Collaboration opportunities and synergies between Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) and EIT Climate KIC under the Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS)

Seven ESIF MAs and implementation bodies from targeted countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Serbia and Slovenia) gave presentations and provided brief information on their activities, particularly under the Thematic Objective 1 (TO1) related to EIT RIS themes. These presentations also included descriptions of the complementarity between RIS3 and EIT RIS fields as well as critical factors and recommendations for ways forward.

Abstract

The EIT Climate-KIC, JRC, DG REGIO and the national and regional ESIF Managing Authorities (MAs) and bodies responsible for RIS3 implementation work with common stakeholders from across the quadruple helix. These stakeholders are crucial for efficient RIS3 implementation, as well as for successful cooperation under EIT RIS. Therefore, enhancing communication between these stakeholders and aligning their activities can help to foster regional capacities and create more collaboration opportunities for each actor of the regional innovation ecosystem. Moreover, the EIT RIS themes of EIT Climate-KIC (climate adaptation, energy transition, cities with sustainable buildings and industry 4.0) are top priorities for the EU and have been identified by almost all the MSs in their RIS3. Also, despite the similarities of activities and target groups, there have been no examples to bring together national and regional MAs with EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

However, there is a clear need to seek efficient collaboration between the national and regional MAs and partners of EIT Climate-KIC, including other actors responsible for RIS3. The joint event of S2E and EIT Climate-KIC was both novel and unique in bringing together those stakeholders. The agenda of the event had three sessions. A session dedicated to policy context introduced basic information on EIT Climate-KIC and related European Commission services. The second session was composed of ESIF Managing Authorities and RIS3 implementation bodies where the representatives provided information on their activities in relation to the EIT RIS themes and critical success factors from their points of view. The third session was a participatory exercise based on an adapted version of Ocean of Opportunities/Empty Spaces tool from Visual toolbox for System Innovation that allow gathering, codification and analysis of results for further reporting and follow-up exchange with participants. The exercise was divided into two sessions. The first one identified ideas, initiatives and
related stakeholders with an emphasis on the alignment of regional RIS3 priorities and EIT RIS themes. The second session followed the results of the first session with the focus on the relation between the identified projects, ideas or initiatives within the broader framework of the EU and the Climate-KIC.

This document summarise the main outcomes discussed between stakeholders in the joint event of S2E and EIT Climate-KIC.

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