RIS3 support for Lagging Regions – Pilot Programme with Joint Research Center (JRC) and DG REGIO

The project defined and refined the smart development regional priorities through innovation by developing & implementing regional consultation methodology (Entreprenorial Discovery Process), drafting a multi-annual action plan with vertical & horizontal priorities and supporting collection and development of innovative projects in priority areas and the process governance making use of bottom-up approach involving regional quadruple helix. The objectives were achieved through EDP focus and working groups in main areas and mechanisms for collecting innovative project ideas and targeting them to main RIS3 priorities were designed. New concept of innovative “integrated project” was developed including a research component for finding innovative solutions to societal challenges and turning them into innovative products, services and processes leading to economic added value. The concept was proposed by Romanian pilot regions (NE & NW) to the Managing Authority that included it in the existing ROP 2014-20 (Axis 1 - Technology Transfer) as new specific objective. Now, the NE RDA collaborates with the MA for elaboration of Applicant's Guide in ROP’s implementation framework. Of 130 proposals collected, 33 were integrated, encouraging clustering the ideas around intra- and cross-sectoral priorities. New thematic partnerships were setup among R&D centers, companies and NGOs. The stakeholders are regional knowledge centers, innovative companies with/without own R&D units and NGOs.