EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - E-cluster: facilitating and improving science-business cooperation

E-cluster: facilitating and improving science-business cooperation

Introduction

The principle aim of the project is to enhance the regional potential in the innovation and Information Technology (IT) area by setting up a cooperation between the Research and Development (R&D) sector (universities) and business area (IT companies).

Problem

Poland lags behind Europe in producing and/or implementing new ideas. The lack of business sector participation in financing of R&D activity and the establishment of effective mutual connections with the science world are considered the main reasons. Channels of exchanging know-how are underdeveloped or simply does not exist.

Description

The project supports the creation of regional innovation systems in the Polish region of Malopolska. These clusters, which form a network of connections between universities and businesses, cover the same geographical area and are active in the IT branch. The aim of these clusters is to raise the competitiveness and maximise the benefits of science-business cooperation.

The project involves the following activities:

creation and development of a cooperation network in the field of
innovation;
creation and development of a communication and information exchange system, based on research on the IT market in Malopolska;
practical training on implementing innovations for regional enterprises.

Approach

The major actions undertaken in the project:

Creating a website as communication tool between actors;
Organising a cycle of conferences;
Building the data bases;
Organising internships for graduates of higher education institutions;
Research regarding the Malopolska IT market.

Results

The project is currently being implemented. Final results will be made available through the end-of-project evaluation.

Resources used

Total budget: 415,635 euros

Structural Fund (ERDF) co-financing: 311,726 euros

National public co-financing: 103,908 euros

EU involvement

This practice was presented at the Fourth Best Practice Conference New Horizons in Graz, Austria on 15 November 2006. The conference aimed at promoting exchange of experience and dissemination of best practice between authorities involved in the implementation on EU Structural Funds Programmes in Europe. It was destined to contribute to improving quality of implementation of Structural Funds on the basis of project presentations and visits.

Contact info

GRAZ Best Practice Conference
Szymon Kawa, tel. +48 122 990 705

Project start date

01/08/2005

Links

Visit the GRAZ Best Practice Conference website

Download the 'E-cluster: facilitating and improving science-business cooperation' Report (PDF, Eng, 51 KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Research & innovation

Keywords

Implementation & production