The Government of the Azores was included in the Platform "S3 - Smart Specialization Strategies," a European Commission initiative which aims to further develop "smart specialization" strategies of States and Regions, focused on innovation and competitiveness.
 
The creation of the "S3 Platform" was announced by the European Commission in June 2011 on the paper "The contribution of Regional Policy for a smart growth in the «Europe 2020» strategy." Considered a "representative initiative" under the «Europe 2020» strategy and the Paper «Union of Innovation», this platform aims to identify high-value activities providing the best conditions to increase the competitiveness of European regions,  through the access to funding for research and innovation, thus ensuring that innovative ideas can be turned into products and services with the potential of generating growth and jobs.

The Government of the Azores, represented by the Regional Director for Science, Technology and Communications, Paulo Menezes, will start the Region's work in the Platform by participating in the seminar "The Peer Discussion Guide and S3 as a step Towards S3 Strategies" to take place in Seville on January 31. This event is organised by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies.
 
The registration of the Outermost Regions in "S3 Platform” had already been announced by the President of the Government, Carlos César, last November, as a priority of the Azorean Presidency of the Conference of ORs. The participation of these regions was confirmed by the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation, Rodrigo Oliveira, at meeting held last week in Brussels with the Directorate General for Regional Policy of the European Commission.

In the context of this meeting, the organisation of the seminar "Smart Specialization Strategies" in the Region was also addressed and scheduled for June 4 and 5, 2012. The event will be attended by top officials and experts from the European Commission, the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies as well as from different European regions and institutions.