Evaluation of Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS)
The European Commission, DG XVI, has published an invitation to tender concerning the ongoing evaluation of Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Commission intends to launch an ongoing evaluation of the Regional Innovation Strategy projects funded under Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund. These projects concern 20 regions in 12 Member States, of which a majority are located in regions eligible for support under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds. RIS are pilot actions intended to improve the institutional framework and know-how available to the policy-making process in less-favoured regions with respect to the promotion of innovation, particularly in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The ongoing evaluation will be composed of three specific tasks: - Evaluation of project management techniques through case studies of specific RIS projects; - Evaluation of methodological approaches and their application (case studies and comparative review of reports from all regions); - Recommendations on the future of RIS type initiatives financed under Article 10 or in the mainstream Structural Fund programmes. The contract will last for nine months. Tender documents may be obtained from: European Commission DG XVI - Regional policy and cohesion Unit A/2 200 rue de la Loi (CSM2 3/43) B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2958468; Fax +32-2-2962473 Completed tenders should be sent to: European Commission DG XVI - Regional policy and cohesion Unit A/2 200 rue de la Loi (CSM2 3/43) B-1049 Brussels