The main strategic objectives of the project can thus be outlined as:
Perform an interregional benchmarking analysis of efficient support instruments for the RTD in regions at different level of development but characterized in all the cases for an economy with a rural significant component and the existence of important demographic imbalances (for aging, depopulation, immigration, etc). The rural areas have problems specific in the field of RTD. These areas, normally, have led to a technology deficit and a shortage of RTD support services, a shortage of experts in technologies applicable to the local environment and insufficient diffusion of RTD processes, all of which leads to lower RTD dynamism in the rural areas. The activities of benchmarking will be the base to carry out activities of mentoring directed the regions of the consortium with minor development in the area of the application of RTD support instruments.
To analyze, using tools of prospective and economic intelligence, the future challenges, on the subject of Research and Technological Development (RTD) of European regions with certain common characteristics.
Promote an information flow among the regions involved in the project and other ones with similar characteristics. The information flow will be based in a virtual platform; the platform will also allow the stable networking activities among the partners and, in general, to spread the project activities, studies and bulletins.
The main functional objectives of the project can thus be outlined as:
Setting up of 5 working groups in the regional level. Each region will create a work group of experts in the field of RTD support instruments. The working groups to be created are:
Working Group of experts in Castilla y León (WG-CyL).
Working Group of experts in Brandenburg (WG-BB).
Working Group of experts in West Romania (WG-WR).
Working Group of experts in South Estonia (WG-SE).
Working Group of experts in Mid Sweden (WG-MS).
Setting up of a working group at trans-regional level (with experts from Castilla y León, Brandenburg, West Romania, South Estonia and Mid Sweden). The main mission of this working group will be to harmonize the works developed at regional level in the area of RTD support instruments. This working group will be named Trans-regional Working Group (TRWG).
Identification of at least eight best practices in the field of RTD support instruments. Each participant region will identify best practices, on the subject of support to the RTD activities, focused to the dominant traditional sectors in the rural areas of each one of the partners.
Setting in common of the best practices. The Trans-regional Working Group (TRWG) will compare and will value the best practices identified at regional level. Will be carried out a mentoring work with those regions with minor development in the area of RTD support instruments.
Implementation of a virtual platform with the aim to facilitate the exchange of information relative to RTD support instruments. The virtual platform also provides a discussion forum not only for the partners but also for people outside the consortium, providing an effective platform for the accomplishment of joint-partner tasks. This tool will also be of great use in the project management tasks, facilitating communication among partners.
It will be carried out 5 study tours with the aim to know in situ the implementation of the best practices. Representatives of the Trans-regional working Group (TRWG) will visit the participants regions to know first hand the implementation of the best practices.
Perform an indicators panel for the measurement of impact of the support policies for RTD in each of the regions participants in the project.
Elaboration of a trans-regional indicators panel. The Trans-regional Working Group (TRWG) will develop an analysis on the regional indicators panel. The group will develop a consensus proposal of indicators panel adapted to geographical areas with demographic significant imbalances.
Implementation of the consensus indicators panel in each of the regions participants.
Elaboration of a publication where there are included the best practices identified in the project.
Elaboration of a publication where there are included the consensus indicators panel developed in the project.
Identification of five future sectors, intensive in knowledge and with high added value and interest for the regions involved in the consortium.
Creation of 5 expert panels at trans-regional level. A panel of experts will be created for each one of the chosen sectors.
The panels will include experts proceeding from the private sector. With the aim to facilitate the work of these experts it will be possible use the virtual platform (see point 5) as way of communication.
Elaboration of 15 bulletins of Economic Intelligence on the chosen sectors.
Elaboration of a diffusion plan for the project.