Smart Specialisation is both an evidence-based concept and practical policy approach to concentrate investments in innovation around forward-looking priorities. After being developed by leading researchers it has become a key part of EU policy making over the last 15 years. However, this proven approach that increases both competitiveness and cohesion has been severely weakened in the European Commission’s proposals for the next MFF.
Implemented mostly by the Cohesion Policy, Smart Specialisation has been obligatory when programming the European Structural and Investment Funds since 2014, but under Commission proposals will no longer be the case from 2028.
In an attempt to simplify the MFF, National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) will replace the traditional operational programmes and lump together funds including the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, and those for agriculture. However, signatories of the statement warn that without the obligation to implement Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), these investments will not consider differences in the innovation potential and needs of regions.
S3 has also been implemented in centrally managed programmes, including Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, offering a means to combine regional strengths for EU strategic objectives. In particular, the European Innovation Ecosystems and Interegional Innovation Investments (I3) Programmes have been very promising and shown concrete results. However, I3 is not clearly visible as a dedicated programme, and overall there is strategic ambiguity on the role of S3.
Higher education institutions make an important contribution to innovation ecosystems and S3 priorities, not only through research and innovation but all their missions combined. EURASHE therefore shares the deep concern among the group of 12 signatories to this statement and will continue to impress on policy makers the need for a place-based approach to European funding programmes.