The Smart Specialisation (S3) Forum 2023, organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya and the S3 Community of Practice Secretariat, concluded with resounding success on November 29, 2023.
- 04 December 2023
This first edition of the S3 Forum brought together over 340 in-person participants including S3 practitioners, experts, policymakers, and key stakeholders from across various European regions for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and valuable knowledge exchange.
"We are able to meet in person and have those valuable exchanges face-to-face" acknowledged Catherine Wendt, Head of Unit for Smart and Sustainable Growth at DG REGIO in her welcoming remarks setting the tone of this first gathering since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event, held in Barcelona, Spain, provided a unique platform for participants to delve into S3 policy and implementation issues, with a particular focus on the I3 Instrument and the Regional Innovation Valleys Initiative. Plenary sessions, featuring speakers from the European Commission, managing authorities, and governmental bodies implementing S3, offered a comprehensive policy update and explored the interplay with clusters.
Highlights of the S3 Forum included:
- Policy Updates: The latest developments related to the I3 Instrument and the Regional Innovation Valleys Initiative, and their interplay with clusters were presented, providing valuable insights for S3 stakeholders.
- S3 Community of Practice Developments: Participants were briefed on the latest activities within the S3 CoP, including working groups, expert groups, and support to the Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships. The launch of the S3 Observatory was also announced as an important service that provides an important overview serving as a central repository of information for S3s across the EU.
- Networking Opportunities: The event provided ample opportunities for participants to engage with like-minded S3 stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and exploring common opportunities.
- Dedicated Breakout Sessions: Specialized sessions zoomed in on the S3 fulfilment criteria, featuring presentations on the latest activities within the S3 CoP and regional experiences.
- Lessons Learned and Experiences: Successful region-led consortia shared their lessons learned and experiences with the I3 and EIE initiatives, contributing to the collective knowledge base.
While the S3 Forum took place as a physical event in Barcelona, plenary sessions were broadcast live online for a broader audience. Breakout sessions were exclusively organized physically, allowing participants to engage in in-depth discussions on regional experiences and best practices.
The success of the S3 Forum extended beyond the main event, with a set of side events on November 29, including the Steering committee meeting for the S3 Thematic Platforms and meetings of working groups on innovation diffusion, interregional collaboration, and industrial transition. The Generalitat de Catalunya hosted a side event titled "Catalunya's S3 in action: Shared Agendas explained by their main players," where the regional government and key stakeholders detailed the creation and implementation of RIS3CAT Shared Agendas, recognized as good practices across the EU.
The success of the Smart Specialisation (S3) Forum 2023 underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing regional development across Europe through innovative policies and practices.