S3 Couple Net

A cross-border network activating smart specialisation strategies in South Bohemia and Upper Austria.

South Bohemia and Upper Austria have long supported innovative business through programmes, regional innovation ecosystems, institutional cooperation and measures aligned with regional S3 strategies. Both regions recently updated these documents: South Bohemia RIS3 Strategy 2021–2027 and #upperVISION2030.

Smart specialisation is a strategic approach to research and innovation-led economic development, identifying regional opportunities and conditions that benefit from scientific or technological specialisation. It helps maximise the impact of regional and other EU policies and builds on the European Commission's October 2010 communication on regional policy and smart growth under Europe 2020.

The strategies address both regions' needs and innovation potential, considering existing research, production and service infrastructure, economic trends, technological megatrends and current challenges.

A harmonised RIS3 methodology enabled analysis of both documents, a cross-border network of key stakeholders and identification of shared needs, complementary capacities, measures and activities. The new programming period offered an opportunity to prepare indicative project proposals based on network members' needs and cooperation potential.

Partners on both sides are directly responsible for implementing regional strategies and represent organisations with region-wide reach. The main objective was to activate an effective cross-border network through a detailed comparison of S3 strategies and prepare cooperation measures in key regional areas.

Outputs in three languages: www.s3cn.eu.

Project information

  • Number: ATCZ262
  • Applicant and lead partner: Jihočeský vědeckotechnický park, a.s.
  • Partner: Business Upper Austria – OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH, Linz, Austria
  • Programme: Interreg V-A Austria–Czech Republic
  • Implementation: 1 September 2021–31 December 2022
  • Priority: Sustainable networks and institutional cooperation
  • Title: Cross-border network for activating S3 strategies in South Bohemia and Upper Austria
  • Specific objective: 4a

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