enterprise directorate general european commission innovating regions in europe (ire) network and...
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Enterprise Directorate General
European Commission
Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) :and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) :
regional tools for promoting innovation regional tools for promoting innovation and transnational technology transferand transnational technology transfer
Thessaloniki, 16-17 May 2002
Yannis TSILIBARIS
Head of Sector Networks and Technology Transfer
Enterprise Directorate-General, Innovation Directorate
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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IREs/bi-annual conference
• Two years ago, a very successful meeting in Escorial, Madrid
• This year, in Stratford-Upon-Avon
17-18 June 2002
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The IRC Network
European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation
Objectives, missions, achievements
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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.
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IRC Network : A springboard for technology co-operation
ObjectiveEnhance 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
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IRC Network : where do IRCs operate ?
IRCsIRCs
FACILITATE TRANSNATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS
Assist inconcluding
TT agreements
Identify local technology offers and demands
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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
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IRC support servicesSTEP 1 MAKING CONTACT
COMPANY VISITTECHNOLOGY AUDIT
STEP 2
TECHNOLOGY OFFERTECHNOLOGY NEED
IDENTIFY TECHNOLOGY PROFILES
STEP 3
VIA THE NETWORK
VIA BROKERAGE
EVENTS
VIA SME MISSIONS
FINDING EUROPEAN PARTNERS
STEP 4 OFFERING SUPPORT
ON HOW TO DRAFT TECHNOLOGY EXPLOITATION PLAN, etc
ADVISE ON INNOVATION FINANCING, ON IPR,
STEP 5 ASSISTANCE WITH CONTRACT NEGOCIATIONS
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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
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Types of reported partnerships
• 55% Technical cooperation
• 23% Commercial with Technical assistance
• 13% Licensing
• 6% Manufacturing
• 3% Joint venture
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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
Achievements