Revision of Azores Smart Specialisation Strategy to be completed by February 2020, announces Gui Menezes
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced in Lagoa, S. Miguel, that the Government has begun the revision process of the Azores Smart Specialisation Strategy - RIS3, "as provided for in the Programme of the Government," which should last for one year.
Speaking at the opening session of the Regional Innovation Council, Gui Menezes stressed that this revision process intends to update RIS3 "not only regarding the areas to be covered, but also the implementation methodologies."
According to the Regional Secretary, the aim is to design "a more adapted strategy that is consistent with society's expectations and the potential of the Azores for its development in differentiating areas from the standpoint of research, economic development and knowledge."
Even though these new areas have yet to be defined, Gui Menezes pointed out Space as one of the possible areas, which had not been covered in the previous RIS3. In this regard, he stressed that "we will have a new strategy by February 2020 followed by public discussion."
According to the government official, this new document "will serve as a basis for negotiations in the context of the next Community framework."
The Regional Secretary noted that the application of RIS3 methodologies has already enabled the approval of 52 R&D projects in the Azores under axis 1 of the Azores 2020 Operational Programme, representing an overall investment of nearly nine million Euros. These Research&Development projects are being developed under the Azores Scientific and Technological System and also in business context.
Nevertheless, Gui Menezes defended that the focus on innovation is not limited to the implementation of RIS3, pointing out the creation of incentives by the Regional Government and "the definition of concerted and integrated strategies that ensure a strong link between science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship."
In this regard, he announced that the Government will launch next month a funding line for the internationalisation of Research and Development projects in business context with a financial allocation of 600 thousand Euros. Additionally, it will also promote a contest for ID vouchers amounting to 800 thousand Euros in order to help "regional companies leveraging their innovation processes."
According to the Secretary for Science, this is the "right moment" to launch measures towards the internationalisation of science and business research as the next Community support framework is under discussion and it is necessary to prepare the Azores scientific system for new financing."
"It is important give a sign and allocate support for our research centres and companies to start looking for this internationalisation and possible partnerships and, thus, become better prepared for the next Community framework," said the government official.
"The Azores have the capacity to seek more funds for research and knowledge so that our companies may be better prepared in these areas because, without innovation, it is difficult for companies to thrive by themselves in an increasingly competitive world," added Gui Menezes.
In 2014, the Regional Government began developing a Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation to be implemented in the Region by 2020. It comprises three axes: Fisheries and the Sea, Agriculture, Livestock and Agro-industry, and Tourism.