Smart specialisation and Europe’s growth agenda

Smart specialisation is a strategic approach to regional smart growth and economic. Each region, whether it be strong or weak, high-tech or low-tech, goes through a transformative process which involves:

+ Developing a vision for growth
+ Identifying its competitive advantage
+ Setting strategic priorities
+ Making use of smart policies and actions.

‘Research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation’ (RIS3), as they are known, will be the basis for investments in R&I under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) for the 2014-2020 period.

This brochure provides a brief overview of how these strategies and processes can be developed, and perspectives from political leaders at the the EU, national and regional levels on its importance for enhancing competitiveness and stimulating growth.

See also the related url hyperlink 'Regional policy for smart growth of SMEs - Guide for Managing Authorities and bodies in charge of the development and implementation of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation'.

European Commission: DG Regional Policy: Regional policy for smart growth of SMEs - Guide for Managing Authorities and bodies in charge of the development and implementation of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation, 2013 http://dx.publications.europa.eu/10.2785/47226

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