Smart Specialization Structure of the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia (RIS Structure)
About this good practice
The practice addresses the lack of integration between regional businesses and research/academic institutions in Western Macedonia, limiting regional innovation. This gap hindered sustainable growth and competitiveness. The focus is on increasing participation in European clusters, networks, and R&I projects, and fostering collaboration between businesses and research organizations to unlock the region's innovation potential.
The practice maps the regional innovation ecosystem, encouraging businesses to collaborate with research and academic institutions. It supports international partnerships, networking, and knowledge exchange with EU enterprises and R&I projects. Implementation includes events, programs, and advisory services for businesses seeking innovation and international expansion. Additionally, it engages with European R&I programs, helping businesses participate and benefit from these collaborative initiatives to enhance their innovation capacity and global competitiveness.
Key stakeholders are the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia (RIS/RDF-WM), Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, the University of Western Macedonia, and European enterprises. The beneficiaries include local businesses seeking to innovate and expand internationally
Resources needed
Funded by the ERDF under the "Western Macedonia 2014-2020" programme, supporting RIS3 strategy implementation. It fosters collaboration between businesses & research. Budget of 1,000,000 euros, it has 8 FTE staff, led by Mr. Mavromatidis, including a Head of Employment and Innovation, and others.
Evidence of success
This practice is successful due to its impact on regional innovation and business internationalization. These outcomes
• Formalized partnerships between local businesses and research institutions, boosting innovation in SMEs
• Improved export performance by 2-5%
• Increased participation of SMEs in European R&I projects
• Enhanced regional innovation capacity
These effects align with RIS3 goals and contribute to sustainable regional development.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice is valuable for other regions due to its successful approach in fostering collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and government, using the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3). The quadruple helix model (government, academia, industry, and civil society) promotes innovation and sustainable growth. The use of indicators (Smart Specialization, Innovation, and General Interest) enables continuous monitoring and adaptation, making it transferable to other regions.
Key success factors for transfer include aligning regional goals with European frameworks, strong stakeholder involvement, and access to diverse funding sources. Barriers could include differences in regional governance, cooperation levels, and funding availability. While no direct transfers have been noted, the principles can be adapted to regions aiming to integrate research with business for regional development, especially where innovation ecosystems need strengthening.
