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HANNN: How a cluster becomes a game changer for a societal challenge
Published on 11 April 2019
Netherlands
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About this good practice
This good practice shows how a cluster organisation evolves from a classic cluster to a game changer for a societal challenge and how Smart Specialisation and ERDF funding can further such a change. An important success factor for HANNN is that it was formed around the societal challenge of finding solutions to the ageing population, resulting in a healthier lifestyle and subsequently in economic benefits for the region. ‘Healthy Ageing’ is one of the four societal challenges, the core of the RIS3 strategy of the Northern Netherlands.
In 2009 HANNN was founded in a ‘classic manner’, from the perspective of business development and economics. To reach their objective, a close collaboration has been established of knowledge institutes, governmental institutes and enterprises. A modest amount of ERDF was used to start the cluster. It grew rapidly and built strong (inter)national networks, bringing two times the highest score of Reference Site status on healthy ageing to the region.
Over the years, the cluster got a more holistic approach. With sharing their knowledge, they attracted more attention on healthy ageing within the political agendas. They became a game changer, instigating fundamental changes within policy areas like health care, business development and transport. From 2014 ERDF was used to establish innovative projects to boost developments. This resulted in numerous successful initiatives contributing to the societal challenges addressed by the RIS3 of the region
In 2009 HANNN was founded in a ‘classic manner’, from the perspective of business development and economics. To reach their objective, a close collaboration has been established of knowledge institutes, governmental institutes and enterprises. A modest amount of ERDF was used to start the cluster. It grew rapidly and built strong (inter)national networks, bringing two times the highest score of Reference Site status on healthy ageing to the region.
Over the years, the cluster got a more holistic approach. With sharing their knowledge, they attracted more attention on healthy ageing within the political agendas. They became a game changer, instigating fundamental changes within policy areas like health care, business development and transport. From 2014 ERDF was used to establish innovative projects to boost developments. This resulted in numerous successful initiatives contributing to the societal challenges addressed by the RIS3 of the region
Expert opinion
The good practice constitutes an example of how a region selected the strategic objective to respond to a societal challenge, in this case, healthy ageing. In 2009, Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands (HANNN) was created to offer well-established cluster services and grew over time as a crucial actor in the regional innovation ecosystem. The mission-oriented objectives of the HANNN cluster to respond to a regional societal challenge led healthy ageing to be incorporated as one of the four societal challenges of the Northern Netherlands’ S3.
Some insights from the good practice:
-The good practice gives an example of how mission-oriented policy frameworks and societal challenges can be included in regional S3.
-HANNN provides a path forward for policymakers to learn how European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and other funds can be applied to serve mission-oriented innovation policies and societal challenges within the context of a cluster.
Some insights from the good practice:
-The good practice gives an example of how mission-oriented policy frameworks and societal challenges can be included in regional S3.
-HANNN provides a path forward for policymakers to learn how European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and other funds can be applied to serve mission-oriented innovation policies and societal challenges within the context of a cluster.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Establishment costs: 3 Million, of which €100.000 ERDF. Main finance shifted from primarily private parties to governmental and knowledge institutes within the region.
Two of the three current projects receive funding from ERDF. There are 10 people working for the HANNN (7 FTEs), incl. 4 interns.
Two of the three current projects receive funding from ERDF. There are 10 people working for the HANNN (7 FTEs), incl. 4 interns.
Evidence of success
Growth of the network. HANNN started with 12 larger companies as members and currently has 80 members of a wider network.
Municipality Groningen developed a new health strategy, based on a congress HANNN organised. HANNN generally influenced political agendas concerning health in the region.
Participant and co-initiator in over 20 (European) projects and initiatives like LifeLines, Health Hub Roden, and Healthy Ageing Campus. 2 times awarded with highest score Reference Site on healthy ageing.
Municipality Groningen developed a new health strategy, based on a congress HANNN organised. HANNN generally influenced political agendas concerning health in the region.
Participant and co-initiator in over 20 (European) projects and initiatives like LifeLines, Health Hub Roden, and Healthy Ageing Campus. 2 times awarded with highest score Reference Site on healthy ageing.
Potential for learning or transfer
From this good practice several lessons can be learned and transferred:
1. How to use ERDF funding to enable clusters to really contribute to societal challenges.
2. How to use ERDF funding to cope with the challenge of an ageing population and healthy ageing. Regions who are also facing this challenge can profit from the experience of HANNN and the Northern Netherlands, being a 4 stars Reference Site.
3. How to include the creation of start-ups and spin-offs in your cluster oriented ERDF programming.
4. How to set up a Smart Specialisation Strategy built on societal challenges and how to programme ERDF (and other funds) on this.
1. How to use ERDF funding to enable clusters to really contribute to societal challenges.
2. How to use ERDF funding to cope with the challenge of an ageing population and healthy ageing. Regions who are also facing this challenge can profit from the experience of HANNN and the Northern Netherlands, being a 4 stars Reference Site.
3. How to include the creation of start-ups and spin-offs in your cluster oriented ERDF programming.
4. How to set up a Smart Specialisation Strategy built on societal challenges and how to programme ERDF (and other funds) on this.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands
Netherlands
Groningen
Contact
Project Partner