The efforts to enhance regional innovation in a developing European Region: the case of Western Greece: The efforts to enhance regional innovation in a developing European Region: the case of Western Greece Dr. Stefanos Michos Regional Development Fund Region of Western Greece


Overview: Overview Western Greece at a glance Short profile of RDF-RWG General information about the region Basic regional economic data Brief SWOT analysis Regional innovation strategy The four (4) most important regional innovation projects Main achievements (INN•ACT, WISE) Expected outcomes (INNOREF, FILES) Good practices Conclusions


PATRAS: PATRAS Olympic city for 2004, cultural capital of Europe for 2006, the centre of the Region.


Short profile of RDF-RWG: Short profile of RDF-RWG Supervised by the Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization President of the Management Board is the Secretary General of the Region Objectives: The management of credits pertaining to the Public Investment Programme; the management of financing coming from government or other legal entities, the administration of appropriations regarding EC Programmes, International Organisations and other foreign bodies with respect to the corresponding development plans of the Region The provision of technical assistance for the Region, which implies the elaboration of studies and surveys The participation in EC Programmes


General information about the region: General information about the region


General information about the region (cont.): General information about the region (cont.)   For the most part the terrain is mountainous (45,3%) or hilly (25,6%), while only 29,1% consists of plains Variety of landscapes, from alpine meadows to sandy beaches and a unique network of rivers and wetlands that support a wide range of wildlife (including golden eagles and vultures)   RWG is a modern communications and transport hub that connects Greece to the rest of Europe (country’s main gateway to Western Europe)


Basic regional economic data: Basic regional economic data


Brief SWOT analysis: Brief SWOT analysis


Regional innovation strategy: Regional innovation strategy Pilot innovative systems & services Vehicle: Innovative Actions ERDF (2002-2004) –> INN-ACT Innovative Measures ESF (2002-2004) –> WISE Networking + integration to some extent + expansion Vehicle: Regional Operational Programme (2000-2006) Information Society (2003-2004) Large-scale innovative integrated systems & services and new pilot innovative systems & services Vehicle: Information Society (2005-2007) Interreg IIIC East (2004-2007) –> INNOREF Innovative Measures ESF (2005-2007) –> FILES Regional Operational Programme (2007-2013)


The 4 most important regional innovation projects: The 4 most important regional innovation projects For more info please see at: www.ptapde.gr/projects


Main achievements (INN•ACT, WISE): Main achievements (INN•ACT, WISE)


Expected outcomes (INNOREF, FILES): Expected outcomes (INNOREF, FILES)


Good practices: Good practices Top-down process in defining high priority regional sectors Bottom-up process in determining innovation “needs” – high mobilisation of actors in the region Elaboration of a master plan for regional development with short, medium, and long-term complementary actions in the predetermined priority regional sectors Creation of a model of local employment strategy to confront the acute unemployment issues Cooperation of public and private sector in a balanced way Continuous involvement of several highly advanced R&D companies activated in Western Greece as well as University Departments and Research Institutes on the edge of technology


Conclusions: Conclusions After 6 years of continuous and intense efforts in RWG, we have surely managed to: start making our region known to the EC, at least in regional innovation issues; establish a regional innovation pole at national level; urge small firms to incorporate innovation in their production sector in order to become really competitive; cultivate an “innovation” culture, particularly to persons and institutions not directly related to it; plan a strategy with a more future-oriented perspective than before; learn the value of strategic policy intelligence tools, such as road-mapping, technology assessment, foresight, benchmarking and evaluation; and, last but not least, understand that enhancing RTD and innovation at the regional level is a tough job that is really worth while.


Slide16: Thank you very much for your attention! Email contact: smichos@ptapde.gr