support of clusters, cluster initiatives and innovation in ... · support of clusters, cluster...

Support of clusters, cluster initiatives and innovation

in Banska Bystrica Region

Elena StierankováBIOCLUS workshop, Bratislava, 23.09.2010

Banska Bystrica Self-governing Region

� Strategic location in the heart of Europe


Basic facts:�Capital: Banská Bystrica�Area: 9 454,4 km2 (19,3% of the total area of Slovakia)�Agriculture land area: 417,6 thous. ha

(of which 40% is arable land)�Forest land area: 462,8 thous. ha

(23% of forest land of Slovakia)�Population: 653 697* (12,1% of population of Slovakia)�Population density: 69,81 inhabitants per km2

�Municipalities: 516 (of which 24 are towns)

* 31.12. 2008


Economical facts:�Number of economically active population: 313 673*�Unemployment rate:19,19% (Slovakia 12,66%)*�Regional GDP per capita (in 2006):

�in EUR, in current prices: 6 103�in PPS, current prices: 11 083�in PPS per capita as % of the EU 27 average: 46,9

�Share of region in the SR in 2006 (%)�Gross value added, current prices: 9,0

Main sectors: metallurgy, engineering, wood-processing, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, glass and ceramic industry, food-processing, ICT and tourism.

*31.12.2009


Nature and tourism:�3 national parks, many natural reservations and

protected areas, biospheric reservation Poľana�Great potential for winter and summer tourism

(mountain ski resorts, swimming pools with thermal water, caves, aquaparks, spas, castles, museums, etc.)

�Agrotourism

Present situation in Slovakia - innovation

� National Lisbon Strategy� National Innovation Policy for 2008-2010 � National Strategic Reference Framework for 2007 -2013� OP Science and Research� OP Competitiveness and Economic Growth� OP Education � Regional innovation strategies – all regions

Present situation in Slovakia - clusters

� No support mechanisms for clusters on national level available (no financial tools, no supporting programmes, no legislation,....)

� Clusters are not eligible to apply for Structural Funds� Only few clusters officially established� Bottom-up initiatives with support of regional authorities

and/or municipalities � Clusters are usually financed from membership fees and

international programmes (Interreg, CE, SEE, etc.)

Clusters in Slovakia

� Automotive cluster – Western Slovakia (Trnava)� 1st Slovak Engineering Cluster (BBSK, Detva)� Electronic cluster – Western Slovakia (Trnava)� Slovak Plastic Cluster (Nitra)� Z@ict Žilina� Košice IT Valley� Balnea Cluster Dudince (spa, wellness, tourism)� Cluster LIPTOV (tourism, Liptovský Mikuláš)� Cluster Turiec (tourism, Martin)� Cluster ORAVA (tourism, Dolný Kubín)� Tourism cluster – West Slovakia (Trnava)� BITERAP cluster (IT, Košice)� Cluster AT+R (robotics, Košice)� Energy Cluster West Slovakia (Trnava)

Clusters in Slovakia

Klaster AT+R

Support of innovation in Banska Bystrica Region

� Innovation – one of the main tools for regional development

� Regional Programme for economic, social and cultural development

� Regional Innovation Strategy of Banska Bystrica Region�Project co-financed from 6th Framework Programme�Acronym: BaBy RIS�1st June 2005 – 31st January 2008�Supported by the Commission through the IRE Network

Regional Innovation Strategy of Banska Bystrica Region

Regional Innovation Strategy of Banska Bystrica Regionis long term strategic document, approved by the Assembly

of Banska Bystrica Self-governing region (regional parliament) on 18th October 2007.

Main aim of the strategy:

To create conditions for innovation to become the main tool for development of Banska Bystrica

Region.

BaBy RIS


� Experience from partner´s regions and regional analysis performed during RIS project → collaboration of all innovation players in the region is crucial for innovation →support of partnerships, networks and clusters

� Support of clusters - one of the measures of BaBy RIS

BaBy RIS


BaBy RIS

Pilot actions

Pilot actions of Regional Innovation Strategy of Banska Bystrica Region:� Leaflet about intellectual property rights and their protection� Database of experts of Banska Bystrica Region according to

industry sectors� Innovation award „Krištá ľový Merkúr “

Annual award in cooperation with Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 3 categories:

- Product innovation- Technological innovation- Innovation in management and marketing

BaBy RIS

Pilot projects to support innovation and clusters

International projects realised within programmes of interregional cooperation:

CLOE – Cluster Linked over Europe

ERIK ACTION – Upgrading the Innovation Capacity of Existing Enterprises

CLOE – Clusters Linked over Europe

� Interreg IIIC project (July 2004 – March 2008)� BBSK joined in July 2007� Initially 8 project partners: Karlsruhe (coordinator),

Kaliningrad, Linz, Lyon, Tartu, Timisoara, Nottingham and Wärmland

� Project was focused on:�exchange of experiences on cluster methodologies,

tools and procedures�elaboration of Cluster Management Guide�improvement of cooperation among companies�creation of European cluster network


� In July 2007 additional financing from the Commission� Project consortium was extended - BBSK, Ostrava (2

partners), Sofia, West Pannon, Maribor and Gorenjska(Slovenia) and Vilnius (Lithuania)

� Main activities:�Thematic workshops, study visits in clusters and

companies �Action plans for development of clusters for each

partner region


Main benefits for BBSK:� 4 study visits in partners regions for potential

members/managers of clusters in BBSK: Ostrava, Linz, Värmland and Karlsruhe + one visit from Vilnius in BBSK

� Action plan for development of clusters in BBSK� Identification of potential clusters: engineering and wood-

processing industry, IT, glass and ceramics, metallurgy and tourism.

� First cluster initiatives were launched � International cooperation

Clusters in BBSK

Establishment of first clusters in BBSK (in 2008):

1. Slovak Engineering Cluster

Balnea cluster Dudince

Cluster initiatives in BBSK

Ongoing cluster initiatives in BBSK:� wood-processing industry (Banská Bystrica/Zvolen)� glass industry (Poltár) � metallurgy (Žiar nad Hronom)

ERIK ACTION project

Project focus on streamlining of regional development policies in the area of innovation and knowledge

economy and onincreasing of innovation capacity of existing

entrepreneurs.

ERIK ACTION project

� Capitalisation project co-financed from Interreg IVC programme

� „Fast Track“ project � Based on 4-year experience of the ERIK network � Duration: July 2008 – June 2010� Partners: Tuscany (coordinator), Lower Austria, Emilia-

Romagna, Alentejo, Andalusia, Bretagne, Flanders, South East Romania, South Sweden, West Macedonia and Banska Bystrica Region

ERIK ACTION project

Main activities:� transfer of good practices that support innovative

capacity of entrepreneurs identified within the ERIK network into the other partner regions

� thematic workshops, study visits� trainings for small and medium sized entrepreneurs� elaboration of regional action plans for transfer of good

practices

ERIK ACTION project

Action plans for transfer of good practices to BanskaBystrica Region:

• Innovation Assistant (Lower Austria)• Innovation in wood-processing industry (West

Macedonia)• HeliceNet – support of technology transfer in SME´s

(Andalusia)• Trainee in TIME – employment of university graduates in

small and medium sized entrepreneurs (South Sweden)

Project „Support of innovation activities in Banska Bystrica Region“

Project focused on developing of strategies in 5 priority areas defined by National Innovation Policy

of the Slovak republic, trainings and educational activities for entrepreneurs and establishment of Regional Innovation Centre .


� Project funded from European Social Fund – OP Employment and Social Inclusion

� Starting 1st January 2011� Duration: 3 years� Budget: 699.600 EUR (95% from ESF)� Focused on:

�education �strategies �establishment of Regional Innovation Centre


� Regional Innovation Centre � 5 priority areas according to the National Innovation Policy

of Slovak republic for 2008-10:�wood-processing industry�renewable energy sources�ecology and environment �working machines, devices and systems �metallurgy of light metals

Future support of innovationin Banska Bystrica Region

Planned activities for 2010 and 2011:� Creation of regional innovation web portal� Organisation of seminars and conferences

� Young entrepreneurs� Clusters � R&D and innovation

� Information booklets focused on innovation, clusters and young entrepreneurs

� Co-operation with foreign regions and partners (e.g. organisation of matchmaking events for entrepreneurs)

� Participation in international projects (Interreg IVC, Central Europe, South-East Europe, 7FP, CIP, etc.)

Future support of clustersin Banska Bystrica Region

� support of existing clusters�methodological and personal support�financial support (membership fees, loans)�projects

� initiating of new clusters� establishment of Regional Innovation Centre

(responsible for support and coordination of clusters and cluster initiatives)

� lobbing for support on national level

Thank you for your attention!

Elena StierankováTel. +421 48 4325 132

[email protected]

Regional Development Department The Office of Banská Bystrica Self-governing Region

Námestie SNP 23, 974 01 Banská BystricaSlovakia

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