Gabrovo Smart Specialization Strategy 2021
About this good practice
Gabrovo S3 goal is to support the economic transformation of Gabrovo by focusing on high-tech industries and knowledge-intensive services, cooperation of local business with educational institutions and digitalization. Gabrovo S3 is also integrated within the Plan for Integrated Development of Gabrovo Municipality 2021-2027.
The National Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization 2021-2027 (ISIS 2021-2027) positions Gabrovo in three priority areas - 1) Mechatronics, 2) Informatics and ICT and 3) Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy. Gabrovo S3 focuses on machinery and metal products in manufacturing and information technologies and services in the digital area.
Main areas of Gabrovo S3:
1) Industry and Innovation ā promoting the development of the local economy, with a focus on high-tech industries and knowledge-intensive services, investment in technical and business infrastructure and improving the innovation environment;
2) Science and education ā cooperation of local business with educational institutions, with a focus on training and recruitment, investment in scientific infrastructure and technology transfer, close cooperation between public science and technology units and local companies;
3) Digitalization ā digital transformation of the industry, development of Gabrovo as a "smart city", increasing the efficiency of the administration, improving management processes and strengthening partnerships with citizens and businesses
Resources needed
Gabrovo S3 has the institutional support by the local parliament and can step on the financial instruments of the Plan for Integrated Development. The S3 can also benefit from the creation of a instrument for support of SMEs on a local level.
Evidence of success
Gabrovo S3 has clearly stated goals and indicators for evaluation of the progress.
Some of the indicators include: value added and exports of high tech manufacturing industries, share of high tech industries in total manufacturing, investments in manufacturing, total R&D expenditures and personnel, share of knowledge intensive services in total value added and number of people employed by digital companies.
Potential for learning or transfer
There is a huge potential of mutual learning and transfer of knowledge within the S3. The core of the S3 is to provoke mutual work of the main stakeholders, which will lead to shared knowledge, joined projects and technology transfer.