Cross-Border Smart Specialisation Strategy of Galicia – Northern Portugal (RIS3T)

In order for regions to be globally competitive today, their smart specialization strategies cannot be established with an approach limited to just one particular region. The grouping of objectives accentuates the need for creating greater external dynamics by coordinating and making the most of synergies with the policy initiatives, instruments and infrastructures in other regions. To that effect, trans-regional collaboration is a central aspect and a challenge for smart specialization, particularly for neighbouring regions with a cross-border dimension. The Smart Specialization Strategy of Galicia and Northern Portugal (RIS3T) is the first cross-border RIS in the EU. Its main objective is to generate economic knowledge, quality employment and social welfare by jointly promoting strengths and common challenges. Thus, the RIS3T aims to boost the participation of the euro-region in European calls for inter-territorial cooperation and constitutes a framework to launch coordinated actions and projects capable of competing with greater success in attracting funding from the H2020. The design of the Strategy was coordinated by each side of the border, by the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) and the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the North (CCDRN).