Enterprise Directorate General

European Commission

Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) :and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) :

regional tools for promoting innovation regional tools for promoting innovation and transnational technology transferand transnational technology transfer

Thessaloniki, 16-17 May 2002

Yannis TSILIBARIS

Head of Sector Networks and Technology Transfer

Enterprise Directorate-General, Innovation Directorate

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IREs and IRCs : regional tools for innovation and technology transfer

Two European tools, run by Enterprise DG / Innovation Programme, with :– strong presence in the regions– formulation of appropriate innovation strategies– innovation & transnational technology transfer

services provision– exchange of experiences & best practices– European networking

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Innovating Regions in Europe (IREs) : What is the network about ?

More than 100 regions and a considerable number of regional actors working together in a full-grown network, in order to :– exchange ideas, experiences & good practices,– develop transnational co-operation projects and – offer a pool of expertise for guidance of policy

makers in the innovation domain

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IREs : Instruments

The instruments which helped to establish,

consolidate and expand the IRE network are :

• The RITTS / RIS projects (DG ENTR/DG REGIO)

• The IRE Thematic networks

• The IRE Central Assistance Unit, and

• The IRE bi-annual conference

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IREs / RITTS / RIS (scheme) 24 - 36 months projects supporting the

regions :– to develop a regional innovation strategy– to integrate innovation & TT in their economic

development– to stimulate innovation among SMEs, and– to develop an innovation culture & an innovation

community– extended recently to NAC countries (16 new

projects)

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IREs / RITTS / RIS project

• Phase 1 Mobilization of actors through appropriate

awareness campaigns, consensus building

• Phase 2 Analysis of needs within the region (field work

amongst the actors concerned)

• Phase 3 Findings and recommendations leading to the

establishment of a regional innovation action plan

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IREs / RITTS / RIS principles

The work under the RITTS/RIS scheme must

follow certain principles :

• a bottom-up approach

• a broad mobilization of regional actors

• building a consensus at regional level

• a need for strategic thinking

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IREs / RITTS / RIS achievements• Starting point to develop, for the first time ever, an

innovation policy at regional level• Helped to widen the concept of innovation &

strengthen its position within the regional policy agenda

• Have focussed regional public authorities in better addressing the needs of the business community,

but most of all :• Created a mobilization around common target /

consensus building / regional dialogue

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IREs/Thematic networks

• interregional fora dealing with topics of common interest

• bringing together policy makers, facing common problems and innovation challenges

• diffusing good practices in the development and implementation of regional innovation strategies

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IREs/Central Assistance Unit

A central secretariat for the IRE network

• organising seminars and workshops

• offering the meeting point for the regions to share experience and draw lessons

• running the IRE website

• publishing regular newsletters with networking opportunities and IRE achievements

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IREs/bi-annual conference

• Two years ago, a very successful meeting in Escorial, Madrid

• This year, in Stratford-Upon-Avon

17-18 June 2002

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The IRC Network

European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation

Objectives, missions, achievements

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Innovation Relay Centres (IRC)

• Selected through an open call for proposals for a 4-year period (2000 - 2004)

• 68 IRCs operating in well defined geographical areas in 31 countries

• IRCs are hosted by: Technology Institutes, Regional Development Agencies, Innovation Agencies, Technology transfer centers, Chambers of Commerce, etc.

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IRC Network : A springboard for technology co-operation

ObjectiveEnhance the competitiveness of businesses in Europe

through:

• Supporting transnational technology transfer according to the specific needs of local industries

• Promoting technology co-operation between European enterprises, and

• Facilitating the access of SMEs to RTD results

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IRC Network : where do IRCs operate ?

IRCsIRCs

FACILITATE TRANSNATIONAL

TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS

Assist inconcluding

TT agreements

Identify local technology offers and demands

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IRCs : main activities at a glace

Inward technology transfer services• Identification of local needs• Search for technology suppliers in the network• Assistance in the negotiation and implementation

phases

Outward technology transfer services • Identification of new technologies from local suppliers• Technology promotion in the network• Assistance in the negotiation and implementation

phases

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IRC support servicesSTEP 1 MAKING CONTACT

COMPANY VISITTECHNOLOGY AUDIT

STEP 2

TECHNOLOGY OFFERTECHNOLOGY NEED

IDENTIFY TECHNOLOGY PROFILES

STEP 3

VIA THE NETWORK

VIA BROKERAGE

EVENTS

VIA SME MISSIONS

FINDING EUROPEAN PARTNERS

STEP 4 OFFERING SUPPORT

ON HOW TO DRAFT TECHNOLOGY EXPLOITATION PLAN, etc

ADVISE ON INNOVATION FINANCING, ON IPR,

STEP 5 ASSISTANCE WITH CONTRACT NEGOCIATIONS

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IRC instruments to achieve TTT• IRC Intranet website, with information on the network activities:

technology offers/requests database, calendar of events, success stories, news, thematic groups

• Thematic groups for IRCs focusing on industrial sectors: agrofood, automotive, environmental technology, electronic, biotechnology, materials…

• Organisation of common events: brokerage events, investment fora, etc

• Organisation of visits between SMEs• IRC staff exchanges

• Exchange of good practices and training

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Types of reported partnerships

• 55% Technical cooperation

• 23% Commercial with Technical assistance

• 13% Licensing

• 6% Manufacturing

• 3% Joint venture

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Key figures first year of current phase

Clients base: ~ 85.000

Clients assisted: ~ 15.000

Company visits: ~ 5. 500

Negotiations started: ~ 4.000

Reported TTT agreements: 135

Achievements

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For more information...

• Have a look at our IRE public website : http://www.innovating-regions.org

• Have a look at our IRC public website : http://www.cordis.lu/irc/home.html