Smart Specialisation for Sustainable Development Goals. A reflection framework for strengthening sustainability dimension in Smart Specialisation Strategies

  • 28 Apr 2022

  • Online event 

Sustainable development is a core principle of the Treaty on European Union and a priority objective for the Union's internal and external policies. Since 2018, Joint Research Centre (JRC) has engaged in research, policy debates and experimentation exploring the contribution of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the last couple of years a set of publications consolidating this work has been developed with experts and practitioners. In October 2021, the JRC launched a series of online webinars to share this growing body of knowledge and engage with a wider audience.

In December 2021, the JRC released a paper discussing theoretical and conceptual implications of embedding the sustainability challenges and SDGs in the Smart Specialisation approach. Based on the comprehensive review of academic research, the authors put forward new guiding principles for S3 and proposed a set of questions for a self-assessment framework for regions and countries wishing to strengthen the sustainability dimension in their S3. By recognising the growing interest in new approaches to strengthening the sustainability dimension in S3, the JRC asked a group of experts to test and further develop the framework in close collaboration with regional and national S3 practitioners. 

This framework has now been tested and further developed in a close collaboration with regional and national S3 practitioners, both in the EU and beyond. The e-Talk presented the framework and key findings from this empirical research, including practical recommendations and lessons learned from so far experiences. The panel discussion brought together S3 practitioners who contributed to the framework.

 

Programme

28 April

28 April

  1. 11.00 – 11.10
    Opening remarks

    Moderation: Monika Matusiak, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

    Markku Markkula, President of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Region; Member of the European Committee of the Regions

  2. 11.10 – 11.40
    Presentation of the publication
    • Prof. Lars Coenen, The Mohn Center for Innovation and Regional Development, Western Norway University of Applied of Sciences.
    • Dr Henrik Larsen, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.
       
  3. 11.40 – 12.40
    Panel with S3 practitioners
    • Łukasz Dąbrowski, Pomorskie, Poland
    • Florence Hennart, Wallonia, Belgium
    • Tomáš Holinka, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czechia
    • Luc Hulsman, Northern Netherlands 
    • Teresa Jorge, Centro, Portugal
    • Petra Szávics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj; formerly Nord-Vest RDA, Romania
    • Bruce Wilson, Social Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Australia
       
  4. 12.40 – 13.10
    Moderated discussion with participants
  5. 13.10 - 13.15
    Closing remarks and next steps

    Alessandro Rainoldi, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

Practical Information

When
28 Apr 2022
Where

Online event 

Registration Information

Registration form

Contact

JRC-S3FORSDGS@ec.europa.eu