Transcript Anglo-Greek South-East European Research Centre (SEERC)

Information Workshop for Potential Beneficiaries
under Projects for Cross-border Cooperation between
Bulgaria and Greece
The overall framework for Bulgarian-Greek relations after
Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union (future
prospects and opportunities) – with focus on the current
issues in the field of R&D/innovation in Greece.
Melnik, Bulgaria 30/3/2007
Nikos Zaharis, SEERC Director
What is SEERC?
South-East European Research Centre
is an Anglo-Greek Research and Educational
Partnership based in Thessaloniki
WHAT IS SEERC?
A non profit organisation established by the University
of Sheffield and CITY Liberal Studies.
An
interdisciplinary
Research
Centre
designed
to
extend South East Europe’s research capacity and role in
the European Knowledge Society.
MISSION STATEMENT:
SEERC’s mission is to support the sustainable, long-term
political, economic, and social development of South
Eastern Europe (SEE) by conducting pure and applied
research and policy analysis in and for the region.
SEERC Research Tracks
RT1. Enterprise, innovation and
development
Innovation and competitiveness
Regional development
Logistics
SME competitiveness
Human resources management
Organizational Analysis
RT2. Information and
Communication Technologies
Intelligent Systems
Software Engineering
Information & Knowledge
Management
Educational Informatics
Information Society policy
RT3. Governance, politics and
society
European integration
Social Policy
Media and culture
International relations
Migration
Public administration
RT4. Risk and well-being
Substance abuse
Psychological aspects of chronic
diseases
Mental health
Cognitive Neuroscience
21/07/2015
4
Contents of today’s presentation
• Implications from Bulgaria’s full membership in
the EU
• What is innovation?
• EU strategies for growth and employment
(Lisbon) and sustainable development
(Gothenburg)
• The Greek experience on fostering innovation and
research
• Cross-border cooperation in the fields of
innovation and technology: examples and
suggestions
21/07/2015
5
Implications from Bulgaria’s full membership
in the EU
• Structural funds instead of pre-accession funds
– Programming cycles (currently 2007-1013)
– Responsibility/ accountability for the programming – implementation –
evaluation cycle lying solely on the Bulgarian authorities
– Authorities should put emphasis on the maturing process of every
intervention there are planning to do.
• Territorial cooperation (Objective 3) with Greece is a cooperation
between Member States: New needs and new challenges. More mature
projects – interventions at both sides of the borders.
• Full participation in the 7th FP for R&D and the CIP FP
– Chance for Bulgarian academics and companies to coordinate projects
– Full participation in the R&D environment of the Union/ networking
• Basic texts that will underpin economic and regional development
strategy in the near future:
– Lisbon strategy for growth and employment
– Gothenburg strategy for sustainable development
21/07/2015
6
Innovation - definition
• Introduction of a new idea into the marketplace in the form
of a new product or service or an improvement in
organization or process.
• A new idea, method or device. The act of creating a new
product or process. The act includes invention as well as
the work required to bring an idea or concept into final
form.
• The introduction of new ideas, goods, services, and
practices which are intended to be useful. An essential
element for innovation is its application in a commercially
successful way.
• Creating value out of new ideas, new products, new
services or new ways of doing things.
21/07/2015
7
Lisbon agenda
• Lisbon Target: “to become the most
competitive and dynamic knowledge-based
economy in the world capable of
sustainable economic growth with more and
better jobs and greater social cohesion”.
– Knowledge and innovation for growth,
– Making Europe a more attractive place to invest
and work,
– Creating more and better jobs
21/07/2015
8
Gothenburg Agenda
• The EU recognizes that in the long term, economic
growth, social cohesion and environmental protection
must go hand in hand.
• Main threats to sustainable development
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
global warming and climate change
new antibiotic-resistant strains of some diseases
longer-term effects of the many hazardous chemicals
threats to food safety
poverty and social exclusion
ageing of the population
loss of bio-diversity in Europe
waste volumes have persistently grown faster than GDP.
soil loss and declining fertility
transport congestion
regional imbalances
21/07/2015
9
Gothenburg Agenda (cont.)
• Responses:
– Improve policy coherence (i.e. agriculture and fisheries
policies, transport policies, cohesion policies)
– Getting prices right to give signals to individuals and
businesses
• i.e. the polluter pays principle
– Invest in science and technology for the future
– Improve communication and mobilize citizens and business
• ie. Triple bottom line in the businesses annual reports to shareholders
(economic, environmental and social performance)
– Take enlargement and the global dimension into account
21/07/2015
10
All EU funding programs are one way or another informed by
the Lisbon and Gothenburg Agendas – examples:
1. 7th FP – Socio-economic research
• Activity 1: Growth, employment and competitiveness in a
knowledge society: the European case
• Activity 2: Combining economic, social and environmental
objectives in a European perspective: paths towards
sustainable development
2. New South East European Space SEES (ex-CADSES)
• SEES is a continuation of CADSES program. It will include
all countries of SEE as well as eastern Italy, Germany, Austria,
Hungary, Moldova and western Ukraine. Western Turkey
which was not included in CADSES is also foreseen to be
included.
• 4 priorities:
21/07/2015
–
–
–
–
Innovation and competitiveness
Accessibility
Environment
Sustainable urban development
11
Bulgarian Structural funds examples
3. OP Competitiveness
•
•
•
Development of a Knowledge-Based Economy
and Innovation Activities
Improvement of the business supporting proinnovative infrastructure
Providing support for technology start-ups
4. OP Transport. Overall goal: “Development of
sustainable transport”
21/07/2015
12
Fostering innovation – the Greek
experience
A. Public research centers loosely linked to the
Universities
B. Public incubators and Technology/ Science Parks
C. Private incubators
D. Support for University Support
E. Venture Capital fund
F. Regional Innovation Poles
G. Thessaloniki Innovation Zone
H. The role of the stakeholders
21/07/2015
13
A. Public research centers loosely linked to
the Universities
• Established by the Greek General Secretariat for Research and
Technology mainly during the ’90s making use of the Structural Funds.
Played an important role at providing flexibility to University- based
researchers to perform applied research.
• Examples:
• Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas
(FORTH) – based in Crete
• Centre for Research and Technology (C.E.R.T.H.) based in Thessaloniki
• Ceramics and Refractories Technological Development
Company (CERECO S.A.) - based in Chalkis
• Metallurgical Industrial Research & Technology
Development Center (MIRTEC) - based in Volos
21/07/2015
14
B. Public incubators and Technology/ Science
Parks
• Established during the early 90s by Public
Research and Technology centers, i.e. in Crete,
Athens, Patra and Thessaloniki.
– Pros:
• First effort to encourage spin offs and support start ups
• Access to university and research centers’ facilities and expert
personnel
– Cons:
• The public nature of the creators of the incubators inhibited a
professional and business – like approach
• No access to finance (venture capitals etc).
– Overall: limited success – best successful example:
Forthnet telecom company
21/07/2015
15
21/07/2015
16
C. Private incubators
• Established after 2002 as a result of an open call for proposals by the
Ministry of Development.
• Main characteristics:
– The state puts 50% of the expenses and the incubator’s owner/manager
has to contribute the other 50%
– Provision of management services and access to venture capital is
foreseen as necessary and vital.
– Success is judged by the ability of the incubator to attract and sustain start
ups but also by business criteria.
• Pros:
– Private investors have a clear incentive to help star-ups grow
– Access of start –ups to finance
– Emphasis on the business prospect of the start up along the scientific/
technological aspect
• Cons:
– Too much emphasis on ”bottom line” can inhibit potentially successful
start –ups
– Limited interaction with Academia compared with the public incubators
21/07/2015
17
i4G Incubator in Thessaloniki
– Established in 2003 by a
EUROCONSULTANTS a major Greek
consultancy based in Thessaloniki
– First private incubator in Greece
– Total Investment: 5,5 m €
– Public subsidy: 50%
– Established firms: 12 (currently)
– Total available space: 1600 sp.m. of
which 1200 for the incubated firms
21/07/2015
18
21/07/2015
19
i4G Services
• Co-operation among scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs
and investors.
• Entrepreneurship encouragement by pointing out new
ideas and supporting their business-wise utilization.
• Management Consulting and information provision
support
• Investment support in the form of shared capital
(essentially the incubator acts as a Venture Capital)
• Provision of building facilities including provision of
common facilities
• Provision of professional services
• Technical assistance for growth
• Networking - synergies
• Mentoring / Coaching
21/07/2015
20
i4G entry criteria
• Typical criteria
–
–
–
–
–
Firms still in their early stage
Recent presence in the market
Innovative entrepreneurial activity
“Knowledge Intense” activity section
Legal status
• Essential criteria
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Competitive Product
Technology level of both products and services
Shareholders' reliability and commitment to the firm
Managerial qualities (expertise and know-how, professional
maturity)
Dividend assessment
Flexible exit procedures
Internal Return Rates (IRR)
Payback period
21/07/2015
21
D. Support for Universities spin -offs
The Program was designed by the General Secretariat for Research and
Technology to support the creation of spin-offs from the universities and
public research centers. It was implemented in two phases:
• Phase A: A proposal by one or more academics/ researchers was funded
in order to prepare a detailed Business and Marketing plan.
• Phase B: The Business and Marketing plans prepared in Phase 2 were
evaluated and those that were deemed promising from a business
perspective were funded. State aid was for 50% of Business Plan expenses
up to 100,000 €
Up till today 200 projects with a total budget of 9 m € have been funded
21/07/2015
22
E. Venture Capital fund (New Economy
Development Fund S.A.)
• The New Economy Development Fund S.A. has been established by
the Ministry of Economy. Its purpose is to co-finance the formation of
venture capital funds, which will be investing in innovative businesses
at early development stages.
• The investment schemes in which NEDF will participate should invest
in shares of small enterprises, preferably in early development stages,
and with actual and registered offices in Greece.
• NEDF a minority investor
• VCs that NEDF invests in, should be managed by the private sector,
and investment decisions should be taken by the managers on a
commercial basis.
• Up to date 4 investments:
–
–
–
–
Capital Connect Venture Partners 12 m €
Zaitech Fund 15 m €
IBG Hellenic Fund II 13,5 m €
Pancretan Development Fund 3 m €
21/07/2015
23
F. Regional Innovation poles
• An imitative of the Ministry of Development, funded by the OP
Competitiveness (Structural funds).
• Main objective is to enhance regional competitiveness through
fostering of the research, technological and innovative activities of a
Region as well as of the organizations and businesses that are
operating in this region.
• Activities:
– R&TD projects designed to effect a large number of enterprises through
cooperation with research and technology organizations
– Creation of Regional Technology Platforms (idea based on the Technology
Platforms of FP6)
– Access of the region’s SMEs to European and International clusters and
networks
– Transfer of know-how and technology to the region’s SMEs
– Support the creation of spin-offs and start-ups
– Further development of public R&D infrastructure on sectors of regional
interest.
– Training of researchers and staff on R&D and innovation
• 5-6 RIPs are expected to be established all over Greece (Athens area is
excluded).
21/07/2015
24
G. Thessaloniki Innovation Zone
Eastern part of Thessaloniki has been developed during the
last 10 years as a “de facto” innovation zone that
encompasses:
– The Centre for Research and Technology with its 4
Research Institutions
– The Thessaloniki Technology Park and its Incubator
– 2 private High-tech incubators (i4G and THERMI)
– 2 private High-tech incubators (to be established)
– The Thessaloniki Technopolis (to host 70 – 100 ICT
companies)
– The Technology Museum of Thessaloniki
– An increasing number of IT and consulting companies
– Labs of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
21/07/2015
25
G. Thessaloniki Innovation Zone (cont.)
• The “Thessaloniki Innovation Zone TIZ” is an initiative of the Greek
state to “capitalize” of the above described “de facto” situation (high
intensity of research and innovation activities).
• TIZ is a regional development project that aspires to foster the links
between research and the industry and to improve the business
environment aiming at:
– Supporting embedding innovation in current business operations with a
view on competitiveness development
– Attracting new knowledge – based investments in the region including
FDI
– Exploiting the region’s human capital and avoiding brain-drain
– Creating new high education jobs and know how
– Improving quality of life of the citizens and the employees
– Supporting social cohesion
• The project’s ultimate goal is to establish Thessaloniki as a “Centre for
the Development and Diffusion of Innovation in South East Europe”
and provide a pole for development of the whole region of Northern
Greece.
21/07/2015
26
H. The role of the stakeholders
• Regional authorities
– Responsible for the programming exercise
– Organize the public consultation process
– Establish and oversee the implementation authorities (i.e.
managing authorities)
• Local authorities
– Participate in the programming exercise and the public
consultation process
– Participate in the management of specific programs through the
establishment of intermediary bodies – a lot of times in
cooperation with business representing organizations
• i.e. the local development agencies that manage the LEADER
programs
– Act as final beneficiaries of specific programs related to the
development of their region
21/07/2015
27
H. The role of the stakeholders (cont.)
• Business representing organizations (Chambers, associations of
industries)
– Participate in the public consultation process and some times officially in
the programming exercise through the Regional Monitoring Committee.
– Establish intermediary bodies that manage funds related to business
development
• i.e. the Regional SME Support programs are managed either by banks or by
non-for-profit organizations established by Business Representing
Organizations
– Chambers can act as final beneficiaries
– Initiate development projects based on the needs of their members
• i.e. the Thessaloniki Technopolis, a project initiated by the Association of IT
Companies of Northern Greece
• Universities/ research centers
– Participate in the public consultation process and some times officially in
the programming exercise through the Regional Monitoring Committee.
– Can act as final beneficiaries
21/07/2015
28
Examples of cross border / territorial
cooperation on innovation and R&D
Innovation and Tech Transfer Network for Enterprising development in the
cross border area Greece – Bulgaria
•Purpose: Creation of a technology transfer and innovation network to enhance
entrepreneurship in the cross border region ad in parallel foster cooperation
between the academic and research institutes of the 2 countries.
•Activities:
– Record of current innovation infrastructure and the relevant legal framework and
funding opportunities.
– Feasibility study for establishing a Technology Park in Bulgaria
– State of the art in selected priority sectors in the cross border area.
– Creation of a thematic innovation and technology transfer network that will
include:
•
•
•
•
•
A web portal
Creation of training material
Training of staff
Experience exchange
Establishment of an annual forum
•Partners:
– Thessaloniki Technology Park
– Department of Economics and Management- University of National and World
Economy
21/07/2015
29
Problems of this type of INTERREG
/ CBC projects:
– One of the partners can not be adequately
funded.
– Member states were funded from Structural
Funds and non-Members from pre-accession
funds. Coordination is close to impossible
• These problems will be solved since from
now on the cross border cooperation
between the two countries is cooperation
involving two Member States.
21/07/2015
30
Objectives of feature cross border cooperation
between Greece and Bulgaria in the field of
research and innovation
• Transfer of experience (both positive and negative
examples)
• Creation of permanent networks of researchers and
businesses on special topics that will take advantage of:
– The knowledge that exists in the area
– The production and business profile of the area
– The new opportunities created by new and disruptive technologies
(i.e. the internet, telecoms) that will allow the regions to overcome
inherited disadvantages (i.e. spatial isolation).
• Inform policy makers and affect policy agendas and
programs
• Upgrade skills of local workforce in order to enable them
to participate in the Knowledge economy
21/07/2015
31