Research and innovation are key for sustainable and smart economic transformation. They are central to the EU's main objectives such as the green and digital transitions.
This is why, in 2010, the European Commission called on national and regional governments to develop Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) for research and innovation (R&I) to encourage all European regions to discover their competitive advantage. With Smart Specialisation, research and innovation are mainstreamed -for the first time as tools for regional development.
More than decade later, the concept has taken hold strongly in EU regional policy. Participation, prioritisation and localisation, the key pillars of S3, have been fully absorbed in regional development practice.
Smart specialisation has made a real difference in the way European regions are designing their innovation strategies, reinforcing cooperation at all levels.
Localisation
Prioritisation
Participation
In the new programming period 2021-2027, increasing attention has been placed on governance, with a new thematic enabling condition on "Good governance of national or regional smart specialisation strategy", made up of seven fulfilment criteria, namely:
S3 quotation in ERDF/CF Regulation
Support from the ERDF under policy objective 1 (PO 1) should be based on building capacities for smart specialisation strategies, which set priorities at national or regional level, or both, to increase their competitive advantage by developing and matching research and innovation strengths with business needs and necessary skills through an entrepreneurial discovery process [...]. As the governance process of smart specialisation is crucial for the quality of the strategy, the ERDF should provide support to developing and enhancing the capacities necessary for an efficient entrepreneurial discovery process and the preparation or updating of smart specialisation strategies.
S3 quotation in EC Communication on a New European Innovation Agenda
[...] over the new programming period 2021-2027, smart specialisation strategies will continue to “play a central role in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems so that they are better equipped to stimulate and sustain economic growth. They provide the framework for ERDF support for research and innovation to the tune of an estimated EUR 56 billion. Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms and partnerships have also become key tools for connecting innovators with similar or complementary strengths and priorities in all Member States and regions, including in technology areas that are key for the twin green and digital transition.
Foray, D., Eichler, M., & Keller, M. (2021). Smart specialization strategies—insights gained from a unique European policy experiment on innovation and industrial policy design. Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, 2, 83-103.
Hegyi, F. B., Guzzo, F., Perianez-Forte, I., & Gianelle, C. (2021). The Smart Specialisation Policy Experience: Perspective of National and Regional Authorities (No. JRC123918). Joint Research Centre (Seville site).
Gianelle, C., Guzzo, F., & Mieszkowski, K. (2019). Smart specialisation from concept to practice. Smart specialisation–JRC policy insights.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, (2021). Study on prioritisation in smart specialisation strategies in the EU : final report, Publications Office.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, (2022). Analysis of key parameters of smart specialisation strategies (S3) : final report, Publications Office of the European Union.
