Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation

findings among regions. The European Cluster Observatory 39 can be instrumental for
identifying regional competences and providing benchmarking possibilities across the EU. It
should be stressed that statistical data at the same level of granularity are not always available
across the EU and therefore additional efforts should be made by some regions to complement
existing data sets by more detailed quantitative but also qualitative information.
Furthermore, smart specialisation strategies should look at the optimal cluster-specific
framework conditions such as access to research and testing facilities, educational and skills
development issues, cooperation with local incubators and efficient cluster management,
which, all together, will allow clusters fully exploiting their potential in the context of smart
specialisation.
How to act?
The following list of actions describes a 3x3 approach on how to use clusters for designing
and implementing smart specialisation strategies. Although not exhaustive, it represents a
starting point and can be completed and customised according to the specificities, experience,
and priorities of each region.
Using cluster mapping to identify regional competences and assets:
• Identify specialisation patterns in the region through cluster mapping analysis, in
particular, by using the European Cluster Observatory tool 40 ;
• Perform benchmarking activities to better understand the positioning of the region in a
particular sector in comparison to other EU regions. The European Cluster Observatory
tool offers such benchmarking opportunities;
• Collect if necessary more detailed statistical data and perform qualitative-based surveys
to better understand the dynamics of regional clusters to be used for implementing smart
specialisation strategies.
Support clusters to meet the objectives of smart specialisation:
• Launch, if necessary, new cluster initiatives or strengthen existing ones, and ensure
appropriate budgetary provisions by streamlining regional, national and EU funding
support including the European Regional Development Fund, Research and Innovation
funds (FP7, and the future Horizon 2020), the Rural Development fund (EAFRD) and
funding possibilities provided under the Knowledge Innovation Communities of the
European Institute of Innovation and Technology;
• Support existing clusters to work more closely with research infrastructures,
incubators 41 and science parks and other knowledge institutions as well as integrate
large scale demonstrators for promoting key enabling technologies and better involving
user communities;
39 www.clusterobservatory.eu
40 The European Cluster Observatory provides a unique cluster mapping and benchmarking methodology that is
currently applied to more than 35 manufacturing and service sectors in 32 EU and EU-associated countries:
41 The Smart Guide to Innovation-Based Incubators, publishes in 2010, provides guidance on this issue and is
available at the website of the Platform
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