PERSIST

Working with smart specialization is a long-term endeavour. Achieving effects like new innovations or transformation to a sustainable economy requires perseverance but often focus tends towards short term easy measurable goals and calls for funds and the long-term strategic capacity might get reduced. Many regions describe challenges in building enduring, long-term sustainable innovation systems that address the challenges of today while also fostering a transition to a sustainable economy in the long run. The fundamental premise is to have a structure with high and genuine commitment from relevant actors within the specialization areas.
This project aims at counteract the lack of skills and framework for long-term cooperation with actors in S3 at regional level. It will address how regional governments or agencies responsible for S3 and innovations strategies are working with these policy instruments to promoting long-term societal sustainable development.

All regions describe challenges in building stable, long-term sustainable innovation systems that address the challenges and needs of the business sector while also fostering a transition to a sustainable society in the long run (from all three perspectives - economic, social, and ecological). This project aims to develop frameworks for long-term cooperation networks with stakeholders and actors in smart specialization within the regions. The fundamental premise is to have a structure with high and genuine commitment from relevant actors within the specialization areas. The cooperation network should be based on a bottom-up perspective and the engagement gained through EDP or other inclusive processes.