Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation

Figure 4 - The Connected Region
While the RIS3 conditionality in the Structural Funds regulations for 2014-2020 applies to the
ERDF for the thematic priorities 1 and 2, RIS3 is a strategic process that should be set before the
actual analysis of which funds to use for implementing the strategy. From its inherent logic and
the fact that one of its key tenants is to increase synergies between different funding streams and
policies, it is clear that RIS3 is to be oriented towards a multi-level/multi-fund approach as
regards the delivery of its delivery instruments and projects.
Furthermore, regional research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation will have to be
aligned with national strategies for innovation and research, where these exist. In a few Member
States this process is already advanced and the approach taken in this guide follows those good
examples. But in most Member States, research and education policies are in the exclusive
competence of the nation state. And that is the case even for those countries that have a devolved
administrative and political set-up. For the latter this alignment is needed.
These strategies are therefore to be the backbone of operational programmes of cohesion policy,
i.e; the managing authorities will select from the range of delivery instruments and projects
identified to implement the strategy those which will be included in the operational programmes.
The structure and dimension of the latter depends on the Member State. In most Member States
Regional Programmes exist alongside Sectoral ones. The smaller Regional Programmes (in terms
of budget) cover a mixture of territorial priorities, while the larger can have separate parts for
innovation and research. In the majority of Member States both cases exist, with small regional
programmes covering all types of thematic issues including research and innovation (support to
business and SMEs) and national programmes divided into large themes such as
competitiveness, environment, transports, etc.
When developing RIS3 strategies, Member States and regions need to take into account/be
involved in the discussions on which types of operational programmes will be presented in the
partnership contract.
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