EU regions are facing multiple megatrends and transitions that threaten their local economic development and social stability. Regional Development Agencies play a vital role in fostering local innovation eco-system, resilience and transition to green economy. Challenge-led innovation combined with place-based bottom-up transformative Smart Specialisation is one of widely discussed policy approaches to sustainable local development given its strong focus on grand societal challenges and local development needs.
To stimulate discussion on local competitiveness, Smart Specialisation, start-ups and SME scaling up, as well as teleworking among the development managers, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Trentino Sviluppo and EURADA are jointly organising a capacity building 2023 Winter School. The activities will enable the participants to learn from the OECD work, meet representatives of leading R&I institutions active in Trentino region, share experiences and develop synergies.
The Winter School seeks to:
- Raise awareness of global megatrends, competitiveness challenges, sustainability and resilience of local eco-systems linked to the implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies;
- Shed light on economic research methods for local development and innovation;
- Define common analytical and policy tools for analysis of resilience, sustainability and economic development that can be instrumental in designing and implementing Smart Specialisation Strategies;
- Stimulate sharing of knowledge and experience among participants, experts and professionals;
- Foster networking and debate around relevant case studies and good practices from Trentino (Italy), European Regional Development Agencies and across OECD member countries.
In particular, the 2nd day entitled “Smart Specialisation in practice: sharing experience on implementation of S3 strategies and discussion on challenge-led innovation, green transition, resilience and skills,” will focus on how Smart Specialisation can contribute to the delivery of innovative solutions our societies and environment need. To address the objectives of green transition and societal needs, the S3 concept will need to be extended from a primarily economic growth framework to social and environmental transformations.
For EURADA members, a tuition fee of €250.00 is foreseen. During this 3-day Winter School, participants will have the possibility to visit the premises and the laboratory of Trentino Sviluppo, the Regional Development Agency of Trentino Alto Adige Region, as well as HIT – Innovation Hub Trentino and the Bruno Kessler Foundation. Two pitching sessions for project proposals are also included in the programme.
Click here to check the draft agenda of the Winter School. Click here to register.
Click here to check the logist information on how to arrive in Trento.
For further information about the first EURADA Winter School, please do not hesitate to contact our colleague Giacomo Frisanco.
