Peer review workshop in Strasbourg (FR)

Building on the experience gained from the previous four peer-review workshops organised by the IPTS (EC), this workshop employed the peer-review methodology as an instrument to support EU regions and Member States in the development of their RIS3 (research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation).

The workshop ran over two days. It started on 03 December with an open session which included discussions of Smart Specialisation, European/national/regional frames and main challenges for RIS3. 

Dominique Foray shared with participants his early feedback and insights from works with regions. Åge Mariussen and Vesa Harmaakorpi provided some examples and implications for smart specialisation strategies. The S3 Platform delivered the RIS3 methodology. The roundtable speakers focused on national initiatives and their impact on RIS, tools and methods for harmonisation of RIS3 at national level.

On 04 December, four regions presented their current work on RIS3, and had an opportunity to discuss their progress with their other regions ('critical friends') and experts.

During the workshop four European regions (Alsace, Attica, Bratislava and Emilia-Romagna) presented their current work on RIS3. The rest of the workshop participants was asked to act as 'critical friends' and discuss the strategies of the four regions under review.

The most discussed issues were the following:

• Crisis and RIS3
• How to guarantee a stakeholder involvement in the RIS3 process
• Including and supporting a Cluster
• Providing a friendly environment for SMEs
• Sustainable innovation environment