Regional Innovation Excellence in Greece

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Regional
Innovation
Excellence
in Greece
Christos Bezirtzoglou

ERDF 2000 - 2006

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CONTENTS
Foreword 8
Editorial 10
Chapter 1 - The EU strategy for Innovation 13
1.1 TheLisbonStrategy 13
1.2 TheSustainableDevelopmentStrategy 14
1.3 Theregionaldimension 14
1.4 DirectorateGeneralforRegionalPolicy 15
1.5 RegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions 16
1.6 InnovativeActionscontributiontoLisbonandGothenburg 16
1.7 InnovativeActionscontributiontogoodgovernance 16
1.8 DefnitionsofInnovation 17
Chapter 2 - The Regional Strategies for Innovation 19
2.1 DGRegionalPolicy:Fromprojectstoprogrammes 20
2.1.1TheRISfamily(RTT,RTP,RIS,RIS+) 21
2.1.2TheRISIfamily(IRISI,RISI1,RISI2,RISI+) 21
2.2 DGEmployment:TheArticle6projects 22
2.3 DGFisheries:Trans-nationalprojectsforInnovativeActions 22
2.4 DGEnterpriseprojects 23
2.4.1TheRITTSfamily(RITTS,TRIP) 23
2.4.2TheRIS-NACfamily 23
2.5 DGResearchinitiatives 23
Chapter 3 - The Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions 25
3.1The2000-2006programmingperiod 25
3.2Thethreestrategicthemesforregionaldevelopment 26
3.3TheEuropeanRegionalInnovationAwards 26
3.4Addedvalue 27
3.5Thechallengesofthefuture 27
Chapter 4 - Regional Innovation in Greece 29
4.1 PRAIFinancialData 29
4.1.1 Budget 29
4.1.2 ERDFcontribution 30
4.1.3 Privateco-fnancing 30
4.2 PRAIInterregionalcomparison 30
4.2.1 Coverage 30
4.2.2 Budget 30
4.2.3 Numberofactions 31
4.2.4 TheGreekentriesoftheEuropeanRegionalInnovationAwards 32
4.3 PRAIProposedactions 32
4.3.1 TechnologicalInnovation 33
4.3.2 RegionalIdentityandSustainableDevelopment 34
4.3.3 InformationSociety 35
4.4 Educational&ResearchPolesofExcellence 35
4.4.1 RegionalDevelopmentInstitute 35
4.4.2 URENIO 36
4.4.3 MATER 37
4.5 Thechallengeofmainstreaminginnovation 37
4.6 TheManagementFactor 38
Chapter 5 - Innovation Networks and Resources 39
5.1 NetworksundertheInnovativeActionsumbrella 39
5.1.1 ERIK25 39
5.1.2 IANIS26 40
5.1.3 EuropeanRegionalSustainableDevelopment27 40
5.1.4 GreekmembersoftheInnovativeActionsNetworks 41
5.2 Nationalinnovationnetworks 41
5.3 GreekRegionalInnovationNetworks 41
5.3.1 TheHellenicRITTS/RISnetwork 41
5.3.2 TheNationalInnovationNetwork(RINO) 42
5.4 OtherEUresourcesoninnovation 43
5.4.1 TheCORDISInnovationportal 43
5.4.2 TheIREThematicNetworks 43
5.4.3 TheRINNOdatabase 44
5.4.4 TheTrendChartonInnovationinEurope 44
5.4.5 TheInnovationRelayCentresNetwork 45
5.4.6 BusinessandInnovationCentres&theEuropeanBICNetwork 45
5.4.7 ISTResultsService 45
5.4.8 PAXIS 46
5.4.9 IPRHelpdesk 46
5.4.10TheGate2GrowthInitiative 46
5.5 Nationalsupportforinnovation 47
5.5.1 TANEO 47
Annex I: 49
Maps 49
NetworkofInnovativeActions 49
RegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions2001-2006 49
Annex II: 50
Glossaryofterms 50
Annex III: 52
Abbreviations 52
Annex IV: 53
SummariesoftheGreekRegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions 53
IntroductiontoRegionalInnovation 54
Hellenic Regions 55
KnowledgeClustersinWestMacedonia 56
TechnogenesisinRegionEasternMacedonia&Thrace 58
ExcellenceinCentralMacedonia 60
InnovativeVenturesinThessaly 62
EntrepeneurshipThroughInnovationinEpirus 64
InnovationintheIonianIslands 66
InnovativeActionsintheregionofWesternGreece 68
RegionalInnovationinStereaEllada 70
RegionalInnovationforPeloponnese 72
InformationSocietyfortheQualityofLifeintheRegionofAttica 74
NorthAegeanInnovativeActions&Support 76
InnovationforSustainableTourismandServicesintheSouthAegean 78
CReteINNOvativeRegion 80
NotaBene 82
Acknowledgements 82
Epilogue 83
87
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|c.o.c.J
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K
nowledge Clusters, the Regional Program of Innovative Actions in
WesternMacedonia,isaworthyendeavourtoknowledge-basedsoci-
ety.Themaineffortsoftheprogrammefocusuponthefollowingprinciples:
Re-conversion of the traditional cost-based clusters into knowledge-
basedclusters
Developmentofnewclustersbasedonthecreationandaccumulationof
knowledge
ImprovementofthecompetitivenessofregionalS.M.E.sclusters,through
horizontalpilotactionsthatsignifcantlyassistandsustaintheclustersef-
forts.
Thesedirectionshavethecapacitytostrengthenthecreativityandproductiv-
ityandboosttheregionalentrepreneurshiptowardsabrighterfuture.Inthat
sense,KnowledgeClustersisevenmoreimportant,asitwillpavethewayfor
other regional attempts to overcome the structural deficit of an Objective 1
Regionandsecureitssustainabledevelopment.
AstheseeffortsaremoreorlessalsoundertakenbyalltheotherGreekRegions,
weconsideritveryimportanttobroadenourhorizons,byprovidingacollec-
tion of short description of all these Innovative Actions in our country. This
poolofexamples,coveringawidespectrumofstrategiesandpilotactions,will
providetheCoordinatorsoftheActionsofourProgramwithfurtherideasand
concepts,but,atthesametime,itwillgivetheGreekRegionstheopportunity
toknowmoreaboutthevariousInnovativePrograms.
Thus,Ihopethatthispublicationwillcontributetowardstheincreaseofknowl-
edgeforallactorsinvolvedintheInnovationprocessandthatthiswillprovide
anewperspectivefortheregionaleconomiesandserveasanexampleforfur-
therfutureinterventionsinothersectorsandfieldsofactivity.
AndreasLeoudis
GeneralSecretary-RegionofDytikiMakedonia
10
|J|tc.|.|
11
I
would like to welcome you to Regional Innovation Excellence in Greece
thefirstpublicationthatbringstogetherallthethirteenapprovedregional
programmesofinnovativeactionsandpresentstheirachievementstodate.In
thefollowingpagesyouwillfindthatprogrammesareintroducedunderthree
themesalthoughitistruethatwedothemaninjusticebysuggestingtheyonly
workwithoneofthesethemes!
Alltheprogrammeshavebeengatheredintoaportfolio:Acollectionthatwould
beincompleteifanyofthemweremissing.Readingthroughthefollowingpag-
es,Ihopeyouwillbeabletoseetheinterrelationsanddependenciesbetween
thedifferentprogrammes.Smallstepsinthemselves,eachprogrammeprovide
avitalcontributiontoaneffortthathasputtheregionsattheforefrontofde-
velopingintegratedeconomic,environmentalandsocialactions.Innovationis
andwillremaininthefutureourguidingprinciple.
ThegoalsoftheGreekRegionalProgrammesanditsInnovativeActionsareas
varied and interesting as the country: A country that includes extremes from
themostremoteislandstosomeofEuropesfastestdevelopingcities.Oneof
the great strengths of the Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions is that
theyallowustoseebeyondsuchobviousdifferencestotheunderlyingchal-
lengesandopportunitiesthatuniteGreece.Theyallowpartnerstocooperate
as equals in the development of the regions and recognise that many of the
problemstheyfacecanonlybeaddressedeffectivelythroughjointaction.The
Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions provides an effective framework
and their actions are a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of this ap-
proach.
This publication, however, only has space for a brief summary of the pro-
grammes.Thosewhowanttoknowmoreshouldvisittheindividualprogramme
websiteswheretheywillfindmuchmoreinformationandcontactdetailsfor
everyprogrammeandaction.
Personally,Iamproudofallprogrammesandtheinnovativesolutionstheyare
findingtoproblemsthatconcernusall.Iamconvincedthatyouwillenjoyread-
ingabouttheworkoftheGreekregions.Ihopealsothatyouwillbeinspired
tospreadthewordabouttheirresultsandsupporttheminthefuturesothat
everyregionofEuropecanbenefit.
ChristosBezirtzoglou
Co-ordinatorforGreece2004-2005
EuropeanCommission
RegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions
12
13
|.pto. 1

|o || st..togv |c. |rrcv.t|cr
As Europe continues its quest to remain a competitive player on the world

stage, the investment in the renewal of capacity and capabilities becomes
evermore important. The heralded knowledge society has not reached all
Europeans in an equal manner, neither have the benefits been reaped by all.
Regional disparities have continued to grow in most European countries and
thedifferencescanbeparticularlyacutebetweenthegreatEuropeancitiesand
thoseareasthatareremote,sufferingfromthedeclineoftraditionalindustries
orpredominantlyrural.
It is unlikely that economic prosperity can be pursued in isolation from other
policies. The European approach to sustainable development, set out in the
Lisbon - Gothenburg strategy, aims to work towards achieving adevelop-
ment model by focusing on competitiveness, jobs and solidarity between re-
gions and between generations.
1
Measures that help re-address imbalances
betweenregionsarethusseentobenefitEuropeasawhole.
Itisagainstthisbackdropthatthispublicationseekstoassessthelonger-term
impactofthethen-groundbreakingconceptofdevelopingregionalstrategies
topromoteinnovationinregionsthatwereatriskofbeingleftbehind.
1.1TheLisbonStrategy
2
InMarch2000theLisbonCouncillaunchedtheEUsdecadelongstrategyfor
economic,socialandenvironmentalrenewal.Theobjectiveistomakeby2010
theEUthemostdynamicandcompetitiveknowledgebasedeconomyinthe
world,capableofsustainableeconomicgrowthwithmoreandbetterjobsand
greatersocialcohesion.
The Lisbon strategy involves a comprehensive, coherent and mutually rein-
forcing set of actions designed to transform the performance of the EU and
(
1
)
Romano Prodi, First President of the Euro-
pean Commission circa EU-25, European
Parliament, Strasbourg, 5 May 2004
(
2
)
Website for information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/lisbon_
strategy/index_en.html
14
deliversustainabledevelopment.Itaimsatimprovingconditionsforhighnon-
inflationarygrowthbytargetingactionssuchasreformsoflabour,service,and
productmarkets;promotinginvestmentinknowledgeandinnovation;actions
tocurbenvironmentalpressuresandpreservenaturalresources;andreinforc-
ingtheinteractionbetweentheLisbonstrategyandmacroeconomicpolicies.
Progress on the Lisbon targets are reviewed every year at the Spring Council
withasetof42structuralindicatorscoveringareassuchasgeneraleconomic
background, employment, innovation and research, economic reform, social
cohesionandenvironment.
The Structural Funds are geared to bring improvements in competitiveness
andqualityoflifebysupportinginvestmentsintheassistedregions.Thestruc-
turalfundsinmanyregionssupporttheimplementationoftheLisbonstrategy
throughtheinvestmentsfinanced.
1.2TheSustainableDevelopmentStrategy
3
Theconceptofsustainabledevelopmentreferstoaformofeconomicgrowth
whichsatisfiessocietysneedsintermsofwell-beingintheshort,mediumand
-aboveall-longterm.Itisfoundedontheassumptionthatdevelopmentmust
meet todays needs without jeopardizing the prospects for growth of future
generations.
Theprincipleofintegratingenvironmentalconcernsintotheformulationand
implementationofotherpolicies,whichisessentialifwearetoachievesustain-
abledevelopment,wasconfirmedintheMaastrichtTreaty.
TheEuropeanUnionstrategyforsustainabledevelopmentwasadoptedinthe
GothenburgEuropeanCouncilinJune2001.
1.3Theregionaldimension
Atthedawnofthethirdmillennium,theEuropeanUnionsregionsarefacing
majornewchallenges.Competitionamongfirmshasgrowngreatlyinthewake
ofworldtradeliberalization.Firmsestablishthemselveswherevertheyfindthe
best conditions to increase their competitiveness (high-quality infrastructure
and services, skilled workers). The least prepared regions must be helped to
secureinfrastructureandmodernandefficientserviceswhichcanmakethem
moreattractive.
The technological revolution and the information society require businesses
and citizens in the Union to very rapidly adapt to a constantly changing situ-
ation. If they are to do so, the inhabitants of all the regions must be able to
accessthemostadvancedknow-howthroughtelecommunicationsnetworks,
innovationandhigh-qualitytraining.
The intensification of competition, the globalization of the economy and the
growingdynamismintheareaofinnovationarecoretopicsintodayspolitical
discussions.Itisthecasethattheglobalizationoftheeconomygoeshandin
handwiththeincreasingsignificanceofregionalandlocalactivities.
Thereiseveryreasontobelievethatthesuccessofaninnovationresultstems
from the interplay between global and local processes. The competitiveness
of a region itself depends to an increasing degree on its capacity for innova-
tion.Successfulregionsunderstandhowtolinkintelligentlylocalandregional
protagonists such as enterprises, universities, research institutions, associa-
(
3
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/press_room/
presspacks/sustdev/index_en.htm
15
(
4
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_
policy/index_en.htm
tions,politicsandadministrationinordertobundletheknow-howdistributed
amongstindividualsandtopropagateandtransferitintonewproducts,proc-
essesandservices.
Why does EU promote regional programmes? Simply because in the increas-
ingly knowledge-based economy, innovation holds the key to regional com-
petitiveness
1.4DirectorateGeneralforRegionalPolicy
4
TheEuropeanUnionsregionalpolicyisbasedonfinancialsolidarityinasmuch
aspartofMemberStatescontributionstotheCommunitybudgetgoestothe
less prosperous regions and social groups. For the 2000-2006 period, these
transferswillaccountforonethirdoftheCommunitybudget,or213billion.
TheStructuralFundsconcentrateonclearlydefinedpriorities:
70% of the funding goes to regions whose development is lagging
behind.They are home to 22% of the population of the Union (Ob-
jective1);
11.5%ofthefundingassistseconomicandsocialconversioninareasex-
periencingstructuraldifculties.18%ofthepopulationoftheUnionlives
insuchareas(Objective2);
12.3% of the funding promotes the modernisation of training systems
andthecreationofemployment(Objective3)outsidetheObjective1re-
gionswheresuchmeasuresformpartofthestrategiesforcatchingup.
TherearealsofourCommunityInitiativesseekingcommonsolutionstospecific
problems.Theyspend5.35%ofthefundingfortheStructuralFundson:
cross-border,transnationalandinterregionalcooperation(InterregIII);
sustainabledevelopmentofcitiesanddecliningurbanareas(UrbanII);
ruraldevelopmentthroughlocalinitiatives(Leader+);
combatinginequalitiesanddiscriminationinaccesstothelabourmarket
(Equal).
Thereisaspecialallocationoffundsfortheadjustmentoffisheriesstructures
outsidetheObjective1regions(0.5%).
There are also provisions for innovative actions to promote and experiment
withnewideasondevelopment(0.51%).
TheroleoftheEuropeanUnionisnotmerelylimitedtofinancialcontributions.
Throughitsregionalpolicy,theCommunitytakesitsownviewondevelopment
workplannedatlocallevel.Wherenecessary,itcomplementstheinternalmar-
ketandeconomicandmonetaryunion.
ItwasessentialforMemberStatesandregionstorecognisethatitwasintheir
interesttotaketheirfutureintotheirownhandsandmanagethemselvesthe
fundsprovidedbytheUnion.Nowthemainresponsibilityforthemanagement
and supervision of expenditure will be theirs; the Commission will intervene
onlytocheckthateffectiveauditsystemsareinplace.
TheEuropeanUnionaimsatcapitalizingonitsdiversitywhilstpromotingthe
coordinationanddisseminationofgoodpractice.
16
1.5 RegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions
ThenewEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF)InnovativeActionsaimto
enhanceinnovationactivitiesinallEU-15regionsaswellastheiruseofnewinfor-
mation and communication technologies.The Innovative Actions focus on three
strategicthemes:
developmentoftheregionaleconomybasedonknowledgeandtechnologi-
calinnovationinordertohelptheregionsdeveloptheircompetitiveassets
informationsocietyservingregionaldevelopmentinordertocontributeto
theopening-upoftheregionsbyreducingtheirhandicapsanddeveloping
theirassets
regionalidentityandsustainabledevelopmentinordertoraisethestandard
oflivingandworkingenvironmentofinhabitantsaswellastopromotethe
integrationoftheSMEsinthemarket
AllEU-15NUTSlevel2regionswereeligibletosubmitprogrammeproposals,fo-
cusingonasinglestrategicthemeoronacombinationofthem.EUcontribution
perregionalprogrammerangesfrom300,000to3million.TheERDFco-fund-
ingratevariesfrom80%inObjective1regionsto50%inallotherareas.
Keyissuesaretheinnovativenessoftheproposalfortheregionandthetransfer-
abilityoftheresultstothemainstreamprogrammes.
Inadditiontotheregionalprogrammes,threenetworks,oneoneachtheme,have
beenlaunchedtofosterco-operationbetweenregionsandshareexperiencesand
goodpractices.
1.6 Innovative Actions contribution to Lisbon and Gothen-
burg
As shown by the European Innovation Scoreboard of November 2003, the in-
novation gap is currently deepening within and outside the EU. For the regions,
theprogrammesofinnovativeactionshavebeencatalystsandlaboratoriesforex-
perimentationtoexaminehowtheirfutureregionalplanningcanbere-oriented
tofulfiltheLisbonandGothenburgobjectives.Fortheleast-developedregionsit
has been particularly important that they should have an opportunity to experi-
mentinthethreestrategicthemesonofferwhicharetraditionallyunder-funded
incomparisontoothertypesofneedssuchasthoseconcernedwithinfrastructure.
Itisvitalthatregionsdonotsucceedinclosingthecohesiongaponlytoseethe
technologygapwidening.
In some regions, particularly the less favoured ones, this discussion between re-
gionalstakeholdersonastrategicapproachtoinnovationissuestookplaceforthe
firsttimeasfewregionshadclearinnovationpoliciesatthatstage.Thishashelped
theregionsdevelopacoherentapproachtoinnovationandsustainabledevelop-
mentashorizontalprioritiesunderpinningallareasofactivitythatwillsecurethe
long-termcompetitivenessoftheregion.
1.7InnovativeActionscontributiontogoodgovernance
OneofthemostinterestingfeaturesoftheRegionalProgrammesofInnovative
Actionsisthefactthattheyhavebeendesignedandmanageddirectlybythere-
gions without any national implication in the decision-making process. Regional
governments have taken full responsibility for improving conditions crucial for
1
their future competitiveness. This responsibility has been taken by regional
governmentsincooperationwiththeirlocalstakeholders.
To prepare their proposal, most regions launched a preliminary consultation
with key regional stakeholders public and private - on what should be the
priority actions to be supported to foster innovation, information society or
sustainable development in the region. Once their programme had been se-
lected,mostregionssetinplacenotonlyasteeringcommitteewithallthese
key stakeholders but also working groups on specific issues. Indeed, good
governanceappearsasastrongsuccessfactorofRegionalInnovativeActions
Programmes.
Ithasbeenencouragingseeingthecommitmentstoandthefinancialpartici-
pationoftheprivatesectorinsuchprogrammeswhichare,bynature,strategic
andpolicy-makinginstruments.
1.8DefnitionsofInnovation
Theterminnovationrelatesbothtoaprocessanditsresult.Innovationisthe
transformationofanideainamarketableproductorservice,functionalmeth-
odofproductionordistribution-neworimproved-orevenanewmethodfor
supplyingservices.
When innovation relates to process, the emphasis is given in the way the in-
novation is invented and produced, in the various stages which lead to the
innovation (creativity, marketing, research and development, planning, pro-
ductionanddistribution)andtotheirinterdependence.Itisnotalinearproc-
ess with clearly delimited phases, but a system of interactions andreversible
movements between various operations and various factors, through which,
the experience, the knowledge and the know-how are strengthened and en-
richedmutually.Thisexplainsthecontinuouslygreaterimportanceattributed
to the mechanisms of interactions in the enterprise (collaboration between
various units, workers participation in the organisational innovation), and in
the networks that connect the enterprise with its environment (other enter-
prises, services of support, centres of know-how, inquiring laboratories etc.).
The connection with the users, the evaluation of expressed demand, the reli-
ablemarketsforecastandsocietyneedshavealsoequallygreat-ifnotgreater
-importancewiththeexcellentknowledgeoftechnologies.
When innovation relates to result, the importance falls in the new product,
method or service. In this way we distinguish the radical innovation and the
incremental innovation, which alters, with progressive improvements, the
products,themethodsortheservices.
Theappearanceofnewproducts,methodsorservicesmayconcernallfieldsof
activities,traditionalorhightechnology,publicorcommercial,industrial,agri-
culturalortertiary.Innovationmayalsoconcerntheservicesofcommoninter-
est or public benefit: public health, administrative processes, organisation of
postalservicesorpubliceducation.Innovationisnotnecessarilysynonymous
to(high)technology,despitethefactthatitmakesitsappearancemoreoften
intheindustrialequipment,thematerials,thesoftware(incorporatedtechnol-
ogy)andthemethods.Aconsiderableamountofinnovationsresultsfromnew
combinations of well known elements or from new usages or even, from the
creativityintheproductsdesign.
InnovationwasdefinedbytheEuropeanCommission1995GreenPaperonin-
novationasbeingtherenewalandenlargementoftherangeofproductsand
18
servicesandtheassociatedmarkets,theestablishmentofnewmethodsofpro-
duction,supplyanddistribution,theintroductionofchangesinmanagement,
workorganisation,andtheworkingconditionsandskillsoftheworkforce.
Innovation is not therefore a self-contained linear process, but involves a
number of actors such as businesses, research centres and political decision-
makers.Italsorequiresthecreationofsynergiesbetweendifferentpolicies,such
asenterprisepolicy,trainingpolicyandRTDpolicy.Inaddition,incorporating
innovation into the EUs different policies would help strengthen companies,
which are at the core of the innovation process. Successful cooperation with
other companies and the public authorities calls for the creation ofclusters,
whicharegeographicconcentrationsofcomplementary,interdependent,but
yetcompetingenterprises.
Much scientific and technological knowledge i.e. systematic and applicable
codified knowledge is produced through R&D and can lead to innovation.
However, innovation can also flow from other tacit types of knowledge and
cognitiveabilitiesstoredorresidinginindividuals,groupsororganisations,and
from the activities they undertake.These, together with codified knowledge,
are described by the term intellectual capital. Intellectual capital can be in-
creasedthroughresearch,training,networkingandotherlearning,creativeand
knowledgeexchangeprocesses.Inventionthenovel,non-obviouscreationof
knowledgecanequallywellresultfromexperimentationasfromdeliberate
R&D.Thestillbroadernotionofintangiblecapital,includesallfurtherformsof
capitalnotembodiedinmattersuchasthevalueofnetworks,accesstomarkets,
marketingstrategies,managementtechniques,organisationalstructures,and
various types of social capital. All of these can constitute important potential
investmenttargetsandsourcesofinnovation,and,forthemostpart,lieoutside
thetraditionalremitofR&D.
Innovationistheoutcomeofdifferentproximities,suchasgeographical,rela-
tionships,technological,infrastructureandsocialcapital.
19
|.pto. 2

|o |og|cr.| St..tog|os |c. |rrcv.t|cr
The main EU initiatives to encourage regional innovation strategies players,
since 1994, per programming period, including a break-down for Greece, are
depictedinthefollowingtable:
Programming
Period
Project-based
(No of projects)
Programme-based
(No of regions)
Data for Greece
(No of regions)
DG Regional Policy
/.t|c|o 10 |.n||v
5
|| 19941999 6 1
| 19941999 6 2
||S 19941999 24 3
||S | 19941999 25 4
|||S| 19941999 (6:
6
1
||S| 1 19941999 14 1
||S| 2 19941999 4
||S| | 19941999 13
||/| |.n||v 20002006 139
7
13
DG Employment
/.t|c|o 6 |.n||v
8
19941999
20002006
248
120
12
9
DG Enterprise
10
||S 19941999 49 3
||| 19941999 40 1
||S|/ 20002006 16 4
11
DG Research
|rc. ||C
12
20002006 14 4
(
5
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/
regional_policy/innovation/innovating/
index_en.htm
(
6
)
1 project involving 6 regions
(
7
)
as of October 2004
(
8
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_
social/esf2000/article_6-en.htm
(
9
)
7 regional projects + 5 transnational
projects with Greek project promoter
(
10
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/
innovation/index.htm
(
11
)
Acting as mentors
(
12
)
Website for information: http://cordis.
europa.eu.int/era/regions.htm
20
Fromtheabovedatawecandistinguishthetwogenerationsofthinking:The
mono-theme project approach and the multi-theme holistic programme ap-
proach. The 2000-2006 ERDF innovative actions have being the pioneers in
adopting the new programme-based approach to innovation, where the re-
gions have chosen the projects to be funded. In addition the application and
selectionprocesshasbeensimplified.
The programme approach was the outcome of the evaluation of the 1994-
1996 series of innovative projects, whereas the following lessons have been
learned:
Needforstronglocalpoliticalsupportandregionalleadership
Needforbottom-upanddemand-drivenapproach
Need for strengthening of social capital (quality of regional partner-
ships)
Needforestablishmentoflongtermvisionandstrategicapproach
Needformultidisciplinaryandintegratedvisionofinnovation
Needforintra-&inter-regionalnetworking(exchangeofgoodpractices)
2.1DGRegionalPolicy:Fromprojectstoprogrammes
13
Duringthefirstprogrammingperiodof1994-1999DGRegionalPolicyArticle
10projectshaddistinctgoalsinspecificareas,suchastechnologicalinnovation
(RTT,RTP,RIS,RIS+)andinformationsociety(IRISI,RISI1,RISI2,RISI+).
Inthesecondprogrammingperiodof2000-2006,theRegionalProgrammesof
InnovativeActions(PRAI)aimedattheintegrationofthepreviousexperiments
(underthethemesoftechnologyinnovation&regionalinformationsociety)in
addition to the introduction of the emerging theme of sustainable develop-
ment,tocreateanovelwiderapproachtoregionaldevelopment.
Thefollowingfiguregraphicallydepictstheabove:
FinallyundertheumbrellaoftheECOS-Ouverture
14
(Inter-regionalco-opera-
tionbetweenlocalauthoritiesintheEuropeanUnionandCentralandEastern
Europe 1997- 2002) and Recite II projects, there was also a series of projects
dealingwithregionalinnovationstrategies.
(
13
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/
regional_policy/innovation/innovating/
index_en.htm
(
14
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_poli-
cy/innovation/innovating/ecos.htm
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21
2.1.1TheRISfamily(RTT,RTP,RIS,RIS+)
Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) and inter-RegionalTechnologyTransfer
projects (RTTs) aimed at improving the innovation performance in regions
coveredbythefourObjectives(1,2,5band6)oftheERDF1994-99throughan
integratedandinteractivelearningprocess.
Asafollow-upofthe6RegionalTechnologyPlans(RTP)andtogetherwiththe
RegionalInnovationandTechnologyTransferinitiatives(RITTS),theInnovating
RegionsinEuropenetwork(IRE)andtheRINNOdatabase,supportedjointlyby
DG Regional Policy and DG Enterprise, the RIS and the RTTS constituted two
basic elements of the Community policy response to the urgent need of im-
provedinnovationcapacityofenterprises-notablySMEs-intheregionsofthe
EU-15,inordertostrengthencompetitivenessatregionalscaleandtherebyof
theentireUnion.
RISweredemand-ledandbottom-upintheirelaboration,basedonpublic-pri-
vate partnership and consensus, action-oriented and encouraging regions to
exploittheEuropeandimensionthroughengagingininter-regionalco-opera-
tionandbenchmarkingofpoliciesandmethods.
RIS was followed by RIS+, which was open to all regions that had already
launched an RTP, RIS or RITTS (regardless of their ERDF support status) and
which gave regions an opportunity to implement the innovation strategy
elaboratedpreviouslyandtolaunchconcretepilotactions.
In parallel with the RIS and RIS+ the European Commission launched 6 RTTs
involving regional stakeholders from over 30 regions, following a selection
throughacallfortendersopentoallregionsinEurope.Themainobjectiveof
these projects was to identify best practice in technological cooperation be-
tweenregionsinordertopromoteeconomicdevelopment.
Most RIS and RIS+ projects have managed to guarantee a good mainstream-
ing of their priority actions into the Operational Programmes for Objective 1
or2areasbyprovidingnewprojectideasandidentifyingpartnershipstoim-
plement them. Several regions have been able to provide precise figures on
budgetsallocatedtoinnovationinthestructuralfundsorineitherregionalor
nationalprogrammesaftertheirRIS.Theyallshowasignificantincreaseinthe
quantityandthequalityofinnovationsupport.
2.1.2TheRISIfamily(IRISI,RISI1,RISI2,RISI+)
TheaimoftheInformationSocietyStrandofERDFInnovativeActions1994-
1999 was to pursue an active learning strategy based on the launching and
testingofanumberofpilotprojectsnotablyRegionalInformationSocietyIni-
tiatives(RISI).Itsdevelopmentstartedwithaninitiativeofacoreof6regionsto
promoteandexperimentwiththeconceptofinformationsocietyforstrategic
regionaldevelopment(IRISI).RISI1focusedonthedevelopmentofaregional
partnership in the elaboration of a regional information society strategy and
actionplan.RISI2soughtthepreparationandlaunchingofpluri-regionalpilot
applicationsfordemonstratingbestpracticeintheregionaldeploymentofthe
InformationSociety.RISI+aimedatafollowupoftheRISI1partnershipsand
strategiesintoselectedpilotprojects.
Within the framework of innova-
tive actions 2000-2006, under the
theme Regional economies based
on knowledge and innovation al-
most 60% of regions applied for un-
dertaking regional innovation strat-
egies or further develop and deepen
activities often based on the expe-
rience gained with the RIS, RIS+, or
RITTS.
Within the framework of innova-
tive actions 2000-2006, under the
theme e-EuropeRegio: information
society for regional development
almost 60% of regions applied for
continuing activities often based on
the experience gained with the RISI
activities.
22
(
15
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_poli-
cy/innovation/innovating/ecos.htm
(
16
)
8 RISI 1, 2 RISI 2 & 8 RISI+ projects
TheultimateobjectiveoftheRISIschemewastoassistinmakingtheInforma-
tion Society concept an integral part of regional development and employ-
mentpoliciesinthelessfavouredregionsintheEU.Itwasclearatthattimethat
thefutureeconomicandsocialwellbeingofthelessfavouredregionswould
depend greatly on how they have managed to exploit and participate in the
evolvingInformationSociety.
The general approach of the RISI Pilot Action was to stimulate, experiment,
evaluate and diffuse best practice in the creation of the necessary socio-eco-
nomic conditions for the development and implementation of information
society services and applications which contribute to regional development.
Thisapproachwasunderpinnedbyspecificaims,notablytopromoteandas-
sistintheformingofpartnershipsbetweenkeyregionalplayersinshapingthe
regionaldimensionoftheInformationSociety.
RISIwasbasedonthepremisethatplannedchoicesaremorelikelytobesuc-
cessful than unplanned ones, and an inclusive approach is more likely to be
acceptablethananexclusiveone(especiallyastheadventoftheInformation
Society is something which is likely to affect everyone to a greater or less ex-
tent).
2.2DGEmployment:TheArticle6projects
15
Article6oftheEuropeanSocialFundRegulationsupportsinnovativemeas-
uresthatseektopromotenewapproachesandidentifyexamplesofgoodprac-
tice, which can subsequently improve the implementation of the operations
supportedbytheESF.
TheCommissionsCommunicationontheimplementationofinnovativemeas-
uresunderArticle6oftheEuropeanSocialFundRegulationfortheprogram-
mingperiod2000-2006setsoutthegeneralprinciplesoftheactionsthatcan
befinancedanditalsoestablishesathematicapproach.Thefollowingnumber
ofprojectsbythematicareahasbeenfinancedbyAugust2004:
Innovativeprojectswithintheframeworkofsocialdialogue 47
Innovativeapproachestoemploymentcreationandvocationaltraining 201
TheRegionalInformationSocietyInitiative 18
16
Adaptationtotheneweconomywithintheframeworkofsocialdialogue 35
Localemploymentstrategiesandinnovation 44
2.3 DG Fisheries: Trans-national projects for Innovative
Actions
Article 22 of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) provides
financingforinnovativeactionsincludingtrans-nationaloperationsandthees-
tablishmentofnetworksforthoseoperatinginthesectorandareasdependent
onfisheriesandaquaculture.
Innovativeactionsincludestudies,pilotprojectsandexchangesofexperience
&sharingofgoodpracticeandinnovativemethods.
23
2.4DGEnterpriseprojects
17
Thefirstgenerationofprojects(theRITTSfamily)targetedonlyEU-15regions
while the second generation (the RIS - NAC family) was designed to include
someregionsfromallEU-25MemberStates.
2.4.1TheRITTSfamily(RITTS,TRIP)
Both RITTS and RIS aimed at supporting regions in developing regional in-
novation strategies that should optimise regional innovation policy and in-
frastructure. The strategy elaboration was based on analyses of the regional
innovationsystem,includingmanagement,financial,commercial,trainingand
organisational issues as well as technical ones. The strategies aimed also to
promoteco-operationbetweenthekeyactorswithintheregionalinnovation
system.
TheRITTSprojectswerefinancedbyDGEnterpriseundertheInnovationPro-
gramme.Over100regionshavebeensupportedtoformulateregionalinnova-
tionstrategieswithRITTSandRISprojects.
The Trans-Regional Innovation Projects (TRIP) supported trans-regional col-
laborationinthedevelopmentandimplementationofmeasuresbasedonthe
outcomesofRITTSandRISprojects.Theultimategoalwastosupportinnova-
tioninfirmsbyjoiningforcesandcomparingexercisesinseveralregions.The
projectsinvolvedkeyregionalactorsandtheirresultshadabenefitforlocalor
regional SMEs. 11 projects gathering altogether about 40 regions have been
carriedout.
2.4.2TheRIS-NACfamily
In 2001-02 the first 16 RIS-NAC projects to carry out Regional Innovation
StrategiesinthefollowingNewlyAssociatedCountries(NACs,Bulgaria,Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and
Slovenia)werelaunched.
ThemainobjectiveistodevelopregionalinnovationstrategiesinNACregions
byfollowingtheRITTS/RISprojectschemeandmethodology.
Each NAC region is accompanied by at least one EU region that has already
undertakenaRITTS/RISproject.ThisapproachaimsatensuringthatNACre-
gionswilltakefulladvantageoftheexperiencesgainedthroughtheprevious
formulationofinnovationstrategiesinpartnerregions.
2.5DGResearchinitiatives
18
TheRegionsofKnowledgeinitiativeisapilotactioncalledforbytheEurope-
anParliament.Theinitiativesupportsinnovativeprojectsinvolvingregionsin
severalMemberStatesthatdemonstratethecentralroleofknowledge(know
how, human resources, R&D and otherintangible production factors) in the
developmentofregionaleconomies.Itacknowledgesthefactthatregionsare
keyenginesofeconomicgrowth.Projectsthataresupportedincludetechnol-
ogyaudits,developingeconomicandtechnologicalfuturemodelsatregional
level, initiatives to promote university involvement with the local economy,
mentoring between technologically advanced and less favoured regions, as
(
17
)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/
innovation/index.htm
(
18
)
http://cordis.europa.eu.int/era/regions.htm
24
wellasawareness-raisingactionsfocusingontheroleofknowledgeasaboost-
erofregionaldevelopment.
Thedevelopmentofregionalresearchandinnovationactivitieshasbeensup-
ported through the EU Research Framework Programme and the Structural
Funds. This new pilot action will build on existing experiences and support
projects that demonstrate the different paths regions may follow to achieve
morerapidlyaknowledgebasedeconomy.
Regions have a core role in development and can play a key role in driving
economicgrowththrough,forexample,thedevelopmentofregionalinnova-
tionstrategies,locallevelpartnershipsandclustersofrelatedenterprisesand
researchers.
DynamicregionscancontributetoturningEuropeintothemostcompetitive
knowledge-basedeconomyintheworldby2010andtheyarealsofullypartici-
patingineffortsacrossEuropetoraiseEUaverageR&Dspending(publicand
private)to3%ofEUaverageGrossDomesticProductby2010.
ThefollowingnumberofprojectsbythematicareahasbeenfinancedbyAu-
gust2004:
TechnologyAuditandRegionalForesight(TARF) 5
Universitydrivenactionsforregionaldevelopment(UDARD) 4
Mentoringinitiatives 3
Supportingactivities 2
BecauseoftheconsiderablesuccessofthePilotAction,ithasbeenenvisaged
to have a similar activity (Regions of Knowledge 2
19
) embedded in the
SpecifcProgramme1IntegratingandStrengtheningtheEuropeanResearch
Area but focusing on the Barcelona targets. The new projects will support
trans-national, trans-regional collaborative projects focusing on the RTD
policy-making and investment strategy at regional level. They will address
more specifc issues regarding RTD investment at regional level aiming
also on spreading and further increasing outreach of existing regional RTD
initiatives.
(
19
)
Website for information :
http://cordis.europa.eu.int/era/regions_
knowreg2.htm
25
|.pto. 3
|o |og|cr.| |.cg..nnos c| |rrcv.t|vo /ct|crs
The aim of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Pro-
grammesofInnovativeActions
20
istoboostregionalcompetitivenessandsus-
tainabledevelopmentbyplacinginnovationatthecentreofregionaldevelop-
mentstrategies.Theprogrammesofferanopportunityoutsidethemainstream
StructuralFundstoexperimentwithactivitiesthatareoutoftheordinaryorto
workindifferent,oftennew,typesofpartnershipsinthreekeyareas:technol-
ogyandknowledgebasedeconomy;theinformationsociety;andsustainable
developmentandregionalidentity.
3.1The2000-2006programmingperiod
A new programme approach for ERDF innovative actions was introduced in
January 2001 for the funding period 2000-2006 with a simplified application
process.
A feature of the new system has been an element of competition between
regions:inordertosecureERDFco-funding,aregionsproposalmustdemon-
stratequalityandagenuineregionalstrategyforinnovationbackedbyastrong
regionalpartnershipincludingtheprivatesectorandsmallandmedium-sized
businessesinparticular.
The amount available for ERDF innovative actions is 0.4% of the annual ERDF
budget or approximately 400 million over the entire period 2000-06. Indi-
vidualprogrammescanbeawardedERDFco-fundingofbetweenaminimum
of0.3millionandamaximumof3million.ThetotalvalueofERDFco-funding
approved for the 139 programmes by October 2004 was 346 million.When
the contribution from the public and private sectors in the regions is added,
thisrisestoatotalvolumeofroughly660million.Onaverage,theERDFhas
contributed52%ofthetotalbudgetoftheprogrammes,thepublicsector(re-
gionalandnational)34%andtheprivatesector14%.
(
20
)
policy/innovation/index_en.htm
26
3.2Thethreestrategicthemesforregionaldevelopment
ByFebruary2005,144ofthe156eligibleregionswereparticipatingincluding
allregionsofAustria,Belgium,Finland,Greece,Italy,Ireland,Netherlands,Por-
tugal,Spain,Sweden,UnitedKingdomaswellasDenmarkandLuxembourg.
InlinewiththeLisbonandGothenburgobjectives,regionshavebeeninvited
tofocusononeormoreofthefollowingstrategicthemes:
RegionaleconomiesbasedonKnowledgeandTechnologicalInnovation
(includingissuessuchasuniversity-SMEsrelationship,frmsclustering,
advancedservicestofrms,incubators,etc.)
e-EuropeRegio:theInformationSocietyattheserviceofregionaldevel-
opment(includingissuessuchase-business,e-government,etc.)
SustainableDevelopmentandRegionalIdentity(includingissuessuchas
environment,ecologicaltourism,culturalheritage,enhancingtheexport
potentialoftraditionalmicro-companies,etc.)
TheprincipaltargetgroupsaretheSMEs,regionalactorsinresearchandeduca-
tion,thecitizensoftheregionandthepublicsector.
ByOctober2004,139ofthe156eligibleregionshadanapprovedprogramme
includingallregionsofItaly,Spain,Greece,Portugal,Austria,Sweden,Ireland,
Luxembourg and Denmark. The summary data of the Greek regions with an
approvedprogrammeisprovidedinannex.
The complementarity between the three strategic themes has been well ex-
ploitedbymostregionswhohaveoptedtoincludeanumberofactionscover-
ing at least two of the three eligible themes, while others opted for all three
themesandonlyfewchooseasinglethemeapproach.
3.3TheEuropeanRegionalInnovationAwards
Acompetitiontohighlightthemostinnovativeprojectsintheprogrammes
was launched in late 2003 and the nine winners (three per strategic theme)
werepresentedwiththeirawardsataceremonyduringthe54thplenaryses-
sionoftheCommitteeoftheRegionsheldinBrusselsinApril2004.
Saarland(Germany),Extremadura(Spain)andSteiermark(Austria)wereselect-
edasthetopthreeprojectsineachofthethreestrategicthemesbyajuryunder
thepresidencyofMr.AntonioGuterres,formerPrimeMinisterofPortugal.
Regional
Identity
% TOTAL
Information
Society
% TOTAL
Technological
Innovation
% TOTAL
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2
3.4Addedvalue
Theregionalprogrammesofinnovativeactionshavesucceededinactingas
catalystsgivingtheregionsachancetoexperimentwithnew,oftenadventur-
ousactionstopromoteinnovation.Thesehaveoftenbeenactionsthatother-
wisemighthavebeenpostponedorignoredbythemainstreamprogrammes
of the Structural Funds although they have a potentially strong impact by
promotinginnovationandsustainabilitywhicharecrucialfactorsforthelong-
termcompetitivenessofEUregions.
For the least-developed regions it is particularly important that they should
have a chance to experiment in difficult and challenging fields outside the
norm of their Structural Fund programmes. Often, these solutions have been
developed in close co-operation and networking with other more developed
regions.
A further value of the Innovative Actions lies in the way these programmes
havebeendesignedandimplementeddirectlybyregionalstakeholderswork-
ingtogetherinpartnership.Eachregionhasbeenencouragedtofinditsown
solutions,basedonregionalneedsandtoincorporateinnovationbetterinits
regionaldevelopmentplanning.
3.5Thechallengesofthefuture
TheexperiencesofarleadstheCommissiontobelievethattheRegionalPro-
grammes of Innovative Actions have responded to the needs of the regions
andhaveprovidedthemwithimportanttoolsforpromotinginnovationonthe
regional agenda. One indication of the success of the new approach offered
undertheseprogrammesisthefactthatmanyoftheirfeatureshavebeenin-
corporatedintothefutureobjectiveofRegionalCompetitivenessandEmploy-
mentfortheperiod2007-2013.
Thechallengefortheregionsnowistocapitaliseontheemergingexperiences
in order to stimulate innovation in the region. It is also expected that lessons
learned will be incorporated into the future Structural Funds programmes,
especially in the new Member States, and to the extent possible, the current
Objective1andObjective2programmes.
In the future, there will still be a need for strengthening innovation policies
intheregionsandimprovingregionaldevelopmenttoolsandpracticesforin-
novation.Thisisthecase,forexample,infinancingforinnovation,facilitating
thecreationofsuccessfulnewfirms,strengtheningtheco-operationbetween
SMEsandresearchinstitutions,orwaystoattracttalentsandknowledgetoless
developedregionswhichdonotyethavethosecapacities.
SpecificattentionwillbegiventoregionsfromnewMemberStatestofacilitate
theirparticipationinnetworkingactivitiesasameansofdiffusinggoodprac-
ticeandtohelpthemwiththepreparationofthenextgenerationofStructural
Fundprogrammes.
28
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4.1 PRAIFinancialData
All data related to Greece has been extracted from the Innovative Actions
databaseandrepresentthesituationasofOctober2004.
4.1.1Budget
ThetotalestimatedbudgetfortheGreekprogrammesis45.93millionEuros,
whichrepresents14%oftotalbudgetofPRAI.
Greeceisthe8
th
mostimportantcountryintermsofbudgetafterItaly(120M),
France(86M),Spain(84M),UK(59M),Germany(55M),Holland(51M)
andAustria(50M).
TheaverageofaGreekPRAIbudgetis3.5M,lowerthantheEUaverage(4.7
M).
30
4.1.2ERDFcontribution
The total estimated ERDF contribution is 31 M, representing 68% of total
GreekPRAIbudget,whichishigherthantheEuropeanaverageof52%.Thisis
duetothefactthatall13regionsareObjective1areas.
Greeceisthe3rdcountrywiththehighestrateofERDFco-financing,afterPor-
tugal(75%)andIreland(73%).
4.1.3 Privateco-fnancing
The estimated private funding is 6.4 M, representing 14.04% of the total
GreekPRAIbudget.ThisisslightlyaboveEUaverage(13.93%).
Greeceisthe7thmostimportantcountryintermsofabsoluteprivatebudget
afterItaly(21.7M),Germany(10.6M),Spain(9.7M),Austria(9.7M),France
(8.6M)andHolland(8M).
4.2PRAIInterregionalcomparison
TherearethirteenNUTSlevel2regionsinGreece,allclassifiedasObjective1.
Probablechangesforthepost-2006period(2007-2013)areexpectedforthe
regions of Sterea Ellada and Notio Aigaio as well as possibly for Attiki, Dytiki
MakedoniaandKentrikiMakedonia.
4.2.1Coverage
All the country is covered by innovative actions: 6 regions applied in 2001
(DytikiEllada,KentrikiMakedonia,Peloponissos,StereaEllada,Thessalia,Voreio
Aigaio), 6 in 2002 (Attiki, Kriti, Ipeiros, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Makedonia, Anatoliki
Makedonia&Thraki)and1in2003(NotioAigaio).
1programme(Thessalia)finishedin2003[thefirstinEurope]and3programmes
(Peloponissos,StereaEllada,DytikiEllada)finishedinthefirstquarterof2004.
4.2.2 Budget
Thevariationofbudgetbetweenregionsis3.7(Kriti/Ipeiros),whichmakes
Greece quite homogeneous, compared to other countries, such as in Italy for
National
Public
33,89%
ERDF
52.18%
Private
13.93%
EU
National
Public
18.35%
ERDF
67.61%
Private
14.04%
GREECE
31
instancewherebudgetvariesfrom1to10betweenregions.
ThePRAIbudgetsaresmallerinGreecethaninothercountries.Ipeiroshasone
ofthelowestbudgetintheEUwith1.38M,afterMadeira,Portugal(1M)and
Sardegna,Italy(1.2M).
ThelevelofERDFcofinancingisalsoquitehomogeneousbetweentheregions
(aminimumof59%inKritiwherethepublicnationalandregionalcontribution
is quite high [32%] and a maximum of 80% in Dytiki Ellada where the public
nationalandregionalcontributionisminimal[3%]).
Theprivatecontributionexistsinall13regions.Thehighestrateisfoundinthe
threeislandregionsofVoreioAigaio(20%),IoniaNisiaandNotioAigaio(19%).
Itislessthan5%inAnatolikiMakedonia&Thraki,IpeirosandStereaEllada.
Region Total Budget ERDF Private
Kriti 5.068.000 2.999.750 453.000
IoniaNisia 4.630.000 2.880.000 900.000
KentrikiMakedonia 4.500.000 3.000.000 750.000
DytikiMakedonia 4.000.000 2.500.000 750.000
Thessalia 3.870.000 2.476.000 670.000
AnatolikiMakedonia&
Thraki
3.690.000 2.800.000 200.000
DytikiEllada 3.669.432 2.935.386 616.446
VoreioAigaio 3.205.500 2.048.400 645.000
NotioAigaio 2.985.000 1.055.000 50.000
Attiki 2.710.000 1.913.600 173.000
Peloponissos 2.565.000 1.913.600 173.000
StereaEllada 1.969.478 1.533.322 52.825
Ipeiros 1.380.000 1.055.000 50.000
TOTAL 44.242.410 28.079.458 5.547.771
4.2.3Numberofactions
The average number of actions per programme is 6. The regions of Dytiki
ElladaandAnatolikiMakedonia&Thrakihavethelowestnumberofactions(3),
while the regions with the most actions are Kriti (11) and Kentriki Makedonia
(10).
TotalPRAIbudgetbyregion(Euros)
6.000.000 4.000.000 2.000.000 0
Anatoliki
Makedonia
& Thraki
Kentriki
Makedonia
Dytiki
Makedonia
Thessalia Ipeiros Ionia
Nisia
Dytiki
Ellada
Sterea
Ellada
Peloponissos Attiki Voreio
Aigaio
Notio
Aigaio
Kriti
Total actions by region
32
4.2.4TheGreekentriesoftheEuropeanRegionalInnova-
tionAwards
21
Acompetitiontohighlightthemostinnovativeprojectsperstrategictheme
intheprogrammeswaslaunchedinlate2003andtheninewinners(threeper
strategic theme) were presented with their awards at a ceremony during the
54
th
plenarysessionoftheCommitteeoftheRegionsheldinBrusselsinApril
2004.
TheregionsofKentrikiMakedoniaandThessaliaintroducedtheircandidature
under the technological innovation theme, while the region of Sterea Ellada
applied under the sustainable development theme and finally the region of
DytikiElladahadanentryundertheinformationsocietytheme.
4.3PRAIProposedactions
Technological innovation is the first theme selected by the Greek regions,
byfar(52,1%ofbudget).ItisfollowedinthesecondplacebythethemeofIn-
formationSocietywith20,4%,alotlowerthantheEUaverageof38%.Finally
the theme ofSustainable Development and Regional Identity occupies the
thirdpositionwith19,8%,whichshowsaninterestmuchmoreimportantthan
inotherEuropeancountries(13%atEUlevel).
It is interesting to note that although the percentage of funds allocated for
technical assistance in Greece is half than the percentage for the EU (4%), 10
out of 13 regions have specific inter-regional networking actions, including
membershiptonetworks.
Weshouldalsonotethat10outof13haveoptedforindependentevaluation
and/orqualityassuranceaccompanimentmeasures.
11 out of 13 regions opted forTechnological Innovation actions, while 8 out
of 13 opted for the other two themes. 4 out of 13 regions focus on a mono-
themeapproach(2intechnologicalinnovationand1ineachoftheothertwo
themes).3regionshadactionsfromtwothemes,while5optedforamoreplu-
ralistthree-themeapproach.
Sustainable
Development
13%
Technological
Innovation
44%
Information
Society
38%
EU GREECE
Accompaniment
Measures
1%
Technical
Assistance
4%
Sustainable
Development
19.8%
Technological
Innovation
52,1%
Information
Society
20,4%
Accompaniment
Measures
1%
Technical
Assistance
2%
(
21
)
policy/innovation/concours_en.htm
33
4.3.1 TechnologicalInnovation
Asfarasthetechnologicalinnovationthemeisconcerned,Greekregionsare
particularlyactive.Only2regionsoutof13donotsupportactionsinthisfield
(Voreio Aigaio and Attiki), while 2 regions (Kentriki Makedonia and Anatoliki
Makedonia&Thraki)haveallocatedalltheirbudgetinactionsunderthistheme.
The11regionsearmarkedatotalbudgetof23millionseurosfortechnological
innovationandlaunched41actions.Thisrepresents8%ofthetotalbudgetfor
this theme (all countries included) and puts Greece in 5th position after Italy,
Spain,AustriaandSweden.
The actions supported are quite diverse and cover all aspects (7 out of 7) of
technologicalinnovation:
Awareness raising, training on innovation management (Kentriki
Makedonia),supportservicestofrmstoimprovetheirinnovativecapaci-
ty(inallsectorsorinspecifconeslikefurandwoodinDytikiMakedonia),
technology clinics (Kentriki Makedonia), innovation management au-
dits(VoreioAigaio,AnatolikiMakedonia&Thraki),internationalizationof
frms(VoreioAigaio)
New product development in organic farming, food and craft sectors
(Anatoliki Makedonia & Thraki, Kentriki Makedonia, Dytiki Makedonia,
Kriti,Peloponissos)
Support to clustering / networking of frms (Kentriki Makedonia, Dytiki
Makedonia)
Technologyandregionalforesight(KentrikiMakedonia,Ipeiros),Region-
alobservatories(KentrikiMakedonia,Kriti,DytikiMakedonia)
Entrepreneurship, start-ups, spin-ofs (Kentriki Makedonia, Thessalia,
Attiki,Ipeiros)
Cooperation between R&D organisations and frms (Sterea Ellada, Kriti,
Thessalia)
Financialengineering(AnatolikiMakedonia&Thraki,Ipeiros)
SupporttoSMEsforgrowingintheneweconomy(DytikiEllada)
Sustainable
Development
Information
Society
Technological
Innovation
Not Including
Technical
Assistance &
Accompanying
Measures
Anatoliki
Makedonia
& Thraki
Kentriki
Makedonia
Dytiki
Makedonia
Thessalia Ipeiros Ionia
Nisia
Dytiki
Ellada
Sterea
Ellada
Peloponissos Attiki Voreio
Aigaio
Notio
Aigaio
Kriti
% budget by theme and region
34
4.3.2 RegionalIdentityandSustainableDevelopment
8outof13regionsoptedforactionsunderthisthemeandlaunched17ac-
tions.IntheregionofVoreioAigaiothetotalityofthebudgetwasusedforthis
theme.
Theactionssupportedcoveredasmallportionofthistheme,notably3outof
8possibleareas:
Organicfarming(DytikiEllada)
Ecologicaltourismandimprovementofqualityoftouristservices(Ionia
Nisia)
Wastemanagement(DytikiMakedonia,VoreioAigaio)
Waterandmarinebiologicalresourcesmanagement(Kriti)
Riskmanagementfornaturallandscapes(Kriti)
Cretandietandmusicalculture(Kriti)
Technological Innovation
Research projects based in
universities and research institutes
7%
Business advisory services (information, business
planning, consultancy services, marketing,
management, design, internationalisation,
exporting, environmental management, purchase
of technology
35%
Research, technological
development and innovation
(RTDI)
20,4%
Innovation and technology transfers,
establishments of networks and
partnerships between business and/or
research institutes
12%
RTDI
Infrastructure
2%
Financial engineering
5%
Shared business services (business estates,
incubator units, stimulation, promotional
services, networking, conferences, trade fairs)
22%
Sustainable Development
Environmental
infrastructure
(including water)
59%
Environment - friendly technologies, clean and
economical energy technologies
0%
Non-physical investments (development and
provision of tourist services, sporting, cultural
and leisure activities, heritage)
0%
Maintenance and restoration
of the cultural heritage
29%
Intelligent transport systems
0%
Urban and industrial waste (including hospital
and dangerous waste)
12%
Energy efficiency, cogeneration, energy control
0%
Services in support of the social economy
(providing care for dependants, health and safety,
cultural activities)
0%
35
4.3.3InformationSociety
Finally,asfarasinformationsocietyisconcerned8outof13regionsoptedfor
actions under this theme and launched 16 actions. In the region of Attiki the
totalityofthebudgetwasusedforthistheme.
Diverse actions were supported covering all aspects (5 out of 5) of e-Europe
Regio:
Support to SMEs [e-commerce, information on patents, design, etc.]
(DytikiEllada,DytikiMakedonia,VoreioAigaio)
Healthservices,hometelecaresystem(DytikiEllada,Attiki)
Intermodaltrafcinformationservice(DytikiEllada,Attiki)
Publicaccesstopublicservicesandinformation(Peloponissos,Attiki)
Virtual reality applications for cultural sites (Sterea Ellada), Digital plat-
formintourism(IoniaNisia),Virtualtechnopolis(DytikiMakedonia)
Riskmanagementsystemsforenvironment(IoniaNisia)
4.4 Educational&ResearchPolesofExcellence
The two main educational & research poles of excellence for regional in-
novation in Greece are based in the two biggest cities, notably Athens and
Thessaloniki. In addition an emerging university laboratory has been estab-
lishedintheregionofDytikiMakedonia.
4.4.1 RegionalDevelopmentInstitute
22
The main task of the Regional Development Institute (RDI) is the advance-
ment of research in all fields of the developmental process. This is achieved
bylinkingurban,localandregionaldevelopmentissueswithbroaderNational
and EU processes, and by promoting a regular exchange of ideas and experi-
enceonaworldwidebasis.
The Institute is also concerned with the advancement of theory and with ad-
dressingcurrentdevelopmentproblems.
Telecommunications
infrastructure and
information society
19%
Services and applications for SMEs
(electronic commerce and transactions,
education and training, networking)
31%
Services and applications for the citizen
(health, administration, education)
31%
Information and
communication
technology (including
security and safe
transmission measures)
6%
Workforce flexibility, entrepreneurial activity,
innovation, information and communication
technologies (persons, firms)
13%
Information Society
(
22
)
www.ipa.panteion.gr/en/html/main.html
36
Morespecifically,themainapplicationsoftheseaimscouldbedescribedas:
ToelaboratebasicresearchonallaspectsoftheGreekRegionsdevelop-
mentandtopublishthedatagathered.
ToparticipateinresearchprogramsdevelopedbytheEU.
Tocompiletheoreticalandappliedresearchstudiesonregionaldevelop-
ment,innovation,knowledgeeconomyetc.
To cooperate with diferent National Ministries and Local Government
organizations in order to provide expert and scientifc advice and guid-
ance.
Toorganizeandconductlecturesandseminars,butalsotoactivelypar-
ticipateinnationalandinternationalconferencesandcongresses.
TocreateaRegionalDevelopmentlibraryandspecialarchivesfortheuse
ofstudentsandresearchers.
To promote studies on Environmental Protection, Spatial Organisation,
CulturalDevelopmentandtheapplicationofNewDigitalTechnologiesin
variousfelds.
Todevelopandmaintaincommunicationandcooperationwithinterna-
tionalOrganizations,InstitutesandCentresforRegionalDevelopment.
Topublishbooks,papers,expertstudiesandreportsonissuesregarding
regionalandsustainabledevelopment.
ToprovidePanteionUniversitysDepartmentofEconomicandRegional
Development with academic support for its postgraduate program and
curricula.
Toestablishcentresandworkshops,andtodevelopprogramsthatpro-
moteregionalcompetitiveness.
TheRDIismainlyinvolvedincompetitiveprojectsfromtheInnovativeActions
oftheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(RITTSofThessalyandtheNorth-
ernAegean,RIS,RIS+ofStereaEllada,IAStereaEllada).
4.4.2 URENIO
23
The Urban and Regional Innovation Research Unit (URENIO) is a university
laboratory for the promotion of research and supply of scientific and techno-
logicalservices.URENIOisaffiliatedtotheDepartmentofUrbanandRegional
Planning and Development in the Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University
ofThessaloniki.
URENIOsresearchfocusesonterritoriesthatbasetheirdevelopmentonR&D,
technological innovation, technology-intensive companies, technology infra-
structure,andknowledgeandinformationnetworks.Centralresearchthemeis
thecitiesandregionsofinnovationincludingknowledgeclusters,technopoles
and science parks; regional innovation systems and strategies; digital innova-
tionspacesandintelligentcities.Aprincipalfeatureoftheseinnovativeregions
is their capacity to create environments which facilitate innovative behaviour
bytheorganisationswhicharemembersofthismilieu,turningknowledgeinto
new products, disseminating information, building organisational learning,
integratingskills,andintheendgeneratinginnovations.
URENIO is mainly involved in competitive projects from the European R&D
framework programmes and the Innovative Actions of the European Re-
gional Development Fund (RTP, RIS & IA Kentriki Makedonia, RITTS Anatoliki
Makedonia & Thraki, Recite II & IA Thessaly, IA Dytiki Makedonia, IA Ionia Ni-
sia).These projects deal with the role of innovation in regional development,
thetypologyandevolutionofinnovation-ledcitiesandregions,thedesignof
(
23
)
www.urenio.org
3
regionalinnovationstrategies,regionalknowledgemanagement,andthecrea-
tionofphysical,institutionalanddigitalenvironmentssupportingtechnologi-
calinnovation.
URENIOrecentworkisfocusingonintelligentcitiesandregionswhichrepre-
sentathirdgenerationinnovationterritoriesfollowingonfromclusters/tech-
nopolesandlearningregions.Researchandservicesprovidedfocuson:
Regionalintelligence(foresight,marketandtechnologywatch,business
andclusterintelligence);
Benchmarkingforcompanies,localities,andregions;
Technologytransfer(on-linetools,IPR,brokering,trainingtoinnovation,
innovatione-communities);
New product development (network based product innovation, new
productdevelopmentroadmaps);and
Digital platforms for product / services promotion (digital cities, virtual
clusters,virtualscienceandtechnologyparks,virtualincubators).
4.4.3MATER
24
The Management ofTechnology Research (MATER) Laboratory was recently
established in the Engineering Department of the University of Western
Macedonia in Kozani.The laboratory is mainly manpowered by scientists and
engineerswithlongexperienceinmanagingInnovationCompetitiveProjects
from the National and Regional Programmes, the European R&D Framework
Programmes and the Innovative Actions of the European Regional Develop-
mentFundsuchasRIS,RIS+,InnovativeActionsofWestMacedonia,Thessaly,
Epirus,ReciteIIThessaly,RISSouthCentralBulgariaandothers.
TheMATERlaboratoryconstitutesaplatformthatwillhelpideasandpersons
withinaregionalandinternationalenvironmenttoworktogetherandfocuses
itsresearchandserviceson:
creationanddifusionofknowledge,guidanceandinformationontech-
nologicalinnovationanddevelopmentofstochasticmodelsforTechnol-
ogyManagementandInnovationPolicies
developmentofplatformsforvirtualsessionsanddiscussionsthatensure
thetransmissionanddifusionofknowledgeandinformationintheareas
ofTechnology Development,TechnologyTransfer, Knowledge Manage-
ment,TechnologicalInnovation.
organizationoflecturesandseminarsinthefeldofManagementofTech-
nologyandInnovationandprovisionofacademicsupporttotheUniver-
sity.
provision of scientifc and technical advice to the Region in Innovation
andRegionalDevelopmenttopics
technicalsupporttotheregionalentrepreneurshiponTechnologicalIn-
novation
4.5Thechallengeofmainstreaminginnovation
The research and technology system in Greece is of limited size but also
shows imbalances in relation to the participation of enterprises. The Gross
Domestic Expenditure on Research andTechnological Development is at the
level of 0.5% of GNP, while the average in the EU is close to 2%.The progress
(
24
)
www.materlab.org
38
achievedoverthepast10yearsisfairlysignificantbearinginmindthatthesaid
indexhasincreasedfrom0.38%in1989to0.51%in1997.Inthebusinesssector
the results are also significant since there has been a five-fold increase in the
numberofcompanieswithR&TDactivitiesoveraperiodof11years(from114
in1986toalmost600in1997).Thisimpressiveincrease,however,hasnotbeen
accompaniedbyacorrespondingincreaseofexpendituresincealargepropor-
tion of the companies involved are SMEs with limited ability to fund research.
Thus,theR&TDindexforbusinessesisstillataverylowlevel,0.13%ofGNPin
1997,puttingGreeceinjointlastplacewithPortugalintheEU.Thepictureand
indexesconcerningapplicationsforthegrantofpatentsaresimilar.
ThemostimportantinterventionsformainstreaminginnovationintheOpera-
tionalProgrammesare:
The exploitation and commercial utilisation of existing research results
stemming from research projects, either in the form of the provision of
services or exploitation licences, or by the creation of knowledge-inten-
sivebusinessactivity(thefoundationofspin-ofcompanies).
Intensifcationofresearchandrelatedactivities(technologytransfer,dis-
semination, information, etc.) within companies or at the interfaces be-
tweencompaniesandpublicresearchagencies.
Extension of collaborations with business and research organisations
abroad, and inclusion in international permanent or special cooperation
networks.
Support for the productive sector from public research and technology
agencies,bytheprovisionofservicesandtechnicalknowledge.
Financingofcollaborationsbetweenproductiveandresearchagencies,in
carryingoutlong-termprojectsthataimtoproduceinnovativeproducts
orservices.
4.6TheManagementFactor
ThegreatsuccessofRegionalInnovationProgrammesinGreeceandtheenthu-
siasticresponsethattheyreceivedfromthelocalcommunitiesandenterprises
canbeausefulcasestudyregardingthefactorsthatledtothisresult.Whereas
theapplicationoftheCSFandofotherEUinitiatives,suchasInterreg,wasfaced
with several obstacles in Greece, the Regional Innovation Programmes pro-
gressedsmoothlyandproducedexcellentresults.Thefactorsthatcontributed
totheirsuccesscanbesummarizedinthefollowingpoints:
Intheplanningstage
the people involved possessed the necessary experience and exper-
tise
thelocalleaders,keyplayersandstakeholderswereconsultedand
therealneedsofthelocalcommunitieswereidentifedandaddressed
Intheapplicationstage
TheManagementUnitswerestafedbyhigh-qualityexpertsthatpos-
sessednotonlythenecessarymanagerialskillsbutalsospecializedsci-
entifcknowledgeintheirfelds.
39
|.pto. 5
|rrcv.t|cr |ot.c.ks .rJ |oscJ.cos
Theregionalinnovationnetworksarecomplementaryactivitiesdesignedto
enhance the exchange of information, experience, know-how and expertise
between the participating regions especially with a view to improving and
increasingtheuseofStructuralFundsinvestmentsforregionaleconomicand
socialdevelopment.
5.1NetworksundertheInnovativeActionsumbrella
Inadditiontotheregionalprogrammesofinnovativeactions,threenetworks,
oneperstrategictheme,havebeenlaunchedtofosterco-operationbetween
regionsandtoshareexperiencesandgoodpractices:
ERIK for technological innovation (lead partnersToscana and Emilia-Ro-
magna / Italy, including 13 core regions and 18 associate, 31 regions in
total)
IANISforInformationsocietyattheserviceofregionaldevelopment(lead
partnerSachsen/Germany,including28regions)
A Pan-European Network for sustainable development (lead partner
Wales/UK,including12regions)
5.1.1 ERIK
25
The objectives of the ERIK (European Regions Knowledge-based Innovation
Network)networkhavebeen:
Benchmark good practices relating to innovation and knowledge poli-
cies;
(
25
)
www.eriknetwork.net
40
Exchangeexperiencesprogressedindiferentregionsandcontextinor-
dertodevelopmoreefectiveregionalorinterregionalpolicies;
Organisespecifcdiscussiongroupsandworkshopsonselectedtopicsof
commoninterest;
Extendattheinterregionallevelthecollaborationrelationshipbetween
thediferentactorsoftheregionalknowledgesysteminvolved;
Increasetheknow-howofmainregionalactorsasfarasinnovation,tech-
nologytransferandtheknowledgeeconomypromotionareconcerned;
ExchangeinformationontheprogressofRegionalProgrammesofInno-
vativeActionsledbynetworkparticipantsinviewofimprovingthetools
forthefuture;
Co-operatewithotherrelatedEUinitiatives.
The activities of ERIK include workshops, seminars, study visits, conferences,
policy forum etc. as highlighted in the news and newsletters. ERIK is an open
network.
5.1.2 IANIS
26
The objectives of the IANIS (Innovative Actions Network for the Information
Society)networkhavebeen:
Sustainandfurtherdevelopinterregionalnetworking,andparticularlyto
provide network support to regions with approved Innovative Actions
projects, in the context of the information society and Structural Funds
investments. It aims to support widespread sharing of information, ex-
perienceandgoodpracticethroughanelectroniccommunicationsplat-
form,physicalandvirtualnewsletters,workshops,seminars,annualcon-
ferencesandpolicyforaandastudyvisitsexchangescheme;
Design,develop,maintain,andprovideaccesstoane-RegionHubwith
aprojectsdatabaseandwithlinkstoothermaterialsandreportsofrele-
vancetoregionalInformationSocietydevelopersworkinginthecontext
oftheStructuralFunds.
Thesecomplementaryactivitiesaredesignedtoenhancetheexchangeofin-
formation,experience,know-howandexpertisebetweentheparticipatingre-
gionsespeciallywithaviewtoimprovingandincreasingtheuseofStructural
Funds investments specifically for regional information society development
andmoregenerallyforregionaleconomicandsocialdevelopment.
5.1.3 EuropeanRegionalSustainableDevelopment
27
TheobjectivesoftheEuropeanRegionalSustainableDevelopmentNetwork
hasbeen:
Monitor and evaluate innovative approaches to sustainable develop-
mentataregionallevel.
Report on and disseminate research and best practices in the area of
sustainabilitypracticesinregions.
ProvideaforumforTrans-regionaldiscussionandsharingofexperience
onsustainabledevelopment.
(
26
)
www.ianis.net
(
27
)
www.sustainable-euregions.net/
, $ 1, 6
41
Disseminate information on approaches to sustainable development to
politicians, policy makers, academics, business leaders and the general
public.
Sustainable Regions Europe is an information-sharing tool for policy-makers,
organisationsandindividualsthatareinterestedinsustainabledevelopment.
5.1.4 GreekmembersoftheInnovativeActionsNetworks
TheGreekregions,membersofInnovativeActionsnetworks,are:
Thessalia,StereaEllada,Kriti,
IoniaNisia,Epirus Epirus
, $ 1, 6
KentrikiMakedonia(Municipalityof
Stavroupolis)
KentrikiMakedonia(Municipalityof
Stavroupolis),Epirus(BIC),Kriti(STEP-C)
5.2Nationalinnovationnetworks
Thefollowingcountrieshavestimulatedtheexchangeofinnovativeinforma-
tion among their regions through the creation of national or trans-national
innovationnetworks.
Countries Name Website
Italy
CoorIInnA
CoordinationofItalianInnovativeActions
www.cooriinna.net
Greece
28
RINO
RegionalInnovationNetwork
www.rinonet.org
Spain&Portugal
RI2
RedIbricadeInnovacinRegional
www.ri2.net
UK
RINET
TheUKRegionalInnovationNetwork
www.rinet.org.uk
5.3 GreekRegionalInnovationNetworks
TheGreekregionalinnovationnetworkswereactivesincetheintroductionof
theregionalinnovationstrategiesbackin1998andhavesubsequentlyevolve
toincludeallregionsandregionalexperts.
5.3.1 TheHellenicRITTS/RISnetwork
29
BackinJuly1998,inthecityofKastoria-WesternMacedonia,theGreekRIS
regionsofStereaEllada,Thessaly,WesternMacedoniaandCentralMacedonia
foundedanassociation,towhichtheRISEpirusandRITTSNorthAegeanhave
alsojoined.Theprincipalreasonbehindthisnetworkwastoguaranteethatthe
benefitsoftheRITTS/RISprojectscouldgoonaftertheendoftheseexercises.
Theco-operationbetweentheGreekRITTS/RIShasalwaysbeenstrong,rang-
ingfromsharinginformationtojointprojects.TheactorsoftheGreekRITTS/
(
28
)
Information about a previous Greek-Cypriot
network (Hellenic Regional Innovation
Strategies Network) can be found at the
following website: www.ipa.panteion.
gr/en/html/network.html
(
29
)
www.ritts-crete.gr/hel-reg-isn.htm
42
RISregionsactivelyparticipateineachothersactivities,likethemeetingsofthe
SteeringCommittees.Theregionsarealsoconstructinganationaldatabaseon
standardinformationonsocio-economicdata.
TheobjectivesoftheGreekRITTS/RISassociationaretoconductresearchon
innovationactivities,co-ordinationoftheEuropeanInnovationsProgrammes,
promotionofInnovation,co-operationwithuniversities,researchcentres,pro-
ductionunitsandespeciallywithSMEsontheonehand,andwiththenational
ministriesandregionalandlocalauthoritiesontheotherhand,andfinally,elab-
orationofInnovationprogrammesindependentlyorinco-operationwithother
actors.Internationallythenetworkaimstoco-operatewiththecorresponding
organisationsoftheotherMemberStatesandwiththeEuropeanInstitutions.
5.3.2 TheNationalInnovationNetwork(RINO)
30
The RINO Network is the basis of a joint platform for collaboration and ex-
changeofexperiencesintheareaofInnovativeStrategies,Policies,Actionsand
Projects.RINOisopentoallregionalactorsinGreece,implementingRegional
InnovationProjects.
The key objective of RINO is to build linkages between the regional innova-
tionProgrammeswithotherregionsinGreeceandintheEUandwithnetworks
andotherorganizationsthatareactiveinthefieldofinnovationinrelationto
regional and local development.These linkages enabled the regions to share
experiences and lessons and develop collaborative relationships during the
Programmeimplementationperiodsandinthefuture.
RINOfacilitatesthedisseminationoftheresultsandoutcomesoftheRegional
Programmes and eases the transfer of the regions experience and concrete
outcomes to other stakeholders. Equally, the regions profit by the experience
ofothersworkandareabletokeepabreastofthelatestdevelopmentsintech-
nologiesandinthemanagementofinnovation.
The main target of RINO, is to enable all regions to enter a common learning
platform,basedupon:
Collaborationamongallregionalinnovationplayersandstakeholdersin
Greece
Exchange of experiences concerning the implementation of innovative
ICTprojects
Promotionofaccesstonewbusinessinnovationtoolsandplatforms
Enhancement ofthe existing foundations of regional and inter-regional
learningopportunities
TheRINOnetworkaimstowardsthemajorgoaloflinkingtogethertheresults
obtained through the Regional Innovation Projects and Actions, in order to
presentandpromotetheoutcomesataregionalandnationallevel.
Anumberofregionsseektoimplementspecificactionsdevelopedduringthe
formulation of their regional innovation strategy through the European Re-
gional Development Fund Innovative Actions. In this basis, RINO is aiming to
offersubstantialassistanceandknowledgetransferviatheexchangeofgood
practiceexperienceinnumerousaspects.
The RINO network was designed, developed and co-funded under the RIPE
Project (Regional Innovation of Peloponnesus), as part of Innovative Actions
2000-2006.
(
30
)
www.rinonet.org
43
5.4 OtherEUresourcesoninnovation
InnovationisakeydriverforthestrengtheningofEuropescompetitiveness.
This section presents some of the latest innovation policy resources available
atCommunitylevel.
5.4.1 TheCORDISInnovationportal
31
CORDIS,theweb-basedCommunityR&Dandinnovationinformationservice,
isaninteractivewebsitethatlinkstogetherpolicymakers,managersoftheEu-
ropeanUnionR&Dactivitieswithplayersinresearchandindustry.Itprovides
coverage of European, national and regional research programmes as well as
coveringawiderangeofinnovationservices.
TheaimistobridgeCommunityandnationalpoliciesonresearch,innovation
and SMEs and to foster links between academia and industry across national
andsectoralborders.
5.4.2 TheIREThematicNetworks
32
The network of Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) is the joint platform for
collaborationandexchangeofexperiencesinthedevelopmentofregionalin-
novationpoliciesandschemes.
The network aims to enable regions to access new tools and schemes for in-
novation promotion and to create an inter-regional learning process. It also
seekstoputinnovationatthetopoftheregionalpolicyagenda.Itisopento
allEuropeanregionsthatcandemonstrategoodpracticeinthepromotionof
innovation.
(
31
)
http://cordis.europa.eu.int/innovation
(
32
)
www.innovative-regions.org
Topics ACENET BASAN BIGEAR CAF CRO BO BU CO INNOBA-SME METROPOLIS PARTNER PROWOMEN SAIL SCONE STRINNOP VERITE
Academic-Industriallinks
Agro-foodsector
Benchmarking
Businessopportunities
Businessplans
Clusters
Co-operationwithNACs
Creationofnewbusiness
Exploitationofresearch
Incubators
Innovationbarriers
Innovationculture
Innovationfinance
Innovationmanagement
Innovationsupport
Knowledgemanagement
Legislation
Productdevelopment
Publicpolicies
R&D
Regionalindicators
RITTS/RISmethodology
Supplychain
Technologytransfer
44
The14ThematicNetworksthatbringtogetherover250innovationstakehold-
ersthroughoutEuropeinordertoexchangegoodpracticeonspecificregional
innovationpolicytopicsaredepictedabove:
5.4.3TheRINNOdatabase
33
The Regional INNOvation & technology transfer (RINNO) database aims to
provide a central resource for one region to find out how others are innovat-
ing.Itcontainsvalidateddetailsoninnovationactivitiesandworkhasalready
started in the areas: Increasing the awareness of the innovation process, Un-
derstandingtheneedsofSMEsandhowtomeetthem,Supportinginnovation
projectsviastrategyandstaffdevelopment,Helpingregionalbusinessservices
tomeetthechallenge,andMakingbetterlinksbetweenSMEsandtheknowl-
edgebase.
ThepurposeofRINNOistosharetheinnovationexperiencesanduseelectronic
mediatoallowregionstogetpracticalhelponimprovingtheirinnovationprac-
tices.ItissupportedbyDGEnterprise,DGRegionalPolicyandDGResearch.
5.4.4TheTrendChartonInnovationinEurope
34
TheTrend Chart is a tool for innovation policy makers and managers in Eu-
rope. It provides information and analysis, at national and Community level,
oninnovationpolicies,practicesandperformances(mainlyinthefieldsofin-
novation finance, innovative businesses, intellectual property rights, and the
transferoftechnologybetweenresearchandindustry).
Italsoconstitutesaforumforbenchmarkingandfortheexchangeanddiffu-
sionofgoodpracticesinthefieldofinnovationpolicy.
SeveralcountriesthatareaverageorpoorperformersontheSummaryInnova-
tion Index, such as Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Estonia and Slovenia
perform much better on the indicators for non-technical change. The good
performance of several of the new Member States and Greece and Portugal
is encouraging, since substantial changes to organization and management,
aspartofamodernizationprocess,mayprovidethenecessaryfoundationfor
bothanincreaseinpercapitaGDPandthecapacitytoinnovate.
(
33
)
Website for information :
www.rinno.com/
(
34
)
http://trendchart.cordis.lu/
SL
CH
|S
NO
PL
DL
DK
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2. Loslngmomentum l. Movlngahead
3. Catchlngup 4. Palllngfurther behlnd
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Averagechangeintrendindicators(%)
45
5.4.5TheInnovationRelayCentresNetwork
35
The mission of the IRCs is to support innovation and transnational techno-
logical co-operation in Europe with a range of specialised business support
services. IRC services are primarily targeted at technology-oriented small and
medium-sizedenterprises,butarealsoavailabletolargecompanies,research
institutes,universities,technologycentresandinnovationagencies.
ThefirstInnovationRelayCentreswereestablishedin1995withthesupportof
theEuropeanCommission.Theaimwastocreateapan-Europeanplatformto
stimulatetransnationaltechnologytransferandpromoteinnovationservices.
AsofOctober2004,71regionalIRCsspan33countries-25EUMemberStates
plusBulgaria,Romania,Iceland,Israel,Norway,Switzerland,TurkeyandChile.
Most IRCs are operated by consortia of qualified regional organisations such
as Chambers of Commerce, Regional Development Agencies and university
TechnologyCentres.Altogether,almost250partnerorganisationsareinvolved,
ensuringwidegeographiccoverage.
5.4.6BusinessandInnovationCentres
36
&theEuropeanBIC
Network
37
The BICs aim is to act as an instrument to assist regional development and
businesses by providing support for innovative businessmen and developing
SMEs.Their task is to help create new generations of innovative SMEs and to
developandmodernisethosewhichalreadyexist,aspartoftheprocessofin-
dustrialspatialplanning.Throughtheirrisk-adviserapproachbasedonapro-
fessionalapproachtobusiness,theBICshaveanimportantroletoplayinthe
disadvantagedregions.TheresultsoftheirworkledtheEuropeanCommission
to recommend, in its Guidelines for the Structural Funds 2000-2006 that the
regionalprogrammesshouldencouragetheestablishmentofsuchstructures
inallassistedareasandmoreintensiveuseoftheexistingBICsinimplementing
regionaldevelopmentmeasures.
EBNisaEuropeannetworkgathering160BICsandsimilarorganisationssuch
asincubators,innovationcentresandentrepreneurshipcentres.EBNwascre-
atedabout20yearsagobytheEuropeanCommissionandEuropeanIndustry
leaders.EBNisaBrussels-basedteamco-ordinatingtheactivitiesofthemem-
bersandprovidingservicestothem,includingimplementationofinternational
projects/contractswiththeEuropeanCommission.
5.4.7ISTResultsService
38
Over3.6billioneuroshavebeenspentonthousandsofnear-marketprojects
bytheEuropeanCommissionsInformationSocietyTechnologies(IST)research
initiative with more investment planned for the future. IST Results has been
developed by DG Information Society to help find out what is happening on
theuseofICTinallaspectsofworkandhomelife,includinghealth,transport,
leisure,retail,businesssystems,government,financeandcommunications.
The IST Results service gives on-line news and analysis on the emerging re-
sults from Information Society Technologies research. The service reports on
prototype products and services ready for commercialisation as well as work
in progress and interim results with significant potential for exploitation.The
service taps into the mainstream communications channels used by technol-
(
35
)
http://irc.cordis.lu/
(
36
)
policy/innovation/innovating/bic_en.htm
(
37
)
www.ebn.be
(
38
)
http://istresults.cordis.lu/
46
ogy users in business, industry and public authorities as well as connecting
withresearchnetworks,themediaandinvestors.
5.4.8PAXIS
39
PAXIS, the Pilot Action of Excellence on Innovative Start-ups, was launched
in1999,followingtheFirstEuropeanForumforInnovativeEnterprisesheldin
Vienna.This Pilot Action, launched by the European Commissions Enterprise
Directorate-General,hasthreemainpriorityareas:ThematicNetworks,consist-
ing of 22 European cities and regions, Projects designed to validate start-up
concepts,andAccompanyingMeasures,aimingtosupportPAXIS.
The European Commissions Enterprise Directorate-General developed PAXIS
to take example from the experience of the Regions of Excellence and learn
fromtheoutstandingpoliciesthatsupporttheirnetworkingactivities.Thisfa-
cilitatesbetterdocumentationofpolicydecisionsandtheelaborationofsolid
measures,whichenableregionstobemoreinnovativeandcompetitive,simul-
taneouslytransferringtheirexpertisetootherregions.Creationofnewinnova-
tiveenterprises,supportofspin-offcompaniesanddevelopmentofstart-ups
are some of the main policy objectives in both the EU and worldwide. PAXIS
aspirestogatheralltheseideasandrecommendationsandthroughadvanced
networkingandcollaboration,makethemprolificandaccessible.
5.4.9IPRHelpdesk
40
TheIntellectualPropertyRights(IPR)Helpdeskwasestablishedin1998byDG
EnterpriseinordertohelpSMEsandmembersoftheEU-fundedRTDcommu-
nitywithIPR-relatedissues.
The service includes a multilingual website, containing tutorials and guides,
and a free legal helpline.The Helpdesk deals with a wide variety of IPR ques-
tions ranging fromlicensing toconsortium agreements and any otherIPR
issuesthatarisewhenundertakingresearchactivities.
5.4.10TheGate2GrowthInitiative
41
TheGate2GrowthInitiative,whichissupportedbytheEuropeanCommission
underitsInnovation/SMEsprogramme,isthepan-EuropeanBusinessPlatform
for:
Entrepreneursseekingfnancing(BusinessMatching),
Investors(InvestorNet),
TechnologyIncubatorManagers(IncubatorForum),
KnowledgeTransferOfces(ProtonEurope),
Academia in entrepreneurship, innovation and fnance (Academic Net-
work),
Innovativecompaniesseekingexpertserviceproviders(ServiceCentre)
TheprimeobjectiveoftheGate2GrowthInitiativeistosupportinnovativeen-
trepreneursinEurope.
Inaddition,Gate2GrowthaimstoassistInnovationProfessionalsimprovetheir
capacity to assist entrepreneurs by fostering networking and the exchange
(
39
)
www.cordis.lu/paxis
(
40
)
www.ipr-helpdesk.org
(
41
)
www.gate2growth.com
4
of experience and good practice at European level.These include early stage
technology venture capital investors, managers of technology incubators,
managersofindustrialliaisonandtechnologytransferofficeslinkedtouniver-
sities and research centres, academics in entrepreneurship, finance research
andteaching.
Gate2Growththusprovidestools,infrastructureandsupportservicesdirected
toinnovativeentrepreneursaswellastotheirsupporters.
5.5Nationalsupportforinnovation
42
The General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) is the central
agencyfortheadministrationoftheGreekR&Dsystem,responsiblefordrawing
upandimplementingnationalR&Dstrategy.Currentprioritiesincludeincreas-
ingdemandfornewknowledgeandresearchresults,andreorganisationofthe
nationalresearchsystemtoincreaseitsmarketandinternationalorientation.
5.5.1TANEO
43
TANEO, the New Economy Development Fund, is a state-controlled invest-

mentvehiclethatstartedoperatingearly2002asaventurecapital(VC)fundof
fundstoinvestinGreekventurecapitalcompaniesorVCmutualfunds.TANEOs
mission is to finance private venture capital firms which invest in innovative
enterprisesintheirinitialstageofdevelopment.
TANEO considers only investment proposals from investment organisations
which focus primarily on venture capital investment in innovative businesses
thatareorwillbeactivewithintheneweconomy,e.g.telecommunications,
informationtechnology,e-commerce,biotechnology,newmaterials,orthose
withacompetitiveadvantagearisingfromtechnologyapplication.
TANEOisfinancedthroughaannualgovernmentbudgetstemmingfromthe
privatisation of public companies, sales of other public assets or provision of
rights.
Theorganisationskeychallengesareto:
Raiseapproximately150millioneurosuntilend2004tobespreadacross
fundstargetingGreekSMEsinvestinginneweconomyenterprises.
Bridgethegapbetweengovernmentandventurecapitalistssoastocre-
ateaframeworkforwin-wincollaboration,ensuring,amongotherthings,
bettertransparencyandalongertermvisionforinvestments.
SeizeuntappedinvestmentopportunitiesinGreece.
Extend its activities to companies outside the new economy sector,
whichstillrepresentaverylimitedsegmentofthemarket.
TANEOisrestrictedtobeingaminorityinvestorinanyventure,asthereshould
be no state control of the new businesses being developed. The role of the
stateistobeacatalyst,notakeyplayer.
TANEOhasastandardprocessforevaluatingbusinessplans,inthefollowing
way.Firstisconceptclearance,whichinvolvesaninitialscreeningoftheplans
submitted by those members of the funds management team with the best
expertiseintheindustryconcerned.
(
42
)
Websites for information:
http://cordis.europa.eu.int/greece/
and http://www.gsrt.gr/default.
asp?V_LANG_ID=2
(
43
)
www.taneo.gr
48
IfthebusinessproposalpassesthefirsttestTANEOwillinvitetheentrepreneurs
andtheinvestmentpartnerforaninterviewwiththemanagementteam.Such
face-to-face meetings allow the investment partner to better understand the
non quantifiable aspects of the potential partnership such as the aspirations
and ambition of the entrepreneurs and the personal chemistry between po-
tentialcollaborators.
Finallythesubmissionofafullbusinessplanisrequested,withanapproximate
5-yearprojectionofthebusiness.Inthefinalevaluationofthefullbusinessplan
itpassesthroughalegalandeconomiccontrolandauditing.Last,thebusiness
plan is submitted to an investment committee that has the final word in ap-
proving,askingforclarifications/modificationsorrejectingtheinvestment.
Theselectionofinvestmentorganisationsisbasedonsimilarcriteriatothose
usedbyventurecapitalfirmstoselectcompaniesforinvestment.Thesecriteria
comprisetheapplicantsmanagementteam,thesuitabilityofthetargetmar-
ket, anticipated investments, deal track record, investment strategy, balance
betweenfundsizeandexpecteddealssize,financialviabilityandcommercial
andlegaltermsaswellasevidenceofsupportfromprivatesectorinvestors.
TANEO is entitled to audit the investment organisation and its investments
as and when it sees fit, using the auditors of its choice. Agreements between
TANEOandeachinvestmentorganisationwillensuresufficientdiversification
ofinvestments,thatinvestmentsaremadeonlyatarmslength,incompanies
independentfromtheshareholders/participantsintheinvestmentorganisa-
tion,theobligationtopayincapitalcontributionsincashandtheprotectionof
minorityrightsandthemannerinwhichsuchrightsareexercised.
Further, TANEO is launching an initiative for supporting and promoting the
concept of business angels together with the Greek Federation of Entrepre-
neurs (EENE). For example TANEO will support business angels by providing
a20%downsideprotectionincaseofbankruptcyoftheventureinwhichthe
businessangelisinvesting.
TANEOistheorganiserbehindtheVentureCapitalForum,anannualeventpro-
vidingtheopportunityforresearchers,newentrepreneurs,start-upcompanies
andnewtechnology-basedfirmstoparticipateinbilateralbusinessmeetings
withGreekandinternationalventurecapitalfirms.
The International Venture Capital Forum with entrepreneurs from innovative
start-up companies and new technology-based firms in Greece, Bulgaria,
Cyprus, Israel, Romania and Turkey is the largest international private equity
foruminSoutheastEurope.
49
/rrox |
Maps
Regionaleconomies
basedonknowledgeand
technologicalinnovation
eEuropeRegio:The
informationsocietyat
theserviceofregional
development
Regionalidentityandaus-
tainabledevelopment
ERIK
IANIS
SD
ERIC+IANIS
ERIC+SD
IANIS-SD
RegionalProgrammesofInnovativeActions2001-2006
NetworkofInnovativeActions
50
/rrox ||
Glossaryofterms
Benchmarking
Themeasurementofperformanceagainstbestpracticeasameansofsettinggoalsfor
improvementappliedbyfirmstobusinessprocessesorbynationalorregionalpolicy-
makers.
Bestpractice
Themethodsandachievementsofrecognizedleader(s)inaparticularfield.
Cluster
Agroupingoflargecompanies,smallandmedium-sizedenterprisesanduniversitiesor
largepublicresearchinstitutionsoperatinginaparticularsectorandregiondesigned
tostimulateinnovativeactivitybypromotingintensiveinteractions.
CommunitySupportFrameworks
The Community Support Frameworks (CSF) coordinate EU regional activities, occasion-
allyinvolvingthefourStructuralFunds(ERDFEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund,
ESF European Social Fund, EAGGF - European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund,FIFG-FinancialInstrumentforFisheriesGuidance)andtheEIB-EuropeanInvest-
mentBank.Ineachcase,however,theprojectsmustbeincorporatedintoplansalready
developedbynationalauthorities,regionalauthoritiesandtheireconomicpartners.
EU-15/EU-25
Euro-jargonacronymsreferringrespectivelytothe15and25EuropeanUnion Member
Statesbeforeandafter01/05/2004.
EuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF)
TheERDFisintendedtohelpreduceimbalancesbetweenregionsoftheCommunity.The
Fundwassetupin1975andgrantsfinancialassistancefordevelopmentprojectsinthe
poorerregions.Intermsoffinancialresources,theERDFisbyfarthelargestoftheEUs
StructuralFunds.
IMTs
Innovation ManagementTechniques. Methodologies and tools supporting the process
of innovation. IMTs operate in R&D, innovation finance, technology transfer, product /
processdevelopment,andtechnologynetworking.
ManagingBody
AnorganisationassignedtocarryoutthemanagementandadministrationofaPRAI
NUTS
TheNomenclatureofTerritorialUnitsforStatistics(NUTS)wascreatedbytheEuropean
OfficeforStatistics(Eurostat)inordertocreateasingleandcoherentstructureofterrito-
rialdistribution.IthasbeenusedintheCommunitylegislationpertainingtotheStruc-
turalFundssince1988.
Thecurrentnomenclaturesubdividesthe15countriesoftheEuropeanUnioninto:
78 NUTS level 1 territorial units: the German Lnder, regions in Belgium, Denmark,
Sweden,Ireland,WalesandScotland,theareasincludedinthespatialplanningstudy
ZEATinFrance,andotherlargeregions.
210NUTSlevel2territorialunits:theautonomousregionsinSpain,Frenchregionsand
overseasdepartments(DOM),theBelgianandDutchprovinces,theItalianregions,the
AustrianLnder,theGermanRegierungsbezirke (primaryadministrativesub-division
ofaLnd)etc.
1093NUTSlevel3territorialunits:theNomoiinGreece,theMaakunnatinFinland,the
LninSweden,theKreiseinGerman,theFrenchdepartments,theSpanishandItalian
provincesetc.
EligibilityforObjective1aswellasforthePRAIsisprincipallydefinedwithreference
toNUTSlevel2,whileObjective2areasaregenerallydefinedwithreferencetoNUTS
level3.
51
Objectives1and2
The Agenda 2000 reform of the structural funds focuses assistance available under the
Communitys regional policy on crucial development problems.The present rules thus
envisagethesettingofthreepriorityobjectives,ascomparedwithsixpreviously.
Objective 1:promotesthecatching-upoftheeconomiesofregionswhosedevelopment
islaggingbehind.Itisregionalised inthatitappliestostatisticallydemarcatedregions.
OnlythosewhosepercapitaGDPislessthan75%oftheCommunityaverageareeligible.
Thesevenoutermostregions,theareasinSwedenandFinlandwithverylowpopulation
densityandNorthernIrelandalsoreceiveassistance.Inall,Objective1coverssixtyorso
regionsinthirteenMemberStates.Transitionalsupportisalsoavailableoveraseven-year
period for the regions previously eligible between 1994 and 1999 and a performance
reserve for the most virtuous regions has been set up. Objective 1 receives 70% of the
structuralfunds budget(i.e.137billionoversevenyears),whichisbrokendownbetween
thefourfunds(ERDF,ESF,EAGGFGuidanceSectionandFIFG).Basicinfrastructures,the
developmentofhumanresources,investmentinresearchandinnovation,andtheinfor-
mationsocietyarethefourmainpriorityareas.
Objective 2:contributestotheeconomicandsocialconversionofregionsinstructural
difficulties.Itisalsoregionalised:thedemarcationofeligibleareasdependsbothonna-
tionalandEuropeanpopulationceilings(18%oftheUnionspopulation)andonspecific
socio-economic criteria. Four categories of eligible area are defined: areas undergoing
economicchangeinindustryandtheservicesector,decliningruralareas,urbanareasin
difficultyanddepressedareasdependentonfisheries.Sincealltheirterritoryiseligible
underObjective1,Greece,IrelandandPortugaldonotqualifyforassistanceunderOb-
jective 2.Transitional support is also available for the regions previously eligible under
Objectives 2 and 5(b) during the period 1994-99. The Objective 2 budget amounts to
22.5billionoversevenyears(11.5%ofthetotalbudget)andisfinancedbytheERDFand
theESF.
Operationalprogramme
ItmeansthedocumentapprovedbytheCommissiontoimplementaCommunitySup-
port Framework and comprising a consistent set of priorities comprising multiannual
measures and which may be implemented through recourse to one or more Funds, to
oneormoreoftheotherexistingfinancialinstrumentsandtotheEuropeanInvestment
Bank. An integrated operational programme means an operational programme is fi-
nancedbymorethanoneFund.
Spin-off/Spin-out
Anewcompanyestablishedtocommercialisetheknowledgeandskillsofauniversityor
corporateresearchteam.
Start-up
Anewlyformedcompany.
StructuralFunds
The EUs Structural Funds are administered by the Commission to finance Community
structuralaid.TheycomprisetheGuidanceSectionoftheEAGGFforagriculture,theRe-
gionalFundforstructuralaidundertheregionalpolicy,theSocialFundforsocialpolicy
measures, and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries (FIFG). Financial support from the
StructuralFundsmainlygoestothepoorerregionstostrengthentheUnionseconomic
andsocialcohesionsothatthechallengesofthesinglemarketcanbemetrightacross
theEU.
SWOTanalysis
AnanalysistechniquecomparingtheinternalStrengthsandWeaknessesagainsttheex-
ternalOpportunitiesandThreats
Technologyaudit
Aformalmethodforevaluatingacompanystechnologyassetsandrequirements.
Technologytransfer
The transfer of technology or know-how between organisations through licensing or
marketingagreements,co-developmentarrangements,trainingortheexchangeofper-
sonnel.
52
/rrox |||
Abbreviations
CSF CommunitySupportFramework
DG DirectorateGeneral
EC EuropeanCommission
ERDF EuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund
EU EuropeanUnion
GNP GrossNationalProduct
ICT InformationandCommunicationTechnologies
R&TD Research&TechnologyDevelopment
ROP RegionalOperatingProgramme
SME SmallandMedium-sizedEnterprise
PRAI,RPIA RegionalProgrammeofInnovativeActions
RTP RegionalTechnologyPlans
RTT Pluri-RegionalTechnologyTransferProjects
RIS,RIS+ RegionalInnovationStrategies
IRISI Inter-RegionalInformationSocietyInitiative
RISI1,RISI2,RISI+
Pluri-Regional Pilot Projects / Applications in the field of the
InformationSociety
RITTS RegionalInnovationandTechnologyTransferStrategies
TRIPS Trans-RegionalInnovationProjects
RIS-NAC
Regional Innovation Strategies for Newly Associated Coun-
tries
KnowREG RegionsofKnowledgeinitiative
53
/rrox |\
Summaries of the Greek Regional Programmes of
InnovativeActions
Greeceisdividedinto13regions,whichconstitutethedecentralisedadminis-
trativeunitsofthestateaccordingtoLaw2503/1997
44
.Thisdivisionfollowsthe
2000-2006periodNUTSlevel2areaclassificationforGreekregionsaspictured
inthefollowingtable.
NUTS 2 Region PRAI
GR11
AnatolikiMakedonia&Thraki(Eastern
Macedonia&Thrace)
TechnogenesisinREMTh
GR12
KentrikiMakedonia(CentralMacedo-
nia)
Excellence-in-CM
GR13 DytikiMakedonia(WestMacedonia) K-CLUSTERS
GR14 Thessalia(Thessaly) INVENT
GR21 Ipeiros(Epirus) ENTI
GR22 IoniaNisia(IonianIslands) 3I
GR23 DytikiEllada(WesternGreece) INNACT-RWG
GR24 StereaEllada(ContinentalGreece) RISE
GR25 Peloponissos(Peloponnesse) RIPE
GR3 Attiki(Attica) ARI-ACT
GR41 VoreioAigaio(NorthAegean) NAIAS
GR42 NotioAigaio(SouthAegean) ISTOS
GR43 Kriti(Crete) CRINNO
Subsequentlyatwopagesummaryofthe13RegionalProgrammesofInnova-
tiveActions(PRAIs)withtherelevantcontactinformationisprovided.
FormoreinformationonPRAIsattheEUlevelcontactshouldbemadewith:
EuropeanCommission
DirectorateGeneralRegionalPolicy
DirectorateThematicdevelopment,impact,evaluationandinnovativeactions
Unit Innovative Actions
B-1049Brussels
Belgium
E-mail:regio-innovative-actions@cec.eu.int
Fax:+32(2)2955360
(
44
)
www.ypes.gr/kapodistrias/index.html
54
IntroductiontoRegionalInnovation
F
ollowing the overall analysis of the situation concerning Innovation in
Greece,itisveryinterestingtoseeindetailtheactionsofthePrograms,in
ordertobeabletoformadetailedpictureofthespectrumandthevarietyof
theapproachtoInnovationundertakenbytheGreekRegions.
EspeciallyfortheRegionofWesternMacedonia,atraditionallyisolatedRegion
andsociety,thiseditionconstitutesanimportanttoolinassistingthelocalac-
tors to know the visions and ambitions, as well as the efforts undertaken for
theimplementationofinnovativeactionsandactivitiesfromtheotherGreek
Regions. Therefore, this edition is expected to positively contribute towards
wideninguptheperspectiveofthelocalactorsandincreasingtheaddedvalue
oftheplanningoftheirfutureinnovativeactionsatalllevelsandnamelyduring
thepreparationofthenextgenerationoftheRegionalOperationalProgram.
Ontheotherhand,thiseditioncontributestowardsstrengtheningthealready
closerelationsdevelopedamongtheGreekRegionsthatactuallyformavirtual
forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences for projects, interventions
and actions in the field of Innovation. It is certain that the registration of all
theGreekInnovativeActionsinoneeditionwillassisttheenrichmentanddis-
seminationofthedatabaseofHellenicInnovation.
Finally, the brief description of the various actions of the Greek Innovation
ProgramswillformanidealbackgroundforthefamiliarizationoftheRegions
of the neighbouring countries with Innovation in Greece, a request often ex-
pressedtotherepresentativesoftheGreekProgramsofInnovation.Thefocal
pointofthisattemptistheenrichmentofthethinktankofthesecountrieswith
examplesandcasesofactionsimplementedintheirvicinity,bypeoplewitha
verysimilarmentalityandattitude.Thus,theycanmoreeasilyexploittherich
experienceacquiredandadaptittothespecificlocalconditions,intheframe-
workoftheirfutureeffortofintroducingInnovationwithintheireconomyand,
ultimately,intotheirsociety.
Considering this edition an important effort that increases the overall added
valueoftheimplementationoftheInnovativeActionsinGreece,Iinviteyouto
readinthefollowingpagestheInnovativeActionsoftheGreekRegions.
YannisFallas
ProjectManageroftheK-Clusters
InnovativeActionsoftheRegionofWesternMacedonia
55
|o||or|c |og|crs
56
KnowledgeClustersinWestMacedonia
Programme Acronym
K-Clusters
Themes
TechnologicalInnovation
InformationSociety
RegionalIdentity&SustainableDevel-
opment
Duration
32months
05/2003-12/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.500.000
Public 750.000
Private 750.000
Web-site
www.pepdym.gr
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
SustainableDevelopment
NationalInnovationNetwork
Sectors
Energy
BrownCoalAshResidue
Marble
Fur,Leather
Wood
Specialmaterialrecycling
Managing Body
ManagementAuthorityfortheROPofthe
RegionofWestMacedonia
Strategy
The proactive policy of k-clusters is to create the public-private
partnershipthatcanplayanimportantroleindevelopingknowledge
generation through inter-regional collective learning and cross-sec-
torinteractiveprocesses.Thus,theSMEs(privatesector)lookfortheir
own path to face the economic challenges by seeking innovative
activitiesandtheregionalauthoritiesconsideralargerroleinbuild-
ing innovation policy efficiency and in promoting competitiveness.
Theclusterapproachwillnotproducecompetence,especiallyinthe
smallorfamilyrunfirmsofWesternMacedonia,unlessthisnetwork-
ingissponsoredbyacollectiveregionalinterestthatwillacthorizon-
tallyandwhichcan:
Providecontinuousflowofcommunicationandknowledgetrans-
fercapability
Promoteinnovationandcollectivelyattractthirdpartyfinancing
Partnership
GeneralSecretaryoftheRegionofWestMacedonia
DirectorandrepresentativesofR.O.P.ManagementAuthority
DirectorandrepresentativesoftheRegionalDevelopmentFund
InnovationExperts
RepresentativeofMinistryofNationalEconomyandFinance
RepresentativeofMinistryofMacedonia&Thrace
PresidentofWestMacedoniaTechnicalChambersBranch
PresidentofKozaniChambersofCommerce&Industry
Representative of Solid Fuel Technology and Applications Insti-
tute
DirectorofHellenicFurCenter
DirectorofGrevenaDevelopmentAgency(ANGRES.A.)
DirectorofIntermunicipalWasteManagementAgency(DIADYMA
S.A.)
RepresentativeofUniversityofWesternMacedonia
RepresentativeofURENIOResearchUnit
RepresentativeofUniversityofThessaly
DirectorofDevelopmentProgramDirection(ANKOS.A.)
PresidentofWestMacedoniaEconomicChambersBranch
5
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
christos.bezirtzoglou@cec.eu.int
EU Contact person
@
KnowledgeClustersinWestMacedonia
Region
DytikiMakedonia
Status
Objective1area
Surface Area (in sq. km)
9.451
Population
293.015
Regional Innovation history
RIS(1996-1999)
RIS+(2000-2002)
www.perdytmak.gr
Theme: Technological Innovation
Sub-theme: Business Advisory services: Technology forecasting and Technology
Audits in SMEs
DevelopmentofInnovationinthesectorofMarble.
www.tdm.tee.gr/mar.in.gr
Sub-theme: Clusters and business networks: development of a regional innova-
tion strategy
DevelopmentofInnovationinthesub-contractingsupplychains
ofthePublicPowerCorporation.
www.kozani.chambernet.gr
Audits in SMEs
DevelopmentofNewProductswiththeuseoftheLignitecon-
sumptionresiduetefra.
www.flyash.gr
Audits in SMEs
DevelopmentofNewProducts,methodsofmanufacturingand/
ordevelopmentprocessintheFurandLeathersectors.
www.furs.gr
Audits in SMEs
Development of New products and/or manufacturing process
and/ormethodsintheWoodsector.
www.angre.gr
Theme: Regional identity and sustainable development
Sub-theme: Services and applications for the citizen: health, administration,
education
DevelopmentofInnovation,intermsofnewservicesandentre-
preneurship,inthefieldofthecollection,re-useandrecyclingof
specificmaterials.
www.diadyma.gr
Theme: Information Society
Sub-theme: Services and applications for SMEs: electronic commerce and trans-
actions, education and training, networking
E-clusterknowledgetools.
www.uowm.gr,www.urenio.org
InnovativeKnowledgeManagement.
www.innowestmac.gr,www.anko.gr/eic
Yannis Fallas
ProjectManager
+30-2310-446560
+30-24610-49948
thessis@otenet.gr
Further information
@
58
TechnogenesisinRegionEasternMacedonia
&Thrace
Programme Acronym
TechnogenesisinREMTH
Themes
InformationSociety
Regional Identity & Sustainable Devel
opment
Duration
36months
01/2003-12/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.800.000
Public 690.000
Private 200.000
Web-site
www.technogenesis.gr/index.
jsp?setlanguage=en_US
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Businessservices
Managing Body
ManagingAuthorityof the ROP of the Re-
gionofEasternMacedonia&Thrace
Strategy
TheTechnogenesisProgrammeintroducesapilotinnovationstrat-
egy in the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. It focuses on the
development of a regional network among different segments of
the regional production system, including local technological insti-
tutions, technological service providers, researchers and innovators,
andsourcesoffinance.Thepilotprogrammeisstructuredinthefol-
lowingactionsandmeasures:
Mobilization for likely new products ideas: Soliciting individual
ideas, Soliciting group ideas, Refining ideas, Clustering of ideas,
Evaluation,TechnogenesisWebGate.
TechnologyClinics.
InvestmentOpportunityForumandNewVenturesFunding
Partnership
The programme is is a public-private partnership, co-ordinated by
theRegionsGeneralSecretariat,withparticipationfrom:
Localauthoritiesandregionalgovernment
RegionalChambersofIndustryandCommerce
Highereducationandresearchinstitutions,including:
URENIOresearchUnit-AristotelesUniversityofThessaloniki
NCRTD
DimokritosUniversityofThrace
TEIofKavala
ThessalonikiTechnologyPark
Privateorganisations,suchas:
BrainstormingLtd LocusConsultantsLtd
EuroconsultantsSA FormatConsultantsSA
Hellenic Technology Transfer
CentreSA
CITE Centre for Innovation
andTelematics
PlanningSA CapitalTrustSA
DiadikasiaSA UnitechHellasLtd
AtlantisConsultingLtd MetronConsultingGP
InnovatiaLtd DataConLtd
EmetrisSA OrganotechnicalSA
EurotecSA
The programme ensures participation from major stakeholders of

regionalinnovationstrategyandpolicymakingincluding:
EnlargedPrefectureofKavalaDramaXanthi
EnlargedPrefectureofRodopiEvros
LocalUnionsofMunicipalitiesandCommunities
TheHellenicBanksAssociation
TheRegionsCommerceandIndustryChambers
TheRegionalDevelopmentFundofREMTh
TheManagingAuthorityoftheROPofREMTh
InnovationExperts
59
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
Region
AnatolikiMakedonia&Thraki
Status
Objective1area
14.157
Population
570.977
RITTS(1998-2001)
www.remth.gr
TechnogenesisinRegionEasternMacedonia&Thrace
Audits in SMEs
Regionalintelligence:Succeededinmobilisingpeopleandiden-
tifying300ideasforinnovativeproductsandservices.
Sub-theme: Business Advisory services: Product Innovation
Developmentof70BusinessPlansforInnovativeProducts
Sub-theme: Research, Technological Development and Innovation Infrastruc-
ture
Development ofTechnoGenesis Portal to Support Regional In-
novation.
Audits in SMEs
Exercise: Technology Clinics to support the 70 new identified
productideas.
Sub-theme: Innovation financial engineering: Investment Opportunity Forum
Investment Opportunity Forum to stimulate synergies for new
ventures.
Sub-theme: Innovation financial engineering: seed and venture capital
Provisionofgrantsfordevelopmentofnewproductsandserv-
ices.
Christos Emmanouilidis
ProjectManager
+30-25310-82722
+30-25310-81897
christosem@remth.gr
grafeioepan@remth.gr
Further information
@
60
Programme Acronym
Excellence-in-CM
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
36months
01/2003-12/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 3.000.000
Public 750.000
Private 750.000
Web-site
www.urenio.org/excellence/
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Telematics
Agro-Biotechnologies
IndustrialProcesses-Materials-Nano-
technology
Environment
Transportnetworks
Energy
HumanResources
SoutheasternEuropeanEconomic
Area
Tourism
Health
Consulting
Education
Ecologicalfoodcluster
HTBEcluster
Managing Body
ManagementAuthorityfortheROPCentral
Macedonia
Strategy
The Programme Excellence in Central Macedonia, focuses on the
creationofanenvironmentofinnovationthatwillacceleratethein-
troductionofbusinesses,researchcentres,andtechnologyintermedi-
aryorganisationsoftheRegiontotheworldofbusinessintelligence,
smartproducts,technologywatchandforesight.
TheaimistostrengthentheRegionsoutwardorientationandcom-
petitivenessthroughthediffusionandapplicationofbusinessexcel-
lence andworld-class manufacturing principles, and to promote a
knowledge-basedregionaleconomy.
It launches a revised strategy for regional innovation and develop-
ment based on the concepts of high tech clusters, technology
foresight and technology clinics, as well as experimentation with
pilotactionsthatwerenevertested,whichinvolvethemajorregional
actorsandestablishpermanentalliancesamongthelearninginstitu-
tionsofCentralMacedonia.
Attheheartofthestrategyareanumberofselectedindustrialclus-
ters representing important and emerging industries of the Region
(i.e. Agriculture, Food and beverage,Textiles and clothing, Chemical
products, Electrical machinery,Telecommunications, Software, Phar-
maceuticals,Medicalservices).
Central Macedonia is looking to improve its international position
and profile on the basis of innovation-driven and knowledge-based
regionaldevelopment.
Partnership
GeneralSecretaryoftheRegion
RegionalDevelopmentFund
ROPCentralMacedoniaManagementAuthority
FederationofIndustriesofNorthernGreece
AssociationsofExportersofNorthernGreece
Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern
Greece
Trade Unions Centre ofThessaloniki & Macedonian Employment
Institute
CentreforResearchandTechnology
AristotleUniversityofThessaloniki
UniversityofMacedonia
BusinessandCulturalDevelopmentCentre
Innovationexperts
APITEIA
THN KENTPIKH MAKEONIA
ExcellenceinCentralMacedonia
61
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
Sub-theme: Other Research, Technological Development and Innovation
projects
Implementationoftechnologyforesightanddiffusionofresults
http://foresight.rc.auth.gr
tion strategy
Encouragementofclusteringandco-operationofSMEsinareas
of technology transfer, innovation, quality control, marketing
andpromotionofproducts.
www.e-kepa.gr
projects
New products development and diffusion to farmers and food
enterprises,accordingtoorganicfarmingprinciple.
http://biofood.sbbe.gr
tion strategy
Start-upofinnovativebusinessactions-Hightechnologybased
enterprises.
www.aristeia.gr
Audits in SMEs
Technologytransferthroughtechnologyclinics.
http://services.thestep.gr/clinics/
projects
Innovationandbusinessexcellenceprize.
www.techpath.gr/gr/Clinics/index.html
Sub-theme: SMEs innovation projects with Universities and Technology Centres
Creation of a internet database of best research projects; dis-
seminationoftheresultsandexploitationoftheoutcomes.
www.vrc.gr
Audits in SMEs
Trainingininnovationmanagement.
http://benchmarking.inatelecom.org
tion strategy
e-partenariat: networking of national counsellors in EU for ex-
changinginformation,expertiseandmethodology.
www.e-partenariat.net
Sub-theme: Research, Technological Development and Innovation infrastruc-
ture
Permanent observatory to support innovation-driven regional
developmentpolicies.
www.orie.gr
Region
KentrikiMakedonia
Status
Objective1area
19.146
Population
1.792.304
RTP(1995-1997)
RIS+(1999-2000)
ReciteII:INNOREGIO(1999-2001)
FP5: InnoTender & Innovation-on-Line
(2000-2001)
www.rcm.gr
Lila Oreopoulou
ProjectManager
+30-2310-409104
+30-2310-409190
lilaoreo@mou.gr
Further information
ExcellenceinCentralMacedonia
@
62
Strategy
The INVENT programme aims to implement a series of cross-secto-
ralinnovativeactionsinThessaly.Theprogrammeisfocusedonthe
development of new products and encourages the establishment
of innovative enterprises with links to educational institutions and
researchcentres.INVENTreinforcesthecreation,disseminationand
integration of knowledge within the productive fabric as a principal
sourceofinnovationandregionalcompetitiveadvantage.
Theobjectiveoftheprogrammeistodevelopandsupporttheability
ofenterprisesintheRegionofThessalytodevelopnewproductsand
services.Fromtheoverallprocessofnewproductdevelopment,our
strategypursuestwoaims:
theimprovementofexternalconditionsandtheregionalinstitu-
tionalenvironmentforthecreationofnewproductsbylocalcom-
panieswiththesupportofintermediaryagencies,and
thediffusionofnewproductmodelstoalargenumberofregional
companies belonging to the sectors of manufacturing and tour-
ism.
The main aim of improvement of the external conditions for new
product development will be achieved with pilot projects focusing
onthecreationofbusinessclustersenhancingcreativity,technology
intelligence, and technology watch, the setting up of new indus-
trialdesignsupportcentres,andthepromotionoflearningnetworks
among businesses, academia and research centres.The second aim
ofdiffusionofnewproductmodelstoalargenumberofcompanies
will be achieved with dissemination practices, spin-off companies,
company mentoring schemes, which transfer the results obtained
in specific companies and technology centres to the entire regional
productivefabric.
Partnership
RegionalAuthorityofThessaly
URENIOResearchUnit
RegionalFundforDevelopmentofThessaly
UniversityofThessaly
TehnologyParkofThessaly
DevelopmentAgenciesofKarditsa,Trikala,MagnesiaandLarisa
Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Larisa, Magnesia, Trikala
andKarditsa
AssociationofThessalianIndustries
AssociationofIndustriesofThessaly&CentralGreece
TechnologicalInstituteofLarisa
EVETAM
Metallurgical Industrial Research & Technological Development
Centre
NationalCentreforAgriculturalResearch
Programme Acronym
INVENT
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
21months
01/2002-09/2003
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.985.000
Public 790.000
Private 900.000
Web-site
www.innothessaly.gr
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Tourism
Food
Wood
Managing Body
RegionalDevelopmentFundofThessaly
InnovativeVenturesinThessaly
63
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
Region
Thessalia
Status
Objective1area
14.037
Population
734.846
RITTS(1994-1996)
RIS(1996-1998)
RIS+(2000-2002)
www.thessalia.gr
InnovativeVenturesinThessaly
Sub-theme: High - Tech Start-Ups and Spin-Offs
Providingsupportforthecreationof10start-upinnovativeen-
terprises.
Sub-theme: Mechatronics Prototyping Centre (MPC)
Creation of a regional organization that will utilize the RISC
frameworkinordertoprovideprototypingservicesinconjunc-
tionwiththeregionalindustries.
Sub-theme: Innovative Products in Tourism
Creationofaregionalqualitystandardspecification.
Sub-theme: Innovative Agro-Ventures
Entrepreneurship pertaining to new products/new markets for
theagro-businesssection.
Sub-theme: Regional Innovative Entrepreneurship Support Centre (RISC)
Settingupofanetworkformobilizingregionalcentresoftech-
nology transfer aimed at facilitating direct contacts between
the technological council specialists and regional SMEs in the
frameworkofThessalyInnovationpolicy.
Sub-theme: Learning Networks and Innovation Management
Retooling the innovation capacity of the region with the ap-
propriate inter-regional thematic networking for best practice
transfer, a regional documentation and measurement system
forinnovationwithdisseminationcapabilitiesandatoolboxfor
on-lineinnovation.
Anastassios Pappis
ProjectManager
+30-2410-581310
+30-2410-554368
ptathes@otenet.gr
Further information
@
64
EntrepeneurshipThroughInnovationinEpirus
Programme Acronym
ENTI
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
36months
06/2003-05/2006
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 1.046.000
Public 284.000
Private 50.000
Web-site
www.bicepirus.gr/enti/
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Tourism
Transport
ICT
Managing Body
BusinessInnovationCentre(BIC)ofEpirus
Strategy
Theprogramaspirestoprovideactualresultsthatcouldinfluencepri-
oritiesofregionalstrategyinapositiveway.Theactionsaspiretode-
veloppolicyorientationsandmeasuresthatwillspeedupinnovative
thinkingandinnovationintheregion.Thiswillhappenonlythrough
thecollaborationofthelocalactorsandtheuseofthealreadyexist-
inginfrastructuresaswellasthefutureones.
AllactionsareaffectedbytheresultsofpreviousCommunitySupport
Frame,thestrategicanalysisoftheregionwhichtookplaceinduring
theRISprogramandthenewCommunitySupportFramethataspires
toreorientateandsupportlocalSMEsorcreatenewones.
Theobjectivesoftheprogrammeare:
ThedevelopmentoftheregionasthenewwesterngateofGreece
to Northern Greece and Europe and the use of the competitive
advantagescreatedbythenewtransportinfrastructures.
The further development of the urban infrastructures and serv-
ices.
The development of tourism the protection and development
ofthenaturalandculturalregionalresources.
Thesustainabledevelopmentofthenon-urbanareas.
ThequalitativedevelopmentofHumanpotential.
Partnership
GeneralSecretaryoftheRegion
PrefectsofArta,Thesprotia,Ioannina&Preveza
UniversityofIoannina
ChambersofArta,Thesprotia,Ioannina&Preveza
RegionalFundforDevelopmentofEpirus
BICEpirus
65
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
EntrepeneurshipThroughInnovationinEpirus
Region
Ipeiros
Status
Objective1area
9.203
Population
339.728
RIS(1998-2000)
RISI1
RISI2
www.roe.gr
Sub-theme: Shared business services: incubator units and creation of technol-
ogy based firms
Creationofnewenterprisesandsupportingnewinnovativeen-
trepreneurialideasintheserviceindustrystemmingoutofnew
regional developments such as the Egnatia highway, the port
of Igoumenitsa and the University of Epirus expansion (SWOT
analysis,creationofaguideonnewemploymentopportunities,
networkedclusterscreation,workshopsorganisation,awareness
raisingandbusinessplancompetition).
ogy based firms
Innovative and flexible training (analysis of training needs re-
lated to entrepreneurship supported in previous action, pilot
trainingactions).
Sub-theme: Innovation financial engineering: seed and venture capital
Efficientpromotionofprivatefinancing:creationofaguide,visits
forbusinessangelsandcorporateinvestors,matchingevents).
Audits in SMEs
Regionalforesightexercise,basedonscenarioanalysisin3sec-
tors (transport, tourism, ICT) and 2 main issues (Epirus and the
new link gate withWestern Europe, impact of EU enlargement
onstructuralfunds).
projects
Innovation policy interface committee: 5-7 members (regional
authority, BIC, university, 1 Development Company and 1 CCI)
meeting every 3 months, to act as an advisory board to the
Steeringcommitteeandavoidduplicationofactionsandfocus
onneeds.
Audits in SMEs
Innovation week: awareness raising on innovation, workshops,
publicationsandtrainingactivities.
Developmentofane-commerceandinformationmanagement
facilitytoassist35-40enterprisestointroducee-commerceinto
theirbusinessactivity.
Katerina Filippou -Keramida
ProjectManager
+30-26510-44447
+30-26510-44467
bicerpirus@ioa.forthnet.gr
Further information
@
66
InnovationintheIonianIslands
Programme Acronym
3I
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
48months
06/2003-05/2006
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.880.000
Public 850.000
Private 900.000
Web-site
http://hermes.westgate.gr/3i
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Tourism
Managing Body
Management Authority for the ROP of Io-
nianIslands
Strategy
The strategy imposed by 3I is interconnected to the regional needs
toincludeIonianIslandsintotheneweraofeconomywhileprotect-
ing the traditional business practices and retain the strong regions
identityanddistinctiveculturalcharacteristics.
Thisstrongsocialneeddrivestheregionintopoliciesforinclusionof
onlysofttechnologiesandtheblendingofdigitalservicesintotradi-
tionalservicesprovidinginformationandcontextforthecreationof
innovativeactionsinthetourismsector
Partnership
RegionalAuthorityofIonianIslands
ManagementAuthorityfortheROPofIonianIslands
RegionalDevelopmentfundofIonianIslands
Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (RACTI)
TelematicsCenterofWesternGreece,EpirusandIonianIslands
department.
TheIndustrialandCommercialChambersoftheIonianIslands
TourismCorporationoftheIonianIslands(ETIN)
AristotleUniversityUrenioResearchUnit
6
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
InnovationintheIonianIslands
Region
IoniaNisia
Status
Objective1area
2.307
Population
193.734
-
www.ionianislands.gr/
Audits in SMEs
Innovative knowledge management: awareness (campaign,
technologytransferevents,etc.),supporttoinnovationbusiness
planningandmarketingwithconsultants,portaltoprovidecom-
mercialandinnovationservicesconcerningtheIonianIslands.
ogy based firms
Innovativestart-upsandspin-offsinthetourismsector(10firms
tobecreated,trainingactivities,searchforthirdpartyfinancing,
etc.).
Digital Ionian Islands: creation of a digital platform to provide
digitizedinformation(travel,leisure,business,shopping,cultural
events,whattosee,etc.)tobeusedfornewinnovativeservices
inthetourismsector.
education
Intelligentregionalriskmanagementsystemintegratingalarge
setofenvironmentalandrelatedsocio-ecodatabases,aGISand
arule-basedexpertsystemfortheassessmentofenvironmental
issues.
Sub-theme: Ecological tourism
Quality in tourism: Enhancing the qualitative characteristics of
regionaltourismeconomyandsupportingaregionalenterprise
benchmarkinginthetourismsector.
Athanassios Spiggos
+30-2661-080830
+30-2661-033651
tspiggos@mou.gr
Further information
@
68
InnovativeActionsintheregionof
WesternGreece
Programme Acronym
INN-ACT
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
27months
01/2002-03/2004
Funding (final)
ERDF 2.852.265
Public 113.251
Private 643.895
Web-site
www.ptapde.gr/projects/innact
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
InnovationtransfertoSMEs
Entrepreneurship
Health
OrganicFarming
Managing Body
RegionalDevelopmentFundof
RegionofWesternGreece
Strategy
TheregionofWesternGreeceelaboratedaProgrammeofinnovative
actions, which was aiming at supporting decisively the innovation
in its geographical and administrative limits while at the same time
reducing the technology gap that separates it from other more
developed regions in the European Union. Towards this aim it has
chosen to cover through a well-planned number of actions all the
threestrategicthemesoftheERDFInnovativeActionswiththeview
ofvivifyingitsregionaleconomy,boostingitsregionaldevelopment,
andstressingandmaintainingitsregionalidentity.Theproposedex-
tensiveuseofthenewinformationandcommunicationtechnologies
warrantiestheefficiencyoftheendeavourandensuresthesuccessof
the Programme. RWG attempts to play a supplementary but crucial
role to the application of state-of-the-art and emerging innovative
mechanisms and processes to high priority regional sectors of its
responsibility,suchascompetitivenessofSMEs,healthandsafetyof
citizens, transition to the new digital economy, and support of the
traditionalproductionsector.
Partnership
UniversityofPatras
HellenicOpenUniversity
NationalDocumentationCentre
ChamberofAchaia
ChamberofIlia
ChamberofEtoloakarnania
BusinessInnovationCentreofWesternGreece
DevelopmentEnterpriseofAchaiaPrefecture
ElectronicTradeCentreofWesternGreece
KnowledgeS.A.
PE.SY.P.ofWesternGreece
SchoolofMedicine(Surgery/Orthopaedics)
AtmelS.A.
InstituteofBiomedicalTechnology
IndustrialSystemsInstitute
Interamerican(Health)S.A.
Group4SecuritasS.A.
NationalAgriculturalResearchFoundation
InstituteofChemicalEngineeringandHighTemperatureChemi-
calProcesses/FoundationforResearch&Technology
Bio-NetworkWestHellas
69
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
InnovativeActionsintheregionofWesternGreece
Region
DytikiEllada
Status
Objective1area
11.350
Population
707.687
RISI2
www.westerngreece.gr
Audits in SMEs
Promotionandimplementationofinnovationsforstrengthening
SMEscompetitivenessthroughrecenttechnologicaladvances.
www.innovationpde.gr
www.bicwgreece.gr/clusterobservatory/main.htm
Sub-theme: New business processes for SMEs through ICT: tele-working, innova-
tion, virtual firms, etc.
SMEssupportforeasytransitiontothenewdigitaleconomy.
www.ike.gr/dpSearch.do?context=905
www.ike.gr/catalogToSimpleSearchForm.do?context=401
www.be24.gr/ike/index.html
www.bicwgreece.gr/bicawards/main.htm
education
Use of innovative services in the health and safety sectors for
thecitizens.
www.ptapde.gr/projects/innact/ERGO_3.1.pdf
Sub-theme: Other Regional Identity & Sustainable Development projects
Supportoforganicfarmingbyadoptionofinnovativetechnolo-
gies.
www.ptapde.gr/projects/innact/ERGO_4.1.B.pdf
www.nagref.gr/PPIP/biodiktyo
www.bionetwesthellas.gr
Stefanos Michos
RegionalDevelopmentFund
+30-2610-432660
+30-2610-461126
smichos@ptapde.gr
Further information
@
0
RegionalInnovationinStereaEllada
Programme Acronym
RISE
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
29months
01/2002-05/2004
Funding
ERDF 1.533.322
Public 383.331
Private 52.825
Web-site
www.ipa.panteion.gr/rise
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
EnvironmentalManagement
SMEsandCompetitiveness
CulturalDevelopment
Heritage Management and Virtual Re-
ality
Managing Body
RegionalDevelopmentInstitute,
PanteionUniversityofAthens
Strategy
Theprogrammesactionsarefocusedonthefollowingstrategicdirec-
tions:
provision of new services and improvement of the competitive-
nessofSMEs,
RegionalDevelopmentandNewTechnologies,and
enhancementofRegionalidentity
The programmes actions formulate specific strategic options in ac-
cordancewiththeRegionsaimsandobjectives,aswellaswithother
regional or European policies.Their aim is to create an environment
thatencouragesinitiativesonthepartoflocalinstitutionsandenter-
prisesandtosetthefoundationforwiderpartnerships.
Withtherealizationoftheseactions:
neweconomicactivitiesandservicesareencouraged,
linksarecreatedbetweenresearchcentresandenterprisesinor-
dertohandleenvironmentalissues,
cultureandnewtechnologiesarelinked,and
culturaltourismisbeingdeveloped.
Partnership
StereaElladaRegion
RegionalDevelopmentInstitute
ChambersofCommerceandIndustryoftheRegion
PrefecturalGovernments
UnionsofLocalAuthoritiesoftheRegion
Municipalities(localauthorities)oftheRegion
TechnologicalEducationalInstitutesofLamia,Halkida
NationalAgriculturalResearchFoundation
CeramicsandRefractoriesTechnologicalDevelopmentCompany
(CERECOSA).
1
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
RegionalInnovationinStereaEllada
Region
StereaEllada
Status
Objective1area
15.549
Population
582.280
RIS(1998)
RIS+(2000-2002)
www.stereaellada.gr
Projects
Establishmentofanetworkofresearchcentersandenterprises
forthedevelopmentofenvironmentalmanagementsystems.
http://195.130.65.33:8080/rise_act1
Sub-theme: Services and applications for SMEs
InnovativeSupportPlanforthesupportoftheSMEfortheNew
EconomyandtheImprovementoftheCompetitiveness.
http://e-market.heletel.gr
http://e-partnership.heletel.gr
Sub-theme: Other Information Society projects
Establishment of Electronic Cultural Multi-use Grounds in re-
moteandisolatedareasinexistingculturalcentersandcultural
infrastructures.
http://62.103.215.197:8080/monuments/ITEMS_list.jsp
Sub-theme: Cultural heritage and tourism
Implementationofnewtechnologies(VirtualReality)incultural
and historic areas for the provision of new specialized services
in the field of cultural tourism and the increase of the flow of
tourismintheregion.
http://mimermak.static.otenet.gr/rise/html/drasis4.html
Prof. Nicholas Konsolas
RegionalDevelopmentInstitute
+30-210-9234448
+30-210-9232979
secretariat@ipa.panteion.gr
Further information
@
2
RegionalInnovationforPeloponnese
Programme Acronym
RIPE
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
27months
01/2002-03/2004
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 1.913.600
Public 478.400
Private 173.000
Web-site
www.ripenet.gr
www.rinonet.org
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Businessincubator
Promotionoftraditionalproducts
Telecottages
Ecotourism
InformationSocietyServices
Managing Body
ChamberofArcadia
Strategy
The programme is designed to prepare the ground and pave the
way for introducing the culture and practice of innovation as a core
element of the development strategy and action of the region.The
actions proposed include a RIS-type regional innovation strategy &
actionplantoguidetheregioninthisfieldoverthisdecadeandpi-
lots that strengthen entrepreneurship in priority areas of economic
developmentanduseinformationsocietytoenhancethesocio-eco-
nomic sustainability of the rural areas of the region and strengthen
the qualify to the regional development process through increased
transparency, accountability and participation.The programme pro-
duced a relevant, realistic and balanced plan of action for funding
innovation through the 3
rd
Community Support Framework for the
2004-2006period,andbuiltthenecessarypoliticalpartnership,tech-
nicalmechanismsandresourcesforitssuccessfulimplementation.
Partnership
The Regional Secretariat, which was the regional state authority
responsible for regional development policy and programmes
andforabroadrangeofstatefunctionsintheregion,alongwith
theRegionalFundOffice.
The five chambers of commerce and industry (Arcadia, Argolida,
Messinia, Lakonia, Korinthia), which represent the 40 000 enter-
prisesoftheregion.
The newly established University of Peloponnese, which repre-
sentedthemainevaluationunitfortechnicaldeliverablesofRIPE
relevanttoInformationSocietyinitiatives,duetotheoperationof
specialiseddepartmentsinITmatters.
LocalAuthoritiesmembersoftheregionaldevelopmentcompany
Peloponnese
3
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
RegionalInnovationforPeloponnese
Region
Peloponnisos
Status
Objective1area
15.409
Population
607.428
-
www.peloponnisos.gr
projects
Set-up of a regional innovation strategy and an action plan
to promote innovation, building partnership and consensus
through research & analysis, and the identification of sectoral
priorities&prospectiveinnovativeactionprojects.
www.infopeloponnisos.gr
projects
RegionalEcotourismSupportCentre:Developingtheregionas
anecotourismdestination.
Marketingstrategyandactionplanforecotourism.
www.ecotourism.gr
www.ecotravel.gr
ogy based firms
Establishment of a Virtual Business Incubator Facility offering
businessadviceserviceson-siteanddevelopingbusinesstools.
www.agapinor.gr
Theme: Technological: Innovation
ogy based firms
Establishmentofacentreforbusinesscooperationintraditional
products(food&craftsectors),includingsupportanddevelop-
mentofnewproductsandmarkets.
EstablishmentoftwoTelecottagesforprovidingICTservicesto
RuralAreas(self-training,e-games,e-auctions).
www.telecottage.gr-www.telecottages.gr
A Regional Development Information System based upon 4
axes:
MARKETS-PRODUCTS:Monitoringofmarkets,technologiesand
newproductsinthethreemostimportantsectorsoftheregion,
drinks-food,equipment,tourism.
NEW INVESTMENTS: Investment opportunities guide for new
investmentsintheregion.
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE: Comparative evaluation-measure-
mentofthePeloponnesianBusinessesBenchmarking)
REGIONAL PERFORMANCE: Comparative evaluation of the re-
gionintermsofinnovationandentrepreneurship.
Anna Andricopoulou
ProjectManager
+30-210-6423563
+30-210-6453979
aadricop@ath.forthnet.gr
Further information
@
4
InformationSocietyfortheQualityofLife
intheRegionofAttica
Programme Acronym
ARI-ACT
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
30months
05/2003-10/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 1.938.000
Public 484.500
Private 287.500
Web-site
www.ariact.gr
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Environment
Health
Transport
Governance
Wastemanagement
Managing Body
BusinessInnovationCentre(BIC)ofAttica
Strategy
The objective of the proposed programme is to introduce in a robust
waytheelementofinnovationintotheregionaldevelopmentprocess
oftheregionofAtticainthefieldofthequalityoflife.Thisisafieldof
particular importance for the region, especially for the population of
the urban conurbation of Athens.The approach adopted by the pro-
grammetopursuethisobjectiveistoselectfourcoreareasofquality
of life in an urban context: urban transport, health care, environment
protectionandcommunityempowermentandinvestigatethepoten-
tial of Information Society for tackling key problems in each of these
fourareasthroughpilotactions.Eachpilotactionisexpectedtoleadto
aconcreteapplicationinitsrespectiveareaandatthesametimepave
the way for an overall regional innovation strategy and action plan in
that area.The programme partnership includes a wide range of part-
ners.The majority come from the public sector and the RTD commu-
nity.Thisistobeexpectedgiventheroleofpublicservicesinthearea
of the quality of life and maximises the prospects for mainstreaming
andtheutilisationoftheprogrammesoutcomesbytheregionspolicy
makers and institutions. At the same time, there is significant private
sectorparticipationinthepilotactions,whilsttheregionalinnovation
strategyandactionplanisexpectedtoleadtoentrepreneurialspin-offs
inthenewtechnologysector
Partnership
LeadingPartner:RegionofAttiki
BIC(BusinessandInnovationCentre)ofAttica.
[PUBLICBODIES]TheRegionofAttica,theAthensUrbanTransport
Authority(OASA),ODDYS.A-ManagementOrganisationofPublic
Material,theARegionalHealthAuthorityofAthensandtheSisma-
noglionGeneralHospital.
[LOCALAUTHORITIES]ThemunicipalitiesofChaidari,AgiaVarvara,
Argyroupoli, Byronas, Pallini and Maroussi, as well as the Associa-
tionofCommunitiesandMunicipalitiesinAtticaRegionandtheLo-
calUnionofMunicipalitiesofAttica.
[UNIVERSITIES] National Technical University of Athens - Depart-
ment of Transportation Planning and Engineering and the Labo-
ratory of Mining and Environmental Technology, and Metallurgy,
UniversityofAthens-FacultyofNursing,CentreofHealthServices
Management and Evaluation, Panteion University - Institute of Ur-
banEnvironmentandHumanResources.
[PRIVATEBODIES]PRISMA-CentreforDevelopmentStudies,POLY-
ECO S.A., PROTON LABS Ltd., PAPAPOSTOLOU S.A., Cardiological
CenterofAthensSA.
5
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
InformationSocietyfortheQualityofLifeintheRegionofAttica
Region
Attiki
Status
Objective1area
3.808
Population
3.523.407
RITTS
RegionsofKnowledge
www.pepatt.gr
www.athens-attica.com
Sub-theme: New business processes for SMEs through ICT : tele-working, inno-
vation, virtual firms, etc
ARegionalInnovationStrategywillbeelaboratedcoveringthe
four areas of the programme, namely urban transport, health-
care, environment protection and community empowerment,
aswellasfouradditionaleconomicfieldsthatareofhighimpor-
tancetotheregionaleconomy,namelyfoodindustrychemical
industry,tourismandcultureandfinallyenergy.
education
Developmentofanintermodaltrafficinformationserviceinthe
Athensgreaterarea.
www.transport.ntua.gr/map/el/index.php
Development of an integrated management system of waste
electronicequipment(e-waste)anditspilotimplementationin
theRegionofAttica.
education
DevelopmentandtestinrealconditionsofaneasytouseHome
telecaresystem(e-homehealthcare).
www.e-localdemocracy.gr
education
Public information service for community empowerment (e-
democracy) which provides information on public and private
developmentsintheurbanarea5municipalitiesoftheRegion.
Panagiotis Markantonatos
Projectmanager
+30-210-3314230
+30-210-3314232
markantonatos@bicofattika.gr
Further information
@
6
NorthAegeanInnovativeActions&Support
Programme Acronym
NAIAS
Themes
InformationSociety

opment
Duration
30months
01/2002-06/2004
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.004.373
Public 501.093
Private 621.810
Web-site
www.naias.gr
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Business
Entrepneneuship
Environment
Managing Body
Chamber of Lesvos on behalf of all three
chambersofNorthAegean(Lesvos/Chios
/Samos)
Strategy
The proposed project aims at contributing to the transformation of
thisinsular,boarder,andpoorregiontoadynamic,innovativeregion
in the new knowledge based economy. The pilot actions proposed
address the needs for innovative culture, competitiveness, e-busi-
ness, green products, new, traditional products, and better environ-
ment.Theseare:
theuseofinnovationmanagementtechnique(IMT)
theuseofmodernservicesonbusinessplanning,andinternation-
alization
theuseofportale-commercesystem
the provision of local eco-label, using integrated product
schemes
theproductionofnewproducts,fromtraditionalresources
theuseofaninnovativeoliveoilwastewatertreatmentsystem.
These actions are part of the innovation action plan, already devel-
oped through the RITTS program. The adaptation of these actions
into the mainstream ERDF programmes, requires prior pilot, small
scaletestinginordertoaccesstheeffectiveness,theaddedvalue,and
thebestmethodforimplementation.
Partnership
SecretariatGeneraloftheRegion
UniversityofAegean
ChamberofLesvos
ChamberofSamos
ChamberofChios
CooperativeBankofLesvos
SynthesisLtd.
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
Region
VoreioAigaio
Status
Objective1area
3.840
Population
199.231
RITTS(1999-2000)
www.northaegean.gr
NorthAegeanInnovativeActions&Support
Theme: Regional Identity - Sustainable Development
Innovationmanagementauditsinselectedmicrocompanies.
Internationalizationandbusinessplanningsupport;provisionof
specializedservicesonissuesofbusinessplanningandinterna-
tionalization.
www.epikentro-lesvos.net
www.samoscci.gr
www.echios.com
Introductionofe-commerceintobusinessactivity;development
ofane-commerceportalfacility(C2B,B2B).
www.e-lesvos.net
Introductionofaresponsibilitylabelforlocalcompanies.
www.responsibility.gr
Developmentandpromotionoflocaleco-labelforselectedtra-
ditionalproducts.
Developmentof innovative products using same raw materials
andresourcesusedfortheproductionofcurrentgoods.
www.aegean.gr/environment/eda/naias

Marianna Mitsou
AssistantProjectManager
+30-2251-046056
+30-2251-046056
management@naias.gr
Further information
@
8
InnovationforSustainableTourismandServices
intheSouthAegean
Programme Acronym
ISTOS
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
24months
01/2004-12/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.985.000
Public 790.000
Private 900.000
Web-site
www.istosweb.org
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Tourism
Environment
ICT
Entrepreneurship
Sustainabledevelopment
Managing Body
ChamberofDodecanese
Strategy
ThestrategicobjectiveoftheISTOSprogrammeistobuildtheneces-
sary working environment, involving all regional stakeholders both
publicandprivate,forthepromotionofsustainabledevelopmentin
theSouthAegeanRegion,throughtheintroductionofinnovation.
Thisobjectivewillbefulfilledwithactioninthreestrategiclayers:In-
novation,Sustainability,Information&communicationtechnologies
TheISTOSprogrammespecificobjectivesare:
To promote the regions competitiveness and its ability to adopt
regionaldevelopmentstrategiestomeettheneedsofthesocial,
environmentalandbusinessstakeholders.
Topushaninnovativeandsustainableapproachintotheregional
developmentstrategiesofthelocalauthoritiesandSMEspartici-
patingintheprogramme.
To make the best use of all available, regional, national and Eu-
ropean resources in the region in platforms for development of
innovativeandsustainablestructuresbothintheprivateandthe
publicsector.
To develop public-private- partnerships in order to facilitate in-
novativeprojectsintheserviceandtourismsector.
Toblenddigitalservicesintotraditionalservicesprovidinginfor-
mationandcontextforthecreationofinnovativeactions,deriving
mechanismsthatwillproducetheincorporationoftechnological
innovation and thus promoting the information capacity of the
region.
Partnership
SouthAegeanRegion
ChamberofDodecanese
ChamberofCyclades
DevelopmentCompanyofCyclades
AssociationofDevelopmentandProgressofDodecanese
AristotleUniversity(URENIOResearchUnit)
UniversityofAegean
MunicipalityofParos
BusinessArchitectsConsultancyS.A.
9
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
Region
NotioAigaio
Status
Objective1area
5.286
Population
257.481
www.notioaigaio.gr/perifereia.asp
Sub-theme: Drawers of innovation
Provisionofsupportto30tourismenterprises(or3-7clustersof
enterprises) for the implementation of projects based on inno-
vationintheproduction,organization,operationandmarketing
functions.
www.ebed.gr/istos.htm
Sub-theme: Digital Aegean Island (DI.AG.I)- Digital Region
Creationofadigitalplatform,containingtourisminformationthat
willfacilitatethedigitaltouringandguidanceofthetraveller.
Sub-theme: Digital Aegean Island (DI.AG.I) - e-Destination Management & De-
cision Support System
Creationofabusinessportalfortheprovisionofdigitalcommer-
cialservices,concerninglocalproductsandtourism.
Sub-theme: Digital Aegean Island (DI.AG.I) - e-Business Services
Developmentandpromotionofeffectivebusinesstools.
Sub-theme: Wireless Island Area Network.
Establishment and operation of a wireless local network in
Paros.
Theme: Regional Identity & Sustainable Development
Sub-theme: Innovation, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21 - Sustainable De-
velopment, material flow and ecological footprint
Constructionofapracticalguideformaintainingandimproving
economic,socialandenvironmentalsustainabilityatlocallevel.
Sub-theme: Innovation, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21 - Innovative gov-
ernance and Local Agenda 21
ElaborationofaPolicyGuideforInnovativeGovernanceandLocal
Agenda21andpresentationtoPublicPolicyexecutivesinorder
toensureitssuccessfulimplementationataregionallevel.
Sub-theme: Innovation, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21 - Monitoring the
sustainability process in the regional level
Creationofasetofindexesfortheestimationoftheperformance
oftheSouthAegeanislandstowardssustainabledevelopment.
Sub-theme: Innovation, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21 Local Agenda
PilotapplicationofLocalAgenda21intwoislandsoftheregion.
Sub-theme: Regional framework for sustainable tourism - Standards for sus-
tainable tourism
Creation of a regional standard for sustainable tourism regard-
ingtheorganizationandoperationoftourismenterprises.
Sub-theme: Regional framework for sustainable tourism Regional enterprise
benchmarking in the tourism sector
Promotionofon-linetoolsforenterprisebenchmarkinginview
ofsupportingsustainabletourismdevelopment.
Sub-theme: Regional framework for sustainable tourism Support for the pro-
motion and management of sustainable tourism and services
Organizationofaregionalcenterforthesupportofinnovation
andsustainabletourisminitiatives.
Dimitra Tsarouchi
ProjectManager
+30-2310-222268
+30-2310-222165
dt@baconsult.gr
Further information
InnovationforSustainableTourismandServicesintheSouthAegean
@
80
CReteINNOvativeRegion
Programme Acronym
CRINNO
Themes
InformationSociety
opment
Duration
36months
01/2003-12/2005
Funding (estimated)
ERDF 2.999.750
Public 1.615.250
Private 453.000
Web-site
www.innocrete.gr/
Thematic Networks
ERIK
IANIS
Sectors
Tourism
Handicrafts
Businessservices
Managing Body
RegionalAuthorityofCrete
Strategy
TheprimeobjectiveoftheCRINNOprogrammeistoachieveasignifi-
cantculturalchangetowardsinnovationandsustainabilitythrough-
out the region and progressively develop an interactive regional in-
novation system capable to support the competitiveness of Cretan
economy.Crucially,andtoensurethattheregionalinnovativeactions
are much more than a research or academic exercise, the CRINNO
programmewillgivemuchemphasistostrengthenthepartnerships
whichconsolidatethesocialconsensusandsustainability.TheCRIN-
NOprogrammewillalsoseektomainstreamtheresultsandgeneral
approach of the programme to structural funds and other strategic
programmes in Crete, identifying the means for transferring and
sustaining the innovative approaches and knowledge generated to
allrelevantsectors.Finally,inordertoensurethatthelearningproc-
ess is not insular, the CRINNO programme will network with other
regionsinEurope,toensurethatcurrentbestpracticeisadoptedby
thepilotactionsandthatfurtherbestpractice,developedbyCRINNO
programmeismorewidelydisseminatedthroughouttheregionand
tootherEUareas.
Partnership
TheRegionalAuthority
ThePrefectures
TheLocalAuthorities
TheHigherEducationalInstitutesofCrete(TechnicalUniversityof
Crete,UniversityofCrete,TechnologicalEducationFoundationof
Crete)
TheResearchCentersofCrete(FoundationforResearchandTech-
nology Hellas-FORTH, Institute of Marine Biology-IMBC, the Sci-
ence&TechnologyPark(STEP-C)andthreeAgriculturalResearch
Institutes)
TheEntrepreneursAssociations(ChampersofCommerce,Export-
ersAssociation,FederationofIndustries,HoteliersAssociation)
81
+32-2-2994454
+32-2-2962473
EU Contact person
@
CReteINNOvativeRegion
Region
Kriti
Status
Objective1area
8.336
Population
540.054
RITTS
www.crete-region.gr
projects
Observatory of innovation and entrepreneurship (OBINNE), to provide
informationandadvicetotheRegionalauthority.
www.innocrete.gr/
Regional network of technology supply (RENTS) to improve exploita-
tionofresearchresults.Creationofaplatformanddatabaseoninternet,
meetingsandawarenessraisingonIPRs.
www.innocrete.gr:5500
ogy based firms
CreationofanInnovativeentrepreneurshipregionalcentre(SPINCRETE)
inHeraklionasaone-stop-shopinnovationservicecenterforfirmsand
supporttocreationofnewfirms.
www.ebeh.gr/gr/index.asp?p=10-6
ogy based firms
StimulationofUniversityStudentsEntrepreneurshipthroughtrainingof
80students,nurseryofideasandnetworkofmentors.(UNISTEP)
www.liaison.tuc.gr/News/unistep/unistep.html
Innovative production methods applied in traditional handicraft SMEs
(HEI-net),throughtrainingandsupporttoSMEsandpilotexperimenta-
tionofproductiontechniques.
http://xkl.epimlas.gr
Audits in SMEs
Informationofpeoplelocatedinruralareas.
www.ypaithros.gr
Bestwateruseinnovativepracticestowardsasustainablewaterresourc-
esmanagement(BEWARE)
http://zeus.telecom.tuc.gr/beware/index.html
Innovativemethodologiesforasustainablemanagementofmarinebio-
logicalresources(INNOMAR)
www.hcmr.gr
Expert systems for managing and assessing high risks in natural land-
scape,environmentalandhistoricalheritageresourcesinCrete(EMERIC
I&II)
www.ims.forth.gr/joint_projects/emeric/emeric-gr.html
ConservingCretanDiet(CONCRED)
www.concred.gr
RescueCretanmusictraditionsfornextgenerations(MUSICI&II)
www.ims.forth.gr/ims/ethnomusicology/Rethymno_lyra-gr.html
Kostas Strataridakis
Projectmanager
+30-2810-278111
+30-2810-278150
kstr@crete-region.gr
Further information
@
82
NotaBene
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83
Epilogue
I
n the 2000-2006 financial perspectives programming period, the regional
programmesofinnovativeactionshavebeenintroducedasaregionalpolicy
experimentwithasimplifiedmanagementandno-zoningapproachforallEU-
15MemberStatesinordertobuildandimprovetheircompetitivenessandin-
novationcapacity.Theprogrammesaddedanewbottom-upregionaldimen-
siontothetraditionaltop-downcentralgovernmentpolicyformulation.
The publication Regional Innovation Excellence in Greece, takes a closer look
atthefirstgenerationoftheGreekregionalprogrammesofinnovativeactions.
Builtonthepreliminaryexperiencesofthe13programmes,itdescribesbriefly
andstatisticallyanalysestheGreekvis--vistheotherEU-15programmes.Fur-
thermore,thebookhighlightsthehistoricalstepsinregionalinnovationstrate-
giesmaking.
Thisbookshowstheregionalpolicyshiftfromone-offsingle-actorprojectsto
strategicclusterprogrammes.Dependingonitsuniquephysicalandintangible
assets,eachregionneedstobrandherglocal(globalandlocal)image.Ihope
that this book will help policy makers and other regional innovation policy
practitionerstomakechoicesinamoreinformedwayinordertobecomemore
competitive.
VasileiosKotoulas
Directorofthe3rdR.O.P.ManagementAuthority
intheRegionofWestMacedonia
84
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|Sb| 960891030
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|c. .JJ|t|cr.| ccp|os ccrt.ct
Mr.YannisFallas
||Jsto.s |.c|oct V.r.go.
GSM:+30-6946-465947
+30-2310-446560,24610-49948
+30-2310-446560,24610-49948
thessis@otenet.gr
||S|C|. +|OC|/||+ ||/||/|O| SPINNERLtd.
3. |.rcJ scrt.. St.. C| 501 00. |c..r| o| |30 2461 024994
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ISBN960-89103-0-7

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I

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