Contest for the Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region Award „i-Wielkopolska"
Published on 07 June 2019
Poland
Wielkopolskie
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The aim of the contest is to promote regional enterprises which created innovative products/services and implemented them in practice and solutions (category "H₂ Wielkopolska"). There are 2 categories: 1) smart specializations in Wielkopolska („Bioresources and food for awarened consuments”, „Interiors of future”, „Industry of tomorrow”, „Specialized logistic processes”, „Development base on ICT”, „Modern medical technologies”) and 2) category "H₂ Wielkopolska" to promote solutions aimed at building a society of the future based on modern hydrogen technologies. The aim of the contest is to promote innovative companies, smart specialisations and build the Wielkopolska Brand.
Involved entities: companies from the Wielkopolska region, representatives of the science sector, business support institutions, representatives of the regional parliament, hydrogen platform.
Involved entities: companies from the Wielkopolska region, representatives of the science sector, business support institutions, representatives of the regional parliament, hydrogen platform.
Expert opinion
The good practice is a competition to award and to promote innovative products and services in RIS3 priority areas, namely bioresources and agri-food, Industry 4.0, logistics, ICT, medical technologies, and hydrogen… The prize is a promotional communication campaign consisting of a promotional video, press releases, customised communication materials.
Some insights from the good practice:
-Competitions can foster interesting dynamics such as (1) to communicate on regional opportunities in RIS3 priority sectors, (2) to rally a wide range of stakeholders around common RIS3 challenges, (3) to reward innovators and give them visibility as aspiration leaders for other stakeholders in the region.
-The contest not only give visibility to the participants but also communicate on the regional RIS3 priorities and on potential opportunities in RIS3 priorities.
-The award committee must consist of triple/quadruple helix stakeholders that are well-established and well-respected in the region.
-In addition to communication campaigns and visibility, awards can be innovation vouchers to promote innovative and research activities.
Some insights from the good practice:
-Competitions can foster interesting dynamics such as (1) to communicate on regional opportunities in RIS3 priority sectors, (2) to rally a wide range of stakeholders around common RIS3 challenges, (3) to reward innovators and give them visibility as aspiration leaders for other stakeholders in the region.
-The contest not only give visibility to the participants but also communicate on the regional RIS3 priorities and on potential opportunities in RIS3 priorities.
-The award committee must consist of triple/quadruple helix stakeholders that are well-established and well-respected in the region.
-In addition to communication campaigns and visibility, awards can be innovation vouchers to promote innovative and research activities.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The estimated budget - EUR 50 000. The budget includes the value of the prizes, a film promoting the companies and its broadcasting, statuettes and diplomas, the costs of the campaign promoting the contest in mass media. Team organising the contest: 2 employees.
Evidence of success
Although the number of applications is not impressive (in years 2016-2018 – 90 ), new companies are applying to the contest, expanding the circle of entities promoted through smart specialisations to the benefit of the positive image of the region. The contest indirectly selects companies that are involved in other activities of the owner of good practice increasing their innovativeness, such as international fairs, forum for smart specializations, conferences.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice could inspire regional and local authorities to reward efforts of entrepreneurs in their RIS3 priority areas. The contest is a chance to gain a prestigious award as well as resources for international promotion of the company's products. However, the idea of this contest also creates an opportunity for regional and local authorities to promote the idea of Smart Specialization on the local level, by awarding local entrepreneurs in specific priority areas. Furthermore, the award committee consists of representatives of business, academia and local authorities, which seems like an effective way to encourage the triple helix cooperation.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Marshal Office of the Wielkopolska Region in Poznan
Poland
Wielkopolskie