Diagram 4.1. shows the major components of a regional innovation system. It is the system that produces and drives technology and innovation to companies and intermediary organisations in the region.
Diagram 4.1 Regional Innovation System
The regional innovation system is part of the productive system of the region and the established mix of activities, inter-activity linkages and institutional regulations. However, the innovation system can be considered as the "brain" of the production system. It has the responsibility for the modernisation, the adaptation of production to changing external conditions, and the effective competition on the market.
Focusing the Plan on the regional innovation system is a principal methodological choice. The rest of the method is based on common planning approaches, such as the articulation of analysis and strategy, the specification of strategy to projects, the study of the implementation framework, and the organisation of monitoring and evaluation.
From this point of view, deliverables of the Regional Technology Plan in C. Macedonia are the necessary components of a Plan supporting the regional innovation system, such as:
- The definition of projects for technological development in Central Macedonia, based on the substantial agreement between the principal bodies and agencies of the public and private sectors in the Region, to be implemented through the 2nd CSF, other Community programmes or initiatives, and public and private investment. The concern the regional innovation system and promote actions for innovation financing, the supply of technology services, technology transfer, and vocational training.
- The creation of an Observatory to monitor the progress of the Plan, and to record and provide information about the innovation system, the supply and demand for technology services and the development of Central Macedonia, to companies, government and the research community.
- The participation of Central Macedonian in the network of European Regions elaborating RTPs and collaborating on matters of technology, innovation and development.
In order to realise all the above, an analytical working programme was drawn up, including details of actions and implementing agents and an analytical timetable. The working programme is divided into four phases: Phase 1 focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the regional innovation system. Phases 2 and 3 involve the development of a regional innovation strategy and of an Action Plan. Phase 4 concentrates on the implementation of the Plan, the translation of its strategic guidelines into measures and projects, in conjunction with the Community Support Framework and Community Initiatives (see Table 4.1.).
WORK PACKAGE |
SPECIFICATIONS |
WORKING GROUP |
TIME TABLE MONTHS |
|
1 |
RTP Framework |
DG XVI & XIII |
- |
- |
2 |
Setting-up the Steering Committee (SC) |
DG XVI & XIII |
- |
1-3 |
3 |
Setting-up the Management Unit (MU) |
DG XVI & XIII |
- |
1-3 |
| 4 | Define the deliverables |
MU-SC |
MU-SC |
1-3 |
5 |
Define the method |
MU |
EXPERTS |
1-3 |
6 |
Develop the working programme |
MU-SC |
MU-SC |
1-3 |
7 |
Regional productive system analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4 -10 |
8 |
Regional generic technologies analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4 -10 |
| 9 | Regional technology demand analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4-10 |
10 |
Regional technology supply analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4-10 |
11 |
Regional technology transfer analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4 -10 |
12 |
RTP priorities definition |
MU |
MU-SC |
11-14 |
13 |
Bottom-up project selection |
MU |
MU |
11-14 |
14 |
Experts consultation on projetcs |
MU |
EXPERTS |
11-14 |
15 |
Technology demand and selection of projects |
MU |
EXPERTS |
14-16 |
16 |
Strategy outline |
MU |
MU |
16-18 |
17 |
Action plan |
MU |
MU-SC |
16-18 |
| 18 | Feasibility studies for the projects |
MU |
EXPERTS |
16-18 |
19 |
Implementation framework analysis |
MU |
EXPERTS |
12-18 |
20 |
RTP approval |
MU |
SC |
18 |
21 |
Observatory development |
MU |
EXPERTS |
4 -18 |
