BSR S3 Ecosystem

Synthesising knowledge on smart specialisation strategies

The BSR S3 Ecosystem project platform synthesised the knowledge from ten Interreg Baltic Sea Region and Interreg Europe projects that helped implement smart specialisation strategies (S3). The partners brought together different approaches to S3 implementation, and shared what benefits and challenges they had. Over 200 S3 stakeholders from regional ministries and development agencies from ten Baltic Sea region countries learned how to strengthen innovation ecosystems for successful implementation of S3 on the regional and inter-regional levels. They discussed how to promote stronger diversity and inclusion in S3, connect different actors to increase the collaborative dynamic, develop green transition pathways for different sectors across the BSR, with circular economy at the core. In addition, they learned about the political leadership as a key enabler of change. Political motivation and commitment are the first steps to boost efforts towards interregional innovation investments.

More cooperation on smart specialisation across regions

The platform also supported regions in developing thematic value chains linked to smart specialisation priorities. The partners developed a methodology for the analysis of value chains and piloted it in the area of the circular bioeconomy. They selected this area as it was highly relevant for S3. All in all, 16 regions from seven countries shared their insights on strategic priorities, key players and regional expertise, know-how in key technologies and potential areas of synergies in the circular bioeconomy. The partners concluded that there was good potential for exploring opportunities for innovative data linking and new approaches in data mining through this methodology.

The BSR S3 Directors' Network, composed of senior regional directors responsible for S3, highly appreciated the platform results, and the value chain approach to inter-regional S3 collaboration across the region. The ambition of the platform to create a new value by deepening innovation collaboration, through the BSR S3 ecosystem in fact reflected the vision of the BSR S3 Directors’ Network. For the Baltic Sea region, where a very strong legacy of cooperation already existed, there was very strong potential to build on this methodology to generate long-term value for the innovation performance of the macro-region.

Contributions to the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

The coordinator of the EUSBSR policy area Innovation actively participated in the platform and supported sharing the gathered results. The new PA Innovation action plan underlined a challenge-driven approach to innovation and further development of interregional value chains in key BSR S3 fields. Together with BSR S3 Directors’ Network, the coordinator of PA Innovation planned to advance the S3 advisory hub in the Baltic Sea region, which was developed by the platform partners.