"Ciudades-Región globales. El nuevo papel de las autoridades urbanas y regionales en

la gestión de las políticas públicas"

Donosti-San Sebastian 1 Julio 2004Donosti-San Sebastian 1 Julio 2004

” ” LAS ORIENTACIONES DE LA NUEVA POLÍTICA REGIONAL LAS ORIENTACIONES DE LA NUEVA POLÍTICA REGIONAL EUROPEA PARA EL PERÍODO 2007-2013 EN RELACIÓN CON EUROPEA PARA EL PERÍODO 2007-2013 EN RELACIÓN CON

LAS CIUDADES REGIÓN GLOBALESLAS CIUDADES REGIÓN GLOBALES ” ”

Dr. Mikel Landabaso Dr. Mikel Landabaso

EU Commission, DG Regio A1EU Commission, DG Regio A1

mikel.landabaso@cec.eu.intmikel.landabaso@cec.eu.int

The new financial perspectives 2007-13: the budgetary debate and its influence on Cohesion Policy

Keeping the current expenditure ceiling (1.24% of Keeping the current expenditure ceiling (1.24% of the Union's GNI) – 1.14 for appropriations for the Union's GNI) – 1.14 for appropriations for paymentspayments

Four political priorities for the Union:Four political priorities for the Union:

1.1. Sustainable growth: competitiveness 193% and Sustainable growth: competitiveness 193% and cohesion (for growth and employment) 31%cohesion (for growth and employment) 31%

2.2. Conservation and management of natural Conservation and management of natural resources 3%resources 3%

3.3. Citizenship, freedom, security and justice 162%Citizenship, freedom, security and justice 162%

4.4. The EU – a global partner 40%The EU – a global partner 40%

The new financial perspectives 2007-13: the budgetary debate and its influence on Cohesion Policy• Cohesion Policy = 34% of EU budget (€ 336 billion Cohesion Policy = 34% of EU budget (€ 336 billion for the period 2007-2013)for the period 2007-2013)

• A credible and realistic proposal: 0.41% of Union GNI A credible and realistic proposal: 0.41% of Union GNI

• About 50-50 between current and new Member About 50-50 between current and new Member StatesStates

• 78% of the budget for regions and Member States 78% of the budget for regions and Member States lagging behind in developmentlagging behind in development

• 18% for regional competitiveness and employment 18% for regional competitiveness and employment objective: adjustment variable?objective: adjustment variable?

• 4% for the territorial cooperation objective4% for the territorial cooperation objective

Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

ENEN

Third Cohesion

report

Third Cohesion

report

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

0,00

0,05

0,10

0,15

0,20

0,25

0,30

0,35

0,40

Rural development deductions

Expenditure in EU15 (left axis)

Expenditure in N12 (left axis)EUR million (at 1999 prices)

BRU4711

Expenditure on cohesion policy, 2000-2013

Source: DG REGIO

Expenditure in EU15 as % of GNI in EU27 (right axis)

Expenditure in N12 as % of GNI in EU27 (right axis)

% of GNI% of GNI

A new economic rationale for the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective: exploiting underutilized resourcesFrom a problem centred to an opportunity centred From a problem centred to an opportunity centred

approach: reduce disparities (art. 158)…and exploit approach: reduce disparities (art. 158)…and exploit latent resources wherever they arelatent resources wherever they are

Solidarity and competitiveness: the two sides of the Solidarity and competitiveness: the two sides of the same coinsame coin

OECD (Conclusions of the Chair, High level Meeting, Martigny, OECD (Conclusions of the Chair, High level Meeting, Martigny, Switzerland, July 2003) “Both global economic growth and Switzerland, July 2003) “Both global economic growth and social cohesion require increasing the competitiveness of social cohesion require increasing the competitiveness of

regions, especially where potential is highest. regions, especially where potential is highest. The The comparative advantages that drive innovation and investment comparative advantages that drive innovation and investment

are as much a regional characteristic as a national one. For are as much a regional characteristic as a national one. For regions to succeed, they must harness their own mix of regions to succeed, they must harness their own mix of

assets, skills and ideas to compete in a global market and assets, skills and ideas to compete in a global market and develop unused potential.”develop unused potential.”

Eastern

Vaestsverige

Lisboa

Limburg

Piemonte

Pohjois-

SuomiIle De

France

Pais Vasco

Attiki

Baden-Wuerttemberg

Vlaams Gewest

Wales

Smaaland

Med

OearnaAcores

Flevoland

CalabriaAalandCorseCanariasNotioMecklenburg-

Vorpommern

Brussels

-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

B D EL E F FIN I NL P S UK

"Top" region Country mean "Bottom" region EU mean

Regional disparities in Europe in business expenditures on R&D (BERD)(% of GDP)

A new economic rationale for the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective: a regional and partnership approach "Reinforcing partnership by improving participation, "Reinforcing partnership by improving participation, regions in particular…" regions in particular…"

O.P. at regional level NUTS I or IIO.P. at regional level NUTS I or II

Delegate to urban authorities urban axis within O.P.Delegate to urban authorities urban axis within O.P.

Good regional governance and strengthened public-Good regional governance and strengthened public-private partnerships at the heart of the reform of private partnerships at the heart of the reform of Cohesion PolicyCohesion Policy

A regional approach as a matter of economic A regional approach as a matter of economic efficiency in the field of innovation: the need for efficiency in the field of innovation: the need for territorial proximity in SMEs promotionterritorial proximity in SMEs promotion

Understand and build upon the potential of every Understand and build upon the potential of every region: helping regions help themselvesregion: helping regions help themselves

R&D excellence v.s. Regional Innovation R&D excellence v.s. Regional Innovation

213 European regions: 8 European regions alone accounted 213 European regions: 8 European regions alone accounted for 25% GERD, 31 regions accounted for 50% of this for 25% GERD, 31 regions accounted for 50% of this expenditure, half of all patent applications for high expenditure, half of all patent applications for high

technology concentrated in just 13 core regions.technology concentrated in just 13 core regions.

CIS: Half of the enterprises in the EU’s manufacturing sector CIS: Half of the enterprises in the EU’s manufacturing sector were innovators, with north-south disparities ranging from were innovators, with north-south disparities ranging from over 67% in Ireland, Denmark, Germany and Austria to less over 67% in Ireland, Denmark, Germany and Austria to less

than 30% in Spain and Portugal.than 30% in Spain and Portugal.

Firms and organisations from Objective 1 regions participate Firms and organisations from Objective 1 regions participate in only 14% of all EU R&D Framework Programme with SMEs in only 14% of all EU R&D Framework Programme with SMEs

receiving less than 15% of the total budgetreceiving less than 15% of the total budget

Finland, Austria, Belgium, France, Denmark and Germany give Finland, Austria, Belgium, France, Denmark and Germany give between 2 and 3 times more state aid to R&D per person between 2 and 3 times more state aid to R&D per person

employed in manufacturing than Spain, and nearly 10 times employed in manufacturing than Spain, and nearly 10 times more than Portugal and Greece more than Portugal and Greece

R&D expenditures

High-Tech employment and EPO patents applications

R&D personnel

A territorially-based, systemic approach A territorially-based, systemic approach versus a narrow high-tech and sectoral versus a narrow high-tech and sectoral

approachapproach

The "regional systems approach": more money for The "regional systems approach": more money for innovation – help tap under-utilised potential, SMEs innovation – help tap under-utilised potential, SMEs in particular, wherever it exists.in particular, wherever it exists.

OECD (Conclusions of the Chair, High level Meeting, Martigny, OECD (Conclusions of the Chair, High level Meeting, Martigny, Switzerland, July 2003) “Both global economic growth and Switzerland, July 2003) “Both global economic growth and social cohesion require increasing the competitiveness of social cohesion require increasing the competitiveness of

regions, especially where potential is highest. regions, especially where potential is highest. The The comparative advantages that drive innovation and comparative advantages that drive innovation and

investment are as much a regional characteristic as a investment are as much a regional characteristic as a national one. For regions to succeed, they must harness their national one. For regions to succeed, they must harness their

own mix of assets, skills and ideas to compete in a global own mix of assets, skills and ideas to compete in a global market and develop unused potential.”market and develop unused potential.”

European regional innovation European regional innovation policiespolicies

In order to achieve Lisbon: tap under-utilisedIn order to achieve Lisbon: tap under-utilised regional innovation potentialregional innovation potential

Cohesion and Competitiveness: the two sides of Cohesion and Competitiveness: the two sides of the same coin the same coin

An integrated territorial policy versus a narrow An integrated territorial policy versus a narrow Sectoral approachSectoral approach

An innovation policy of “proximity” which targets An innovation policy of “proximity” which targets SMEs in particularSMEs in particular

European regional innovation European regional innovation policiespolicies

Opening minds…vs…opening roadsOpening minds…vs…opening roads

Promoting innovation building on intangibles vs Promoting innovation building on intangibles vs traditional regional policies focusing on physical traditional regional policies focusing on physical

infrastructuresinfrastructures

Subsidiarity in action: helping regions help Subsidiarity in action: helping regions help themselvesthemselves

From top down ‘dirigisme’ to leadership in From top down ‘dirigisme’ to leadership in partnership with the private sectorpartnership with the private sector

Setting the foundations of regional innovation Setting the foundations of regional innovation systemssystems

Exploring new policy avenues to translate the Exploring new policy avenues to translate the Lisbon objectives into regional realitiesLisbon objectives into regional realities

New objectivesNew objectives

Policies must aim to make the region’s Policies must aim to make the region’s business more competitive internationally, business more competitive internationally, develop new higher added-value activities develop new higher added-value activities

and exploit new niche markets: and exploit new niche markets:

not to reduce financial burden on not to reduce financial burden on local local entrepreneurs,entrepreneurs,

but to bring businesses into but to bring businesses into networks networks where they can co-where they can co-operate,operate,

and have access to sources of and have access to sources of knowledge knowledge and technology.and technology.

New objectivesNew objectives

it is important to build an attractive it is important to build an attractive Regional Image on the region’s own identity Regional Image on the region’s own identity

in the global economy:in the global economy:

•consolidate and attract a pool of talents consolidate and attract a pool of talents

•effectively “sell” the quality of life and effectively “sell” the quality of life and their educational, technological and their educational, technological and

research environmentresearch environment

New objectivesNew objectives

Attract branch plants or qualified Attract branch plants or qualified professionals?professionals?

300 jobs in one "foreign" shot or 3*100 in 300 jobs in one "foreign" shot or 3*100 in "local" SMEs? A branch plant or a home "local" SMEs? A branch plant or a home

grown cluster?grown cluster?

““Bring your brains”…and your family Bring your brains”…and your family too…too…

we have the socio-economic environment we have the socio-economic environment and the policies to valorise themand the policies to valorise them

instead ofinstead of

“ “Bring your business to exploit our low Bring your business to exploit our low labour costs and benefit from our low labour costs and benefit from our low

taxes” = cut-throat regional competition taxes” = cut-throat regional competition (state aids war?)(state aids war?)

Vertical Disintegration of MNCs and Growing Importance of the Territorial Dimension

Enterprise

Evolution due to increased competition:

globalisation & accelerated technological change

Developing market

Microeconomy:Individual firm

Mesoeconomy : Regional Dimension Agglomeration economies,

clustering…based on :- Institutional Building- Intermediation: trust- cooperation and networking

Externalisation : outsourcing

Downsizing + Specialisation

Terciarisation

E¹ E² Intermediary

MarketMarket

Future market

M¹ M³M²

Rooting mobile investments as Rooting mobile investments as important as attracting themimportant as attracting them

Noble tasks (R&D and design) remain homeNoble tasks (R&D and design) remain home"Less than 10% of innovative activities of the "Less than 10% of innovative activities of the

world’s largest 500 companies are located outside world’s largest 500 companies are located outside their countries of origin " (Tidd et al, 1997 – quoted their countries of origin " (Tidd et al, 1997 – quoted

from COTEC 1998).from COTEC 1998).

Less and less MCs available to less favored regions Less and less MCs available to less favored regions in Europe (and losing jobs…)in Europe (and losing jobs…)

"Between 99-01 FDI in EU15 = 7% of GDP (2% from "Between 99-01 FDI in EU15 = 7% of GDP (2% from outside the EU) ranging from 20%in Ireland, 13% in outside the EU) ranging from 20%in Ireland, 13% in

Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden to 4% in Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden to 4% in Portugal and less than 1,5% in Spain and Italy"Portugal and less than 1,5% in Spain and Italy"

Rooting mobile investments as Rooting mobile investments as important as attracting themimportant as attracting them

Footloose branch plants which come…and go east…Footloose branch plants which come…and go east…and further eastand further east

"Since 1991 the "Since 1991 the German industryGerman industry has lost 36% of its has lost 36% of its jobs due to relocations to Eastern countries and/or jobs due to relocations to Eastern countries and/or

structural changes…German enterprises have created structural changes…German enterprises have created some 3 million jobs abroad; foreign enterprises created some 3 million jobs abroad; foreign enterprises created

some 0,9 million in Germany" (Dr. M. Wansleben, some 0,9 million in Germany" (Dr. M. Wansleben, Eurochambers 22nd January 2004)Eurochambers 22nd January 2004)

"In "In FranceFrance relocations are estimated at 10% of FDI relocations are estimated at 10% of FDI abroad (300 M€) between 1998-02'…Noyelles-Godault in abroad (300 M€) between 1998-02'…Noyelles-Godault in Nord-Pas de Calais (38 M€ in state social aid), Daewooo in Nord-Pas de Calais (38 M€ in state social aid), Daewooo in Metz, Altadis, JVC, Continental, Alcatel,…"(La Vangaurdia, Metz, Altadis, JVC, Continental, Alcatel,…"(La Vangaurdia,

29 December 2003) 29 December 2003) "... Competitive advantage based on factor costs... "... Competitive advantage based on factor costs...

is rapidly undone...A low-wage country today is is rapidly undone...A low-wage country today is quickly replaced by another tomorrow...” quickly replaced by another tomorrow...” M. Porter M. Porter

(1990) (1990) ..

New instrumentsNew instrumentsMicroeconomic levelMicroeconomic level

Facilitate business innovation:Facilitate business innovation:

•reducing time to market, increasing product rangereducing time to market, increasing product range•improve the efficiency of production cycles, improve the efficiency of production cycles,

•increasing quality, design, increasing quality, design, •innovation & knowledge management innovation & knowledge management

•etc… etc…

by appropriate ‘bridging/linking’ policies to by appropriate ‘bridging/linking’ policies to Knowledge & technology resources...Knowledge & technology resources...

Enterprise

SME

EEEEnterprise

SME

Big Firms

Public SectorNational/Regional

Administration

BusinessConsultants:

Services

Universities

TechnologyCentres

Finance-Banks

Val

ue C

hain

Clu

ster

sM

ento

ring

Sch

emes

...

Inno

vatio

nSu

ppor

t Sch

emes

Busin

ess I

nnov

atio

n

Centre

s

Innovation ManagementTechniquesTechnology AuditsTechnology Foresights

Intermediaries

Cluste

r

Polic

y…

Busin

ess

Foru

ms Seed C

apitalventure C

apitalB

usiness Angels

Technology T

ransfer

Projects

R&

D V

alorisation

Graduate Placem

ent

Schemes

University-Enterprise

Cooperation...

The Networked Economy

New instrumentsNew instrumentsMicroeconomic levelMicroeconomic level

Reduce entry barriers for Reduce entry barriers for businesses,promote entrepreneurship businesses,promote entrepreneurship

and provide “real business services” to and provide “real business services” to business networks business networks

in contrast toin contrast to

Public subsidies to individual businesses Public subsidies to individual businesses through non discriminatory automatic through non discriminatory automatic

programmes of state aid.programmes of state aid.

New instrumentsNew instrumentsMesoeconomic levelMesoeconomic level

Business climate that fosters the creation, Business climate that fosters the creation, dissemination dissemination and adaptation/adoption of and adaptation/adoption of knowledge (codified/tacit) knowledge (codified/tacit) that increases that increases the regional competitiveness & attractiveness.the regional competitiveness & attractiveness.

Social capital and institutional efficiency:Social capital and institutional efficiency:creating public-private partnerships, creating public-private partnerships, strengthening business co-operation networks strengthening business co-operation networks (clusters), better matching existing R&DTI (clusters), better matching existing R&DTI resources and infrastructures to business resources and infrastructures to business innovation demand…innovation demand…

A fragmented regional economy: Less favoured regions

RegionalGovernment

BusinessServices

SMEs

SMEs

Chamber ofCommerce

SMEs

SMEs

Largefirms

SMEs

Universities

TechnologyCenters

SectoralAssociations

SMEsSMEs

SMEs

SMEs

Largefirms

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

TechnologyConsultants

SMEs

SMEs

Largefirms

SMEs

SMEs

Regional economy

Regionalgovernment

Businessservices &tech. con-sultants

SMEs SMEs

Businessintermediaries:

Cham. of Comm.;Local Agencies

BICs

SMEs

Large firms;Tech. Centers;Sect. Associa-

tions

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

Cluster

Science base:Universities;Public R&D;Laboratories

TechnologyCenters

SectoralAssociations

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

Largefirms

SMEs

SMEs

SMEsValorisation of R&D and Tech. Transfer Office

SMEs

Glob

al econom

y

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEs SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

SMEsSMEs

SMEs SMEs

SMEs

SMEs

Op

en g

ate:

In

tern

atio

nal

tec

hn

olog

y tr

ansf

er

net

wor

ks

Op

en gate: In

ternation

al value ch

ains

Open gate: International business consultants & specialized business services

Open gate: International R&D/academic excellence networks

SMEs

SMEs

Regionaleconomy

R&TDI infrastructures and policies R&TDI infrastructures and policies are keyare key

In order to consolidate and attract a pool of talents In order to consolidate and attract a pool of talents an adequate education & training, technological an adequate education & training, technological

and research environment is of paramount and research environment is of paramount importance - there is no second best in R&D: importance - there is no second best in R&D: international excellence is the way forwardinternational excellence is the way forward

Leading (and "connected") Universities are a Leading (and "connected") Universities are a powerful attraction tool. They are the processing powerful attraction tool. They are the processing factories of the XXIs century's basic raw material: factories of the XXIs century's basic raw material:

brainpower.brainpower.

A responsive regional R&DI infrastructure A responsive regional R&DI infrastructure (knowledge base) to business demand is key(knowledge base) to business demand is key

"The history of industrial innovation indicates that new "The history of industrial innovation indicates that new businesses are usually spawned in the same place where businesses are usually spawned in the same place where

entrepreneurs receive their degrees" (Corporation for entrepreneurs receive their degrees" (Corporation for Enterprise Development, 1998)Enterprise Development, 1998)

Knowledge infrastructures

In search of "connected" In search of "connected" regionsregionsPhysical (distance = time*price)…Physical (distance = time*price)…

• A well connected International airport A well connected International airport • Good logistics: rail, road (sea), multimodal Good logistics: rail, road (sea), multimodal

accessibilityaccessibility• "Rururban" quality sites"Rururban" quality sites• No congestion or pollutionNo congestion or pollution

……as well as virtual connections: broadband or leave as well as virtual connections: broadband or leave

"Business-to-Business (‘B2B’) e-commerce is radically altering "Business-to-Business (‘B2B’) e-commerce is radically altering the way supply chains function and it is estimated at over the way supply chains function and it is estimated at over 200billion € in 2002 in Europe, a fourfold increase from the 200billion € in 2002 in Europe, a fourfold increase from the previous year." (Business Week, May 2003) previous year." (Business Week, May 2003)

" P" Plusieurs études auprès de petites et moyennes entreprises lusieurs études auprès de petites et moyennes entreprises ont révélé que dans certaines zones non desservies à ce jour, ont révélé que dans certaines zones non desservies à ce jour, plus de 30 % des entreprises prévplus de 30 % des entreprises prévoyaient de déménager en oyaient de déménager en cas d’absence d’une connexion à l’Internet cas d’absence d’une connexion à l’Internet large bande large bande d’ici d’ici

trois ans (étude de l’Observatoire Régional des trois ans (étude de l’Observatoire Régional des Télécommunications en France)Télécommunications en France)

Transport Accessibility

Regional image and social Regional image and social infrastructuresinfrastructures

An attractive Regional Image in the global economy pays – "the An attractive Regional Image in the global economy pays – "the Guggenheim effect":Guggenheim effect":

•Regional identity, values and attitudesRegional identity, values and attitudes

• A "mosaic" society and a place to work …and liveA "mosaic" society and a place to work …and live

•Effectively “sell” the quality of life:Effectively “sell” the quality of life:

Nature, health and education facilities, security, local culture, ..as Nature, health and education facilities, security, local culture, ..as well as leisure facilities, sun and sea (or snow) … also count well as leisure facilities, sun and sea (or snow) … also count

""Freedom of location increases thanks to ICTs will emphasize the Freedom of location increases thanks to ICTs will emphasize the significance of features of place"significance of features of place" (Talvitie, J. 2003) (Talvitie, J. 2003)

"Quality-of-place – particularly natural, recreational, and "Quality-of-place – particularly natural, recreational, and lifestyle amenities – is absolutely vital in attracting knowledge lifestyle amenities – is absolutely vital in attracting knowledge

workers and in supporting leading-edge high technology firms and workers and in supporting leading-edge high technology firms and industries"industries" ("Competing in the Age of Talent: quality of place and ("Competing in the Age of Talent: quality of place and

the new economy" Richard Florida, January 2000)the new economy" Richard Florida, January 2000)

New planning & implementation New planning & implementation systemssystems

The public sector as facilitator, broker, catalyst.The public sector as facilitator, broker, catalyst.

provide leadership, rather than controlprovide leadership, rather than control

promoter and catalyst for economic developmentpromoter and catalyst for economic development

not to be planned by a “enlightened” elite using a not to be planned by a “enlightened” elite using a “linear procedure’ (with expensive consultants)“linear procedure’ (with expensive consultants)

be amended on a permanent basis (‘learning by be amended on a permanent basis (‘learning by doing’): pilot experimentation and evaluation, taking doing’): pilot experimentation and evaluation, taking risks and learning from mistakes.risks and learning from mistakes.

have a very wide and multidisciplinary focus and have a very wide and multidisciplinary focus and permanently improving human capital through permanently improving human capital through education education and training.and training.

New planning & implementation New planning & implementation systemssystems

Such policies cannot be effectively developed:Such policies cannot be effectively developed:

– without the direct participation of the private without the direct participation of the private sector in sector in planning and in implementation planning and in implementation

without understanding and approaching the agendas without understanding and approaching the agendas of others active RTDI in the region, semi-public agencies, of others active RTDI in the region, semi-public agencies, technology centers, universities technology centers, universities and trade unions.and trade unions.

What measures European regions What measures European regions choose?choose?Technological innovation related Technological innovation related measures within PRAI 2001-2measures within PRAI 2001-2

SMEs innovation

projects with

Universities and

Technology Centres

(A181)

21%

Clusters and business

networks :

development of a

regional innovation

strategy (A182)

29%

Research, Technological

Development and

Innovation infrastructure

(A183)

2%

Business Advisory

services : Technology

forecasting and

Technology Audits in

SMEs (A163)

19%

Incubator units and

creation of technology

based firms (A164)

15%

Other Research, Technological Development

and Innovation projects (A180)

9%

Innovation f inancial engineering : seed and venture capital (A165)

5%

Proposed new Objective Proposed new Objective “Convergence”: “Convergence”:

contributing to the Lisbon Objectivescontributing to the Lisbon Objectives

Research and technological development (R&TD), Research and technological development (R&TD), innovation and entrepreneurship: innovation and entrepreneurship:

• strengthening of regional R&TDI capacities; strengthening of regional R&TDI capacities; • aid to industrial R&TD in SMEs aid to industrial R&TD in SMEs • technology transfer technology transfer • improvement of links between SMEs, universities improvement of links between SMEs, universities

and R&TDI centres and R&TDI centres • development of business networks and clustersdevelopment of business networks and clusters• support for the provision of business services to support for the provision of business services to

groups of SMEs groups of SMEs • fostering of entrepreneurship fostering of entrepreneurship • provision of innovation funding sources for SMEs provision of innovation funding sources for SMEs

Proposed new Objective “regional competitiveness Proposed new Objective “regional competitiveness and employment"and employment"

Support to the design and implementation of Support to the design and implementation of regional innovation strategies conducive to regional innovation strategies conducive to

efficient regional innovation systems: efficient regional innovation systems:

Enhancing regional R&TD and innovation capacities directly Enhancing regional R&TD and innovation capacities directly linked to regional economic development objectives by linked to regional economic development objectives by supporting industry or technology-specific competence supporting industry or technology-specific competence

centres; by promoting technology transfer; and by centres; by promoting technology transfer; and by developing technology forecasting and international developing technology forecasting and international

benchmarking of innovation promotion policies;benchmarking of innovation promotion policies;

Stimulating innovation in SMEs by promoting university-Stimulating innovation in SMEs by promoting university-enterprise cooperation networks; by supporting business enterprise cooperation networks; by supporting business networks and clusters of SMEs, and by facilitating SMEs’ networks and clusters of SMEs, and by facilitating SMEs’

access to advanced business support services; access to advanced business support services;

Promoting entrepreneurship by facilitating the economic Promoting entrepreneurship by facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas, and by fostering the creation exploitation of new ideas, and by fostering the creation

of new firms from universities and existing firms;of new firms from universities and existing firms;

Creating new financial instruments and incubation facilities Creating new financial instruments and incubation facilities conducive to the creation or expansion of technology-conducive to the creation or expansion of technology-

based firms.based firms.

Proposed new Objective “regional Proposed new Objective “regional competitiveness and employment"competitiveness and employment"

Environment and risk prevention: Environment and risk prevention:

• Rehabilitation of contaminated sites and landRehabilitation of contaminated sites and land

• Infrastructure linked to nature 2000 Infrastructure linked to nature 2000

• Energy efficiency and renewable energyEnergy efficiency and renewable energy

• Clean Urban transportClean Urban transport

• Prevention of natural and technological risksPrevention of natural and technological risks

Access, outside major urban centers, to transport Access, outside major urban centers, to transport and telecommunications networksand telecommunications networks