WP8 – Innovation Support

1. WP8 – Innovation Support Kelly Vavasi General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) SP meeting Becici, 11 November 2010

2. WP8 – Innovation Support Objectives • Providing an overview of the WBC innovation systems • Identifying the research and market needs and analysing the needs in innovation policy accordingly • identifying good practices of innovation activities from the EU and the WBC • Identifying policy measures to improve the framework conditions • Promoting the dialogue of the regional innovation stakeholders • Organizing training in the fields of technology transfer and market innovation needs

3. WP8 – Innovation Support • Task 8.1- Stocktaking • Task 8.2- Fostering Innovation and Adapting Good Practices • Task 8.3- Action Plan for Future Joint Innovation Activities • Task 8.4- Capacity Building and Networking

4. Task 8.1 Stocktaking Task Leader: IvoPilar The task includes: • Updated mapping of the WBC innovation systems and stakeholders.Comparative approach(ZSI,MPI, IvoPilar, WBC partners) • Identification of future research and market needs (esp. of SMEs). A questionnaire will be prepared accordingly(JRC-IPTS supported by IvoPilar) • Comparative analysis of the innovation capacity in the WBC. Focus on joint cooperation needs(IvoPilar) In meeting series in m42 (June 2011) the identified needs will be assessed and a prioritisation will be made.

5. Task 8.2 Fostering Innovation andAdapting Good Practices Task Leader: PT-DLR/BMBF In order to elaborate proposals for the implementation of good practice examples suitable to be adapted tothe WBC the following activities are planned : • Identification and comparison of good practice examples of innovation policy approaches and instruments of EU MS and WBC; • Selection of some good practice examples of innovation policies, instruments and activities; • Development of adaptation schemes for the selected good practice examples taking into account the institutional and political environment in the WBC

6. Task 8.2 Fostering Innovation andAdapting Good Practices (step by step) Task Leader: PT-DLR/BMBF • The selection will be done during a T8.2 review meeting ( beginning of 2012); • The selected good practice examples will be presented and analysed during a second review meeting (autumn 2012) aiming at developing adaptation schemes; • Draft proposals for the implementation of adaptation schemes will be elaborated; • The final T 8.2 report (end 2012): adaptation schemes for the selected good practice examples realistically transferable to the WBC. Policy recommendations and suggestions for joint activities (input in T 8.3 Action Plan) and recommendations for training and capacity building

7. Task 8.3 Action Plan for Future Joint Innovation Activities Task Leader: GSRT/Greece Fostering coordination and cooperation between regional innovation stakeholders, in order to: • develop common research and innovation strategies • draw up corresponding joint activities (stand alone or integrated into Europe- wide schemes) • possible future SEE-ERA.NET on Innovation Action Planon Research and Innovation (based on the input of WP8 tasks and also on the existing Joint Action Plan for SEE developed under the SEE-ERA.NET project)

8. Task 8.3 Action Plan for Future Joint Innovation Activities Task Leader: GSRT/Greece Input by Innovation Dialogue Fora/IDF (workshops) organised to: • support the further development of a regional research and innovation area in SEE • promote the inter-regional dialogue and explore synergies via liaison with networks outside SEE • continue the dialoguewith multilateral initiatives and programmes for the targeted region • eligible participants: project partners, policy makers, innovation program managing authorities from national funding agencies, other research institutions and innovation stakeholders coming from the industry, WBC Innovation group of experts, other experts at national, regional and European level.

9. Task 8.3 Action Plan for Future Joint Innovation Activities 1st IDF (Becici, 8-9 November 2010) • 3 sessions (NIS, regional aspects, EU experience) • nearly 60 participants (project partners, WBC Innovation group of experts, policy makers, other experts at national and european level, representatives from academia and SMEs) coming from 16 different countries and more than 31 organisations

10. 1st IDF How to change…….? • Lack of coordinated innovation policy/strategy • Lack of funding (public and private) • Brain drain • Lack of linkages between research and business sector • Lack of knowledge transfer • No supportive environment for the innovators • Lack of / invalid statistical data Also: • What needs to be done at a regional level. Which are on-going regional initiatives.

11. 1st IDFProposals(indicatively) • Monitoring mechanism • Legal systems • Financial incentives • Platform for the coordination of the on-going regional programs/initiatives • Good practice examples from other countries/regions suitably adopted to the needs of the region • Teaching the young people how to be creative and innovative • ……………… • ………………..

12. Task 8.4 Capacity Building and Networking Task Leader: SEERC/Greece In order to enhance the capacity building in the region the following learning groups are being scheduled: • training of the key research managers on the market demands (Serbia, spring 2011) • training for RTDI stakeholders in the field of technology transfer and innovation support (Montenegro, autumn 2011) Also: Participation in a big conference on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development with participants from WBC-INCO.NET ENHANCED partner countries, but also from other countries interested and the respective EC DGs (Skopje,spring 2011. Also in 2012) Virtual meeting at the end of 2013

13. WBC Innovation group of experts The role of this group is to give feedback on the situation of the innovation systems in the region and also • to provide their expertise in the WP8 activities • to support the ministerial partners to be engaged in future transnational cooperative activities in the WB region Future scope: orientation towards the further commitment of the countries of the region into joint future initiatives in the selected fields of innovation support and innovation policy.

14. WBC Innovation group of experts Who? Stakeholder organisations in the field of Innovation with experience in EU Programmes/Innovation schemes mainly from WBC.INCO.NET ENHANCED partner countries, but also from other countries in the SEE and EU MS. Innovation stakeholderorganisations committed to future regional collaborative activities in innovation and thus are in favour of developing and implementing the Action Plan, and also being involved in a possible ERA-NET on Innovation

15. Kelly VavasiGeneral Secretariat for Research & Technology,International S & T Cooperation Directorate14 -18 Messogeion av., 115 10 Athens, Greecetel: +30 210 7458101fax: +30 210 7714153email: kvavasi@gsrt.gr Thank you for your attention!