In June 2020, the Policy Learning Platform organised a peer review to assist the Government of Catalonia (Spain) in their policy challenge. While initially planned as an on-site visit the Policy Learning Platform team as well as the host had to adapt to the realities of the COVID-19 virus and organize the peer review online. It was, therefore, the first online peer review of the Platform. And it worked out well!
The Department of Enterprise and Knowledge of the Government of Catalonia reached out to the Platform to receive expert advice on services dedicated to startups. Peers from Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, and the United Kingdom, together with our thematic experts, met online with colleagues from the Government of Catalonia to share various good practices and relevant experience on topics related to:
- Talent attraction and retention
- Alternative financing
- Startup monitoring and assessment
- Startup definition
Policy recommendations and good practices were shared in regard to all four topics. For example, for talent retention, it was recommended to analyse why talented foreigners leave the region so to identify the areas that need most improvement. Establishment of public-private partnerships was also emphasized to help startup migrants succeed. Or, when setting up a monitoring and services system, it was recommended to use user-oriented strategy for development as users know best what they need and their involvement in the design process will also ensure commitment and ownership. Find all the detailed recommendations in the follow-up report.
Following the peer review, the host organisation started a consultation process with the other stakeholders and government departments involved in the implementation of policies in the topics included in this peer review. This consultation process has the objective of discussing all the recommendations provided by the peers and assess the possibility of drafting action plans to implement some of the recommendation provided by the peers.
This consultation process started right after the peer review and the host organisation expects to have concrete actions plans in at least two of the topics discussed before the end of the year.
Are you interested in hosting a peer review for your region? Submit your application today.
Image credit: Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels
Related news

Action Plan in Ireland (1/10)
ERNACT develops a plan to increase the uptake of disruptive technology solutions by SMEs to better connect the North West of Ireland.

6th meeting exchange with stakeholders in Teruel
The Council of Teruel, which is leading SILVER SMEs, organised its 6th stakeholders meeting online on January 26, 2021

Pilot to overcome cross-border business barriers
DG Growth has launched a call for expression of interest in a pilot to overcome barriers to cross-border business activities. Deadline by 15 March.
Related events

Feb
03
2021
Italy
Stimulating or Stifling Nature-Based Innovation?
The event bring experts of ICLEI, cities and regions and enterprises together to discuss n public procurement for nature-based solutions.

Feb
04
2021
SUSTAINABILITY FOR GROWTH IN STARTUPS AND SMES
The workshop is led by experts in the field of innovation support and sustainability as part of a thematically familiar project co-financed with the funds of th...

Jan
29
2021
Entrepreneurial societies make resilient regions
Join an online event by OECD and CoR on 29 January to discuss local and regional factors and enablers to mobilizing entrepreneurial activity in Europe.