SMART
Creating a smarter Europe means promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity.
Our programme helps local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better regional development policies in this field.
We create opportunities for sharing solutions to regional development issues, for exchanging good practices and for policy learning via our two pillars: our interregional cooperation projects and our Policy Learning Platform.
Scroll below to capitalise on the knowledge they've gained, take part in upcoming capacity building opportunities or apply for your own project proposal.
Discover the SMART sub-topics we address and click on the link to find all related resources on our website.
Projects and project ideas
Get inspired by our approved projects or explore one of these SMART project ideas. Then, discover how you can get involved in interregional cooperation by preparing your own project proposal.
SMART projects
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EU_SHAFE
Success Road
INTENCIVE
SinCE-AFC
CRAFTS CODE
InnoHEIs
PASSPARTOOL
START EASY
INNO INDUSTRY
BETTER
ECoC-SME
DIGITAL REGIONS
SMART project ideas
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Policy solutions
Explore all the policy solutions our projects and policy experts have identified on the topic of SMART. Read through our policy briefs and good practices. Watch our webinar recordings. Download the conclusions for past workshops and peer reviews.
Good practices
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Tartu – testbed of good thoughts
To move faster towards being a smart and sustainable city, Tartu promotes itself as a professional and start-up minded testbed of novel smart city solutions.
INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAMME: CONNECTING TALENT INTERNSHIPS
International mobility program: young people with university degree that can stay in leading organizations abroad for 6 months
Simulate your business
The business development organization - ALMI re-developed a business simulation tool in respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WTC podcast to stimulate export during COVID-19
Webinar and podcast series to stimulate exports of SMEs has lead to a interesting series of podcasts and suscces stories.
EKIN+: Support program for creation, growth & consolidation of innovative start-ups in San Sebastián
EKIN+ is a program created in 2014 to promote and consolidate innovative business projects in San Sebastian.
Guimarães Marca Fashion Festival
Fashion Film Festival, the Parade & Showcase of Guimarães Marca companies, the Young Creators and the Guimarães Marca Fashion Festival Talks
BLUE GROWTH PIRAEUS
Blue Growth Piraeus (BGP) is an initiative to support start-ups and sustainable entrepreneurship in the maritime economy
Support to arts, entertainment and recreation sector businesses | Covid-19
Support to culture sector enterprises by offering working capital loans and grants for organisation of art, entertainment, or recreation events.
Quality standards and individualised approach of local incubation programme within ERDF by Leszno Business Centre
Quality incubation programme for local start-ups including both business support services and investment (first being pre-condition for the latter).
Support program: "Ris3mur COVID-19 for reactivation business through technological innovation"
Financial support for companies framed within sectors included in the Research & Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy whose results were affected by Covid19
Supporting businesses to deploy e-commerce solutions during COVID-19 pandemic
Public support instrument for SMEs focusing on the deployment of digital e-commerce solutions during the pandemic
Clinically-validated INtegrated Support for Assistive Care & Lifestyle Improvement: vINCI
The vINCI project has developed an assistive monitoring technology for the older adults aged 65+.
Crisis Consulting Corona
Crisis Consulting Corona provided SMEs and self-employed in Baden-Württemberg with crisis consulting to help them address the challenges linked to the pandemic
SMART policy solutions
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Better RIS3 Governance
Explore the follow-up report of the matchmaking we hosted for the Region of Western Greece Managing Authority and get inspired!
Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems with innovation vouchers
On 8 March 2023, the Policy Learning Platform held a webinar on the topic of
Innovation Inducement Prizes: small steps to transformative changes
There is a growing consensus that innovation policies need to be directed toward addressing societal challenges like climate change,
Innovation procurement
Explore the role of innovation procurement, as an important policy tool, for regional development in this policy brief.
Creating a blue economy roadmap
Discover the recommendations made by European peers on the topic of building an blue economy roadmap
Cultural and Creative Industries: Towards a more social Europe
On 7 February 2023, the Policy Learning Platform hosted the second episode of the Cultural and Creative Industries series: Towards a more social Europe. Watch the recording and explore the key learnings.
Fostering innovation capacities and integrating disadvantaged groups
Explore the challenges and recommendations of the peer review for the government of Åland.
Cultural and Creative Industries: Towards a green and digital Europe
On 31 January 2023, the Policy Learning Platform hosted the first episode of Cultural and Creative Industries series. Watch the recording and explore the key learnings.
Multi-level Governance for Innovation
Discover how regions across Europe have been using multi-level governance to promote innovation.
Development of Smart Island and Smart Tourism Strategies
Discover how the Policy Learning Platform has helped the island of Korčula with its smart tourism strategies.
University-industry collaboration for the digital and green twin transitions
On 19 October 2022, the Policy Learning Platform in Brno, Czech Republic on University-industry collaboration for the digital and green twin transitions.
Entrepreneurship support: Incubator success factors
On 12 December 2022, the Policy Learning Platform hosted a webinar on the topic of entrepreneurship support. Watch the recording and access the presentations.
Replay available: Next generation policymakers
More than 150 participants, 10 talented speakers around an important subject: why continuous learning and cooperation helps policymakers to face today and tomorrow's challenges. Watch the recording.
Spaces for innovation
Explore the importance of five types of spaces for innovation for local and regional development in this policy brief!
Digital innovation hubs and demonstrators
How can we build digital innovation hubs to accelerate the take up of digitalisation opportunities for companies? FInd out how it is possible with this article.
Get policy advice
Are you looking for help on a regional policy-making challenge or simply have a question? Make use of our Platform services.
News and events
Explore the latest news and upcoming events on SMART topics.
Better RIS3 Governance
Explore the follow-up report of the matchmaking we hosted for the Region of Western Greece Managing Authority and get inspired!
Peer review: Designing open innovation calls
On 28 and 29 March 2023, the Policy Learning Platform is organising a peer review for the benefit of the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece. It will focus on the design of open innovation calls and reinforcing multi-level coordination.
Inspiring practices of lifelong learning regional policies
On 29 March 2023 from 11:00 - 12:00 CEST, the Lifelong Learning Platform (LLLP) is hosting a webinar to present inspiring practices of lifelong learning.
Multi-Level Governance II: Synergies between Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe
On 21 April 2023 from 10:30 to 12:00 CEST, the Policy Learning Platform is hosting an online discussion on the topic of Multi-Level Governance: Synergies between Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe. The event has been designed after the initial online discussion on Multi-level governance for
