Good practice:

Lower Saxon RIS3 (2021-2027)

The development of the RIS3 was based on the analysis of the strength und potentials of the Lower Saxon economy and on an Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) with wide stakeholder involvement. The RIS3 should enable Lower Saxony to identify and develop its competitive advantages. The strategy should allow Lower Saxony to concentrate on its core strengths.
More than 150 stakeholders representing the business sector, the scientific community, intermediaries, public authorities and social partners came on board to discuss und develop the Innovation Strategy of Lower Saxony. Public consultations as well as expert interviews and discussions and five specialised workshops were held with these representatives up until November of 2019;

Aims of the workshops:
1. Identification and discussion of essential current challenges in relevant thematic areas of Lower Saxony
2. Possibilities of specialisation of the new RIS3
3. Ideas for new instruments and measures.

In the context of the stakeholder participation, the aims were discussed constructively with the Stakeholders. The results of the participation processes had an enormous influence on reaching the described goals. They became part of the new Regional Innovation strategy.

Types of interaction between the promoting institution and stakeholders:
• Kick-off event in order to inform of the Strategy and process
• Workshops with small groups
• Entrepreneurial Discovery Process

- Staff for the coordination of the design of the strategy
- Service provider for the development of an experts report
- Service provider for hosting workshops (with the support of an external consulter)

The joint process was already a big success. Many stakeholders were involved which enabled the commitment of the stakeholders to the strategy. The process will continue during the next years and stakeholders will play an active role in the implementation phase of the RIS3.

• Broad stakeholder engagement for the development of the strategy in order to adapt funding instruments to the needs of the stakeholders
• Using a wide range of methods for stakeholder engagement in order to generate the best output for the development of the strategy.
• The development of a clear roadmap on how to continue this process during the next 7 years. This includes the definition of who should be involved when defining specialised thematic areas for programme calls and the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes and their efficiency.