The Central Macedonia Regional Technology Plan is coordinated and managed by two bodies: the Steering Committee and the Management Unit.

The Steering Committee is composed of representatives of the government, private sector and scientific institutions. It is responsible for the policy guidelines of the Plan, and ensures the agreement on the character of technological development in the region. Its members are:

• The Minister of Macedonia - Thrace (K. Triaridis and Ph. Petsalnikos)
• The General Secretary of the Region of Central Macedonia (K. Tsimas and G. Sofianos)
• The General Secretary for Research and Technology (N. Christodoulakis and I. Fragoulis)
• One representative from DG XVI of the European Commission (M. Landabaso)
• One representative from DG XIII of the European Commission (G. Strogylopoulos)
• The President of the Confederation of Industries of Northern Greece (N. Eftymiadis)
• One representative of the Association of Exporters of Northern Greece (I. Adamidis)
• One representative of the Centre for Industrial and Cultural Development (I. Tsaras)
• One representative from the food and beverage industry (D. Symeonidis)
• One representative from the textile industry (A. Genitsaris)
• One representative from the General Confederation of Greek Workers, Macedonian Labour Institute (K. Pagarliotas)
• One representative of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (I. Tsoukalas and E. Tzekakis)
• One representative of the University of Macedonia (L. Lambrianidis)
• One representative from the Thessaloniki Technology Park (I. Vasalos and G. Vakaros)
• The co-ordinator of the Management Unit (N. Komninos)
• One international expert with experience in innovation planning and technology transfer (M. Thomas and K. Morgan)

The Management Unit introduces proposals to the Steering Committee and provides scientific expertise and support for the policy guidelines of the Plan. The Management Unit of the C. Macedonia RTP consists of the following persons:

• N. Komninos, Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, School of Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, co-ordinator,
• G. Kafkalas, Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, School of Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
• S. Tsiakiris, Regional planning engineer, European Programmes Section at the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace,
• L. Kyriafini, Chemical engineer.

In the Steering Committee participated also Mr A. Chryssafis from DG III (Industry) whose the contribution on issues related to information technologies and regional development was very important. The work of Management Unit was supported by a large number of internal and external working groups, which provided scientific expertise and analysis on issues related to regional development, technology demand and supply, technology transfer, and planning for innovation infrastructures. The overall administrative structure and the connections between official bodies and working groups are presented in diagram 3.1.

The key issue in the overall decision making process was to create a broad base of regional support for the Plan. Reaching consensus was a permanent concern of the Management Unit and implied the preparation of all decisions, from the creation of working groups to the definition of priorities and the selection of projects, in consultation with the participants in the formulation of the regional innovation strategy. Furthermore, to increase the motivation of the various parties involved in the planning process, we tried to assure their participation in the implementation of the Plan and the evaluation of its effects upon the regional innovation system. The general support expressed for the Plan justifies these orientations, and indicates the interest for the participation in its promotion and implementation.

Diagram 3.1. Structure of the administration and management of the RTP