Stimulating smart specialization ecosystem through engaging SMEs in open innovation processes

BSR Stars S3

PROGRAMME 2014-2020

priority

1 Innovation

objective

1.2 Smart specialisation

BSR Stars S3

Through the project BSR Stars S3, business support organisations, public authorities and policy makers in several regions around the Baltic Sea know more about how to turn their smart specialisation strategies for advancing bio and circular economies into action.

The opportunity

Smart specialisation (S3) is a systematic process to make European regions globally more competitive through innovation. This approach was introduced to policy makers as well as other stakeholders from business level, academia and other innovation actors in 2014. Since then, around 180 strategies were established. Even though many regions wanted to leverage their own strengths by connecting with regions in other countries, the existing structures, operational mechanisms and financing frames were not suited to these transnational ambitions.

Building on existing activities and policy governance structures, the project aimed to develop more integrated innovation support infrastructures, such as test and demonstration facilities and new innovation management tools to leverage complementary competences across borders in the Baltic Sea region. The project aimed to improve competences and capabilities of innovation actors to apply a transnational approach when they implement their regional and national smart specialisation strategies. The project focused on bio- and circular economy as a cross-sectoral priority field of smart specialisation in the Baltic Sea region with a focus on the Nordic states and Lithuania.

Budgets

BSR Stars S3
in numbers

2.90

Million

Total
2.11

Million

Erdf
0.00

Million

Eni + Russia
0.07

Million

Norway

Achievements

Administrative actors like regional and national public authorities from and beyond the partnership learned about economic opportunities in the bio- and circular economy and transnational cooperation. Regional authorities gained understanding on new digital potentials for innovation ecosystem management in their regions, e.g. by contributing and testing an online tool to visualise innovation ecosystems. Regional authorities also learned how to better organise workshops in cross-sectoral teams to find the best solutions to regional challenges by setting up so-called S3 accelerator camps. Beyond study visits, both regional authorities and business development organisations learned and tested ways to involve business sector and research organisations in smart specialisation, e.g. by organising matchmaking events and a so-called transnational innovation coaching.

Networking opportunities for bio- and circular economy stakeholders were organised in Karlstad, Tampere and Vilnius. The events have had altogether approximately 800 participants representing research (about 400 representatives), business (over 300 representatives), and the public sector (about 100 representatives). Another means of building further knowledge were so-called policy briefs on different topics. In policy briefs, the regions and research institutes summarised their learning about selected aspects of smart specialisation.

Outputs

Policy Brief: Innovation Ecosystems in the Circular Economy

This policy brief “Developing and Managing Innovation Ecosystems in the Circular Economy” outlines the main aims and features of a digital monitoring tool and makes recommendations for how to support the development and management of effective innovation ecosystems. For example, it highlights the importance of fostering a culture of open data sharing amongst key regional innovation actors.

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Visualisation tool for circular economy innovation ecosystem

The “Visualisation tool for a circular economy innovation ecosystem” is an online software that compiles data about a circular economy ecosystem. It converts the data into a user-friendly form which shows key actors within the ecosystem and how they interlink. The software uses open data but can also process data from other information sources and is constantly updated with real-time data. The prototype visualizes the circular economy innovation ecosystem of Tampere Region in Finland. The tool is currently password protected and people interested can obtain access upon request. The tool creates the basic information needed to build up an overview of the local circular economy. For instance, it will be possible to monitor different circular economy sub-ecosystems, such as those that focus on e.g. textile circulation or fertilizers.

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Policy Brief: Inclusive Digitalization

This policy brief “Inclusive Digitalization in the Baltic Sea Region” examines whether inclusive digitalization is an important instrument for promoting regional growth and development in struggling rural areas in the Baltic Sea region. The brief highlights the potential benefits that digitalization can bring and the challenges faced in implementing an effective digital agenda in rural areas. The brief also provides key recommendations identifying possible initiatives and policies that may help local businesses achieve successful digital transformation. These recommendations are based on learnings and best practices from digitalization initiatives conducted in rural areas around the Baltic Sea region.

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Policy Brief: Industrial Symbiosis

The policy brief “Industrial Symbiosis in the Baltic Sea Region” describes current practices and guidelines for new initiatives of industrial symbiosis. Industrial symbiosis is the process by which wastes or by‐products of an industry or industrial process become the raw materials for another. Industrial symbiosis is promoted as vitally important moving towards a circular economy by helping industries and businesses cooperate.

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Project Stories

27.09.2021

Bio- and circular economy initiatives funded by the Baltic Sea Region Programme inspire

Transnational projects on bio- and circular economy funded by the current and earlier Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programmes are highlighted in the recent article published by the Baltic institute of Finland. They are taken as inspiring examples and good practices in the framework of the Smart Specialisation approaches.
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20.12.2016

How to stimulate BIO- & circular economy in the Baltic Sea Region

Innovations are always driven by demand. However, achieving an effective management and implementation of innovative solutions as part of regions’ smart specialisation strategies are not as simple as that. They require support from the public sector, strong backup in research and enterprises ready to take on the initiative.
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