RIS/RITTS - new website on regional innovation strategies
The European Union's actions for 'Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer Strategies' (RITTS), 'Regional Innovation Strategies' (RIS) and Trans-regional Innovation projects are collaborating to develop a fast and effective way to follow the life of the network via the Internet. The RITTS/RIS Web service can be found at: http://www.innovating-regions.org(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) and has now been updated to provide more user-friendly access to information about events and an on-line library. This includes documents concerning RITTS/RIS methodology, SMEs needs analysis, and innovation supply analysis, for example. The Web service also includes a 'who's who' of contacts in the network and access to news on innovation in the regions. The site is also designed to be interactive, so that users can ask questions at any time during their visit, or click on links to other webpages containing useful, related information. The RITTS/RIS actions are part of the strategy of the EU's Innovation and participation of SMEs programme to develop opportunities for regional authorities, in partnership with innovative organisations. These actions are based on a common understanding on the drivers and barriers to innovation. Over one hundred regions now participate in the network of innovating regions in Europe, following the launch of the first RITTS/RIS projects in 1994 on a trial basis. Following their success, the Innovation programme launched another 40 RITTS/RIS projects in 1996. In 1999, 34 new RITTS/RIS projects are starting along with 11 Trans-regional Innovation projects.