RIS3 in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh) RIS3 in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh)

In 2015, JRC completed the implementation of a European Parliament Preparatory Action in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (REMTh). This had two main aims:

  • to facilitate the refinement and implementation of the RIS3 strategy in a region heavily hit by the crisis;
  • to serve as a model for other convergence regions in Greece and Europe.

At the same time, it has also served as a unique test bed for theories on smart specialisation.

The final report includes several detailed annexes, available here.

Achieving these aims centred on three core activities:

Mapping & stocktaking

Stocktaking and assessment of the development of the RIS3 strategy and identification of actions to ensure its smooth implementation.

In line with this aim, the preparatory action included the following activities:
Support to the EDP process

Testing and optimising an entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) to support the process of the implementation of selected research and innovation priorities, supporting the development of concrete project ideas among stakeholders.

To this aim, the project carried out the following activities, engaging stakeholders in the region:

Some results from the EDP workshops and PDL events have been processed into extended case studies.
Capacity building

Supporting a networking and collaboration culture among stakeholders and ensuring that access to relevant information and best-practice is shared across stakeholders and local authorities.

The following activities have been particularly important for this line of activity:

  • On-line R&D Funding Guide
  • Outcomes of a dedicated working group on human resources and mobility
  • Outcomes of a dedicated working group on governance 

This action had a duration of 15 months from September 2014 to November 2015. The project was implemented by JRC in close cooperation with DG REGIO, the Managing Authority of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and the Regional Council of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and with the support of selected independent experts.

Events Events

Smart Specialisation: monitoring and evaluation State of the play and next steps

24 Jan 2019
Given its experimentalist and result-oriented approach, Smart Specialisation places a strong emphasis on the role of monitoring and evaluation.

Third meeting of the working group on RIS3 monitoring in lagging regions

06 Jul 2017
This event concludes a set of three meetings in which the partner regions of the project RIS3 Support in Lagging Regions have discussed and advanced their...

1st Project Development Lab, Komotini, 6-7 May 2015

06 May 2015 - 07 May 2015
Many of the promising ideas generated during the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) focus groups were further pursued in line with possible funding...
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