Invitatie pentru toti cei implicati in activitati care promoveaza Politica Regionala de Inovare - autoritati locale, companii, consultanti, camere de comert, ONG-uri... sa se alature Comunitatii specialistilor din Europa
--------Revised announcement ------
To all regional Innovation Practitioners,
Maastricht/Brussels, July 9
Subject:
Invitation to join a new Community for Practitioners in Europe who deal with Regional Innovation policy.
Who can join: representatives of for instance: (regional) governments, Companies, Consultants,
Ngo’s, RDA’s, Chambers of Commerce.
Costs: Euro 150/year
Goal: Cooperate, learn, join, influence, create business opportunities, do things differently and have fun!
Why: match the experiences and know how of the Innovating Regions in Europe Network (IRE) gathered during the past years with new innovation challenges using the input of practitioners.
A strategic alliance with Eurada, representing 140 Regional Development Agencies in Europe is secured already.
Dear Innovation Practitioner;
About 15 years ago, the European Commission started an initiative to improve the innovation-policy within European regions by helping them to create commitment among stakeholders in this respect. Besides, the Commission started to stimulate the cooperation between regions and their stakeholders in Europe.
The mechanism through which this was organized was the Innovating Regions in Europe Network (IRE).
The activities of the Network were supported by a so called Network Secretariat as from the very start. This secretariat implemented a huge number of concrete activities and supported the regions with regard to their innovation related actions and programs. (RTP, RIS, RITTS, Innovative Actions etc.).
The network secretariat was assisted by a group of around 15 European regions (IRE Steering Group) representing the interests of the larger IRE network of almost 140 European Regions at this moment.
Recently the Commission evaluated the IRE activities and concluded that the network deserves support because it is useful and the innovation topic is more relevant than ever but this does not automatically mean support in financial terms. The assumption is that the network should have reached a kind of maturity and should “stand on is own feet”. Therefore the Commission will not finance the secretariat anymore.
The IRE Steering Group has developed a proposal to continue the discussion between European regions and their stakeholders. This proposal was discussed with 75 representatives of European Regions in Brussels on May 13. Based on this discussion the following was concluded.
- There is a need for an “IRE Community of Practice” of stakeholders regarding Regional Innovation Policy in Europe
- This Community should be open to practitioners who deal with this topic like representatives of (regional) Governments, Universities, Companies, Consultants, Ngo’s, RDA’s, Chambers of Commerce and others. Important is the contribution to the discussion, not the organization that is represented.
- There should be synergy with existing Networks in Europe
- Focus is the innovation content, communication and “helping each other” through open discussions and mutual assistance regarding problems, opportunities and challenges.
- “Members” should preferably be (pro) active committed persons that understand that the more they contribute themselves, the more success there is for the “IRE Community of Practice” as a whole.
- If possible, avoid discussions as well as difficult decision making processes on financial contributions. Therefore, the original plan to build a small implementation unit financed by members is skipped. The proposal now is a limited yearly contribution of Euro 150 per person or organization. For the rest, people pay for their own travel and accommodation costs + additional costs (eventually) for events.
- Activities are coordinated by EURADA but the Community has its own identity
- All activities will be organized in an effective and efficient way, were the added value for the participants is the most important.
- If possible joint meetings are organized with existing events organized by others ( for instance Community members who organize events in their own region anyway)
- Practical experiences of practitioners in policy making and implementation have much value. Let us upgrade this value and make our own value chain.
- We have to enter into a new into a new innovation stage, a new RIS, RITTS, success levels were new discussions and concepts demand new answers like cross border functional regions, metropolitan area’s, new impact measuring challenges, new roles division between stakeholders, internationalization dimensions etc. etc.
- The EC welcomes the new IRE Community of Practice (DG Regio, Research, Enterprise and Industry)
- At this moment, the first 20 organizations have registered as members of the IRE Community of Practice
- The Community will be presented during the Open Days in Brussels on October 7, the first Community meeting is scheduled on October 27 in Brussels
- Further details have to be discussed in close cooperation with the Community Members this year
Why should you join the Community?
- Meet enthusiastic colleagues from different regions in Europe and from different organizations and interest directions
- To link yourself to the 140 EURADA Development Agencies in Europe, Different DG’s of the EC and other organizations and networks like OECD
- To find people with whom you can discuss common problems and challenges
- To find partners for doing business and make projects and proposals
- To join forces in the direction of others for instance policy advice to regional, national and European Government, University boards and Employers organizations
- To find participants for the events you organize anyway in your region
- To find soul mates/peers and to discuss issues in another way than only through traditional forms like conferences. Innovation is finding new combinations, let us try some!
You are most welcome to join the “IRE Community of Practice”
Perhaps we have to change the name because also other members from outside Europe are invited to join the Community. (Some already did by the way)
If you are interested, please fill in the registration form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Of course it is possible also to send this mail to other people that might be interested.
Kind regards,
Christian Saublens Jean Severijns
Executive manager Eurada Chairman IRE Steering Group
Avenue des Arts 12 Bte 7 Province of Limburg (NL)
1210 BRUSSELS PO Box 5700
BELGIUM 6202 MA Maastricht
Gasiti AICI formularul de inregistrare.