Brussels, 5 October 2012

Timing: 9h00 - 16h00

Background

The Europe 2020 strategy is asking for 3% of the EU's GDP to be invested in R&D to reach smart growth of the European territory. Before this background each Member State sets its own target according to its self-estimated capacity in order to reach this goal for the EU as a whole. However, there is still a need to identify available sources, which can be used defining these targets at national and regional level. This information is needed for the elaboration of options to adapt regional innovation policies, ensuring that all regions best contribute to the global objective of Europe 2020.

Cities and regions are facing different combinations of development problems and growth potentials. Also innovation shows rather differentiated territorial patterns and specific territorial characteristics, taking influence on the development of regions. The TA 2020 takes this aspect into consideration by promoting ‘place-based strategies developed locally to address local conditions’. The 7th progress report on economic, social and territorial cohesion assesses how, in the context of Cohesion Policy, regions and cities can contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and Europe 2020 headline targets. This is one of the main reasons Cohesion Policy uses an integrated approach that can be adjusted to local needs and opportunities.

Innovation and knowledge for the future of the European territory is also highlighted by the Commission Staff Working Document on elements for a Community Strategic Framework 2014 to 2020. It identifies as first objective the need to strengthen research, technological development and innovation. Referring to the Flagship Initiative "Innovation Union" it is identified that research and innovation capacities shall be developed across Europe, based on smart specialisation strategies.

Objectives

On this backdrop this workshop shall provide information on the territorial dimension of innovation and knowledge and its implications for the elaboration of future Structural Funds programmes. Evidence on the state of the European territory with regard to the innovation and knowledge economy will be presented, while taking also account of globalization processes.

Place-based policy options will be identified, which will be of high relevance if the current track is continued and innovation is identified as investment priority within the next programming period. Finally, fields in need of further knowledge and evidence supporting the policy development shall be identified.

Programme

The workshop is organized in cooperation with the ESPON projects TIGER ‘Territorial Impact of Globalization for Europe and its Regions’, KIT ‘Knowledge, Innovation, Territory’ and AMCER ‘Advanced Monitoring and Coordination of EU R&D Policies at Regional Level’ integrating a global, European and regional perspective.

This workshop will begin with the presentation of results of the three ESPON projects on the role of the territorial dimension of innovation and knowledge and its implication for territorial Cohesion Policy. In this context smart innovation policies are considered as tool to reach the Europe 2020 headline target for R&D, taking account of specific characteristics of the European territory.

Policy-makers at European, national and regional levels will inform on their perceptions, ambitions and expectations with regard to recent and future innovation policies. Best practices but also cases with need for actions will be identified here.

Finally, a debate will be launched on the implications of the territorial dimension of innovation, presented project results and place-based policy options for future Cohesion Policy. Among others the question shall be answered on how to support regions in the best possible way in their contribution of innovation and knowledge to the global objective of Europe 2020.

Target Groups

The workshop is open for all interested people and will in particular welcome a mix of policy makers and practitioners.

A maximum of 50 participants can be hosted; therefore seats are available on a first come first served basis.

Registration

The registration period has ended on 20 September 2012 as the maximum number of participants has been reached. For more information contact the ESPON Coordination Unit at info@espon.eu.

When and Where

The workshop takes place on 5 October 2012 in Brussels.

Venue:
Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the EU

Avenue de Cortenbergh, 75

B - 1000 Brussels

Further information

Please find below the programme. The final programme will be sent to the registered participants by 28 September 2012.

More info: contact the ESPON Coordination Unit at info@espon.eu.

This Workshop is organised within the framework of the ESPON 2013 Capitalisation Strategy
(Actions related to European Seminars and Workshops).