Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) within a multi-level perspective in East Flanders

In collaboration with Marc Pattinson and Arnault Morisson from the Policy Learning Platform, five accomplished peers participated in the review:

• Dmitri Domanski, Business Metropole Ruhr, Germany
• Gabriela Macoveiu, North-East Regional Development Agency, Romania
• Richard Tuffs, Friends of Smart Specialisation, Belgium
• Silvia Visciano, Puglia Region, Puglia, Italy
• Stavros Mantzanakis, Region of Central Macedonia - One Stop Liaison Office, Greece

These peers shared their experiences and provided tailored policy recommendations to address the challenges faced by the Province of East Flanders. Their insights, know-how, and practical suggestions are invaluable for solving the presented challenges.

Stakeholder Engagement: foster active engagement among stakeholders. Leverage the resources and expertise of existing universities, knowledge organisations, large companies, and intermediaries to facilitate the process. Emphasise a collaborative approach with multiple facilitators, ideally promoting co-leadership from both research (universities) and industry clusters (large companies) within each Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) priority area. This collaborative effort is instrumental in defining comprehensive roadmaps, drawing inspiration from successful models such as the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIP).  The province can also utilise its unique interregional position to foster cooperation within the region of Flanders and with neighbouring regions in the Netherlands and France.

Selection of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): the Province of East Flanders should meticulously choose relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the identified guidance issues. These indicators must be capable of effectively tracking progress and guiding pilot initiatives. Drawing insights from established frameworks such as the ERDF indicators is crucial. By selecting appropriate KPIs, the province can foster a sense of cohesion and direction among regional innovation stakeholders, particularly in relation to the strategic S3 priorities. Examples of good practices, such as the RIS3 MCAT monitoring system in Catalonia, Spain, and Transparent Presentation and Communication of Innovation Projects Funded by ERDF in Asturias, Spain, provide valuable insights for effective communication and utilisation of monitoring systems that can inspire and deliver sustainable engagement from stakeholders.

Read more about these and other recommendations in the follow-up report, to be published here soon.