting full benefit from any type of RIS exercise is ensuring that once the strategy is defined, it doesn't simply collect dust on policy makers' desks, but is put into practice. CORDIS News put this point to Mr Kalocsai, but he said that he does not see this as a big risk in this case. 'We've learned the importance of communicating at the political level to achieve support for the initiative,' he said, adding that North Hungary is currently also in the process of elaborating a wider regional development plan, which he hopes will provide added impetus when it comes to implementing the strategy. Mr Kalocsai highlighted the importance of having the two partners from Spain and Austria in the consortium. 'They are experienced in RIS projects. For example, they advise us on how to present information to the EU - and the press!' he added. As well as such 'soft skills', their partners have also helped with more practical issues, such as formulating a detailed and workable methodology for the RIS project on the basis of the Commission's general guidelines. CORDIS News spoke to a representative of the Spanish partner at the conference, Alfredo Sandovar from CARTIF in Valladolid, and asked him exactly how the other partners could benefit from their experience in other RIS projects. 'It's more strategic guidance than specific 'action items',' he said. 'We can give advice on how to better focus a project - its structure, critical points etc. One of our particular strengths is how to better communicate with SMEs [small and medium sized enterprises], as 98 per cent of companies in Castilla Leon fall into this category.' Having already undertaken two RIS projects in his own region, Mr Sandovar and his colleagues have built up valuable knowledge on the tools and programmes available at EU level, which they can pass on to their partners in North Hungary and Kosice. However, it is not just a case of the experienced helping the newcomers, he stressed. 'In order to share our knowledge we first have to clarify our own ideas, performing self analysis, mapping processes, contacts, barriers and mistakes, which is of great benefit.' Turning to other topics under discussion at the conference, CORDIS News asked Mr Sandovar for his assessment of the Commission's current and future policies towards regional innovation, and where improvements could be made. 'The policies are OK, although it is always desirable to have more funds,' he said. One area where he would like to see an improvement is in the number of project officers within the Commission, to allow for a more active engagement with projects such as NORRIS 'in order to address the inevitable problems that occur and provide political guidance'. On the overall direction of EU innovation policy, however, Mr Sandovar said that he believes in the central concept of mutual continuous learning, and in initiatives aimed at introducing regional benchmarking and indicators. He concluded by saying: 'For the first time, the Commission and other policy makers are really becoming part of the regional innovation fabric, so I am very hopeful for the future.'
Countries
Austria, Spain, Hungary, Slovakia