Project summary
The ICSI EU project focuses on how regional policymakers can re-orient innovation policies and tools, so that long-standing sector-based networks take up cross-sectoral innovation (CSI) and address local and regional societal challenges. For a 4-year period, partners jointly learn how regional innovation policy can evolve from a sectoral approach towards a comprehensive cross-sectoral framework. They visit and study current solutions/platforms (hubs, clusters etc.) to be inspired and jointly reflect on what will be the best scenario for each region to evolve to and actively encourage CSI.
All partners face the same challenge: an untapped innovation potential due to the traditional way of working within smart specialisation sectors and in silos. The current sectoral approach does not encourage SMEs, knowledge institutions, innovation hubs, clusters and business support organisations to co-design and influence innovative product development that effectively responds to the diverse societal challenges. ICSI-EU aims to set a strategic course for the long term and increase impact as well as generate economic growth as new (export) products or services are developed.
The project is funded by the EU Interreg Europe Programme.
Partners
Province of West Flanders (Lead Partner) BE
The Business Agency of Lower Austria AT
The Baltic Institute of Finland FI
TUA West BE
San Sebastian Socio-Economic Development Agency ES
Warmia and Mazury Regional Development Agency in Olsztyn PL
Emilia-Romagna Region IT
Free Hanseatic City of Bremen Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation DE
Provincial Secretariat for Regional Development, Interregional Cooperation and Local Self-Government RS
Duration and budget
Project duration:
May 2025 – July 2029
Total project budget:
1 977 060 €
Total ERDF support:
1 581 648 €
