Universities improving their strategic interactions with regional stakeholders - Brussels, 1 December 2011

EU-DRIVERS Conference. Regional Strategic Positioning. The EU Smart specialization strategies initiative (S3). Universities improving their strategic interactions with regional stakeholders. Brussels, 1 December 2011.
* Join the debate on EU policies for regional innovation
* Learn about good practices of successful regional interaction
* Find out about funding opportunities under the new EU Programmes in 2014 (dowlnoad preliminary programme)
Europe will not remain competitive if it does not transform into a powerful knowledge economy in which all stakeholders join forces to sustain economic growth and address the societal problems of our times. Europe faces serious challenges at a time of constant changes and new needs, with major social dilemmas such as growing unemployment, an ageing society and major challenges linked to increasing immigration.
How can European regions address these problems by increasing their regional performance and regional competitiveness?  What are the current obstacles, opportunities and mechanisms for the effective leadership of regional interactions and how can these be addressed in order to define a strong vision and strategy supported by the adequate means to “make it happen”.   Lessons can be learnt and good practices implemented through mutual learning between European regions.
This is one of the objectives of the new Smart specialization initiative of DG Regio of the European Commission to support regions in focusing their innovation on a clear “niche” and sector where they can be most successful in developing sustainable growth and stability in society, building on their regional assets, human capital and infrastructure. 
“Regions have a central role as they are the primary institutional partners for universities, other research and education institutes and SMEs, which are key to the process of innovation, making them an indispensable part of the Europe 2020 strategy” (COM(2010) 553 final). The Flagship initiative “Innovation Union” also stresses the need for an integrated approach between EU, national and regional policies for strategic and focused innovation.
This one-day EU-Drivers conference will review the policy context. It will debate how European regions can be most effective in leading the necessary changes, building on universities as the driving force in their process to collaborate closely with the private sector and regional government. It will also raise provide information on funding opportunities available under the new EU programming from 2013.
The conference is by invitation only for senior university leaders and CEOs of large companies, SMEs and representatives of regional authorities to engage a high level dialogue on new directions for regional innovation, with senior representatives from the European Commission.  If you would like to receive an invitation please contact the EU-DRIVERS Secretariat (Inês Proença, projects@esmu.be).

EU-DRIVERS - European Drivers for a Regional Innovation Platform
Project Website: www.eu-drivers.eu.
This project, funded by the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme, is designed to improve regional cooperation between universities, private sector companies and local governments in order to enhance the innovation capacities of European universities, working at the level of deans of faculties.
Aims
* To create a regional innovation virtual community for exchanging good practices among all stakeholders,
* Find solutions for improved regional cooperation between universities, private-sector companies and regional governments,
* Enable the communication and dissemination of reports and recommendations through conferences and establishing a dialogue with EU authorities.
Outcomes
* A  web-based European virtual community with relevant literature and examples of good practices.
* Pilot regional innovation partnership projects with selected groups of three decision-makers (one dean, one private company and one local government representative) contributing to the development of a sustainable leadership development programme for all relevant stakeholders especially at the regional level.
* Annual reports on regional innovation issues with case studies and concrete examples of implementation of the knowledge triangle at the discipline level.
* Communication and dissemination activities with annual conferences.