The ecosystem approach
Published on 16 July 2020
Latvia
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About this good practice
To be able to address different political initiatives for cultivation of development and integration in the Global Value Chains (GVC), a method of value chain identification and development is necessary. In 2018 Ministry of Economics started a pilot project “Strategic ecosystem development” (by using ecosystem approach) with the aim of the project to strengthen the collaboration between organizations (triple helix), to cultivate the development of ecosystem in particular sector, by increasing the innovations, improving the infrastructure and legislation, thus raising the potential of specific ecosystems integration in the GVC, in the leading European innovation consortiums and attract public/private investment. Ministry of Economics has identified 3 value chains for “Strategic ecosystem development” pilot project (biomedicine, smart cities and smart materials).
The method used in this pilot project consists of 8 steps, which lead to strategic development of ecosystem. This method does not provide all ecosystem with the same rate of development but using constructive self-analysis it allows organizations to determine their competitive advantages and identify directions of future development. Within this pilot project three ecosystems where mapped which allowed to identify the key players and allowed to develop workshops where key players from academia, public and private sector took part to identify specific ecosystem’s development potential and possibilities to collaborate.
The method used in this pilot project consists of 8 steps, which lead to strategic development of ecosystem. This method does not provide all ecosystem with the same rate of development but using constructive self-analysis it allows organizations to determine their competitive advantages and identify directions of future development. Within this pilot project three ecosystems where mapped which allowed to identify the key players and allowed to develop workshops where key players from academia, public and private sector took part to identify specific ecosystem’s development potential and possibilities to collaborate.
Expert opinion
The good practice focuses on the method of value chain identification developed by the Latvia Ministry of Economy through a pilot project for “strategic ecosystem development”. The pilot project aims to strengthen triple helix collaboration, attracting public and private investments to promote innovation, and improving infrastructures and legislation. The pilot project has been conducted through a series of conferences, meetings, hackathons and workshops, where key actors from academia, public and private sectors were called to identify ecosystem development potential and collaboration opportunities. Three main value chains have been identified in the sectors of biomedicine, smart cities and smart material and analysed though an 8 step-method based on ecosystem approach. The organisations are addressed to a constructive self-analysis aimed to determine competitive advantages and identifying directions of future development. The ecosystem approach allows the identification of specific triple-helix stakeholders from industry, academia and public sector to be involved in the creation of a cross-sectoral cooperation platform to upgrade existing value chains.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Currently the resources required has formed about EUR 100.000 including the necessary labor expenses, organisation of stakeholder mapping through meetings, hackathons for solution development to be addressed within the ecosystem and conferences for educational and networking purposes.
Evidence of success
Ecosystem approach has proved itself as a great instrument to develop cooperation between all triple-helix players to establish united long-term vision in one particular sector. Ministry of Economics has identified 3 value chains for “Strategic ecosystem development” pilot project (biomedicine, smart cities and smart materials). For example, within the scope of Smart cities ecosystem a stakeholder association "VEFRESH" was formed to test unified smart solutions for smart cities.
Potential for learning or transfer
Each region or country has its own areas of strength provided by academia, industry and public sector. Ecosystems are a way of bringing together all the specific stakeholders to form a cross-sectoral cooperation platform with all the specific are strengths a country might have. From a foreign direct investment or any type of interest perspective it is a unified platform of stakeholders, that might also be placed within a certain area, which can be displayed from all the Triple helix perspective showing involvement of the industry, academia and public sector. From an Employment and student`s perspective, it shows the priorities and further development options from finishing studies or researches, to being able to work within the certain ecosystem.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ministry of Economics
Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Senior expert