Regional Innovation

A substantial technology gap still divides the advanced and less-developed regions of the European Union, in both the public and private sectors, in the sphere of research, technological development and innovation (RTDI) systems. It is necessary, therefore, to help European regions develop competitive assets based on innovation rather than leave them to base their regional competitive advantage on costs (particularly wage costs), since such an advantage could be swiftly eliminated in an increasingly more globalised economy.

For this reason, the EU considers it necessary to introduce innovative measures to the regions in order to try and establish co-operation between the public sector and the bodies responsible for RTDI and businesses, with a view to creating efficient regional innovation systems. The aim is to encourage links not only between enterprises, but also with the universities, advisory services, financial markets and other technology partners. In other words, it is a matter of establishing an environment and a regional institutional framework, which will promote, by reinforcing human capital, the creation, dissemination and integration of knowledge within the productive fabric as a principal source of innovation and competitive advantage.

Following on from the Regional Foresight exercise carried out under the Innovation Actions round 1 phase a number of regional issues were outlined. The BMW Assembly applied for and received approval in 2005 to address these issues. This new €1.8m regional programme entitled 'Resourcing information and technology transfer in the BMW region' will run from 2006 to 2008 and will provide supports aimed at raising the region's research and development capacity & levels of innovation as well as strengthening academic and industrial linkages. The programme will be rolled out under the following pilot initiatives: -

1. Research based briefings for high growth companies in the BMW region
2. Technology partnership initiatives between research centres and industry, both within and beyond the region.
3. A research vouchers scheme where-by firms can apply for and avail of specific research services using an incentivised vouchers scheme.
4. A food technology transfer programme that will provide technical support services to small and medium sized food businesses in the BMW region.
5. An innovation management training initiative aimed at improving management and innovation planning skills among small business leaders.

Techlink:

The Midland Regional Authority is involved with Westbic and the Western Regional Authority in an EU project aimed at contributing to the social and economical development of the regions involved by promoting a culture of innovation and exchange of developments among them, strengthening the competitiveness of the area and increasing transfer of technological innovation.