IMPROVE partners have implemented action plans during phase 2. Action plans are available in library section.
Extremadura
In Extremadura (Spain), the action plan implemented focused on improving the monitoring system of R&D&I support instruments through the inclusion of questionnaires sent to the beneficiaries of these grants. This information is of great value for policy makers as it allows them to better understand the effects of the support instruments on the beneficiary companies, and to make the relevant changes or improvements to optimise them.
Centre-Val de Loire
In the Centre-Val de Loire Region, there was a need to prioritize the expectations of the steering committees of the Priority Specialisation Domains (PSDs) for monitoring activities and indicators. DEV’UP found inspiration from Spain and Italy for their Smart Specialisation monitoring tool.
Puglia
In Puglia region (Italy) the implementation of action plan has contributed to improve the S3 governance model towards a real participation and openness. The actions developed during the Improve project moved towards two different directions. The first one deals with reinforcing the role of intermediary organisations. The second one is related to promote - also inside the S3 governance model - an approach oriented to deploying various support instruments (not just projects) with the aim to overcome the fragmentation of funding instruments and policies in territories, and misalignments between regional and national with EU initiatives.
Gabrovo
The main goal of Gabrovo AP within IMPROVE project is to improve cooperation between main actors in Gabrovo innovation ecosystem for better implementation of Gabrovo S3. In order to achieve this goal Gabrovo Municipality planned 2 actions in Gabrovo AP: Increased cooperation between companies and R&D organizations for development of innovation ecosystem and increased growth of innovation in the region as well as Improved monitoring and evaluation of Gabrovo S3 2021 -2030.
North West
The Action plan developed by the North West RDA laid on 2 examples of good practice identified in the regions: Extremadura, Spain and Centre, France, and these were mirrored into two Actions : one regarding the design of a Smart Specialization Monitoring Tool and the other one regarding the Management of the EDP at the S3 priority level through the setting up of the steering committees. Action 1 was completed, entirely. Action 2 was almost completed, one activity will be finalized until the end of 2023.
Tartu
As a result of the Action plan, the deep tech start-up support strategy for Tartu City has been designed. The deep-tech strategy includes involving stakeholders in start-up creation support, creating dissemination and exploitation activities for the target groups, and creating and matching specific funding and innovation programmes with the needs of the ecosystem.
Lapland
Action plan of Lapland includes activities related to relevant indicators, classification and instructions for project funding in the Finnish electronic system for structural funds management; piloting with new projects funded from the policy instrument as well as improved tools for project-level evaluation.
Centro
In Centro (Portugal), the action plan focused on the launch of a pilot Proof-of-Concept (PoC) call for proposals, which ocurred in July 2021. This was an instrument that was considered strategic by the regional stakeholders and that was foreseen in the Portuguese list of instruments to support Thematic Objective 1, but that had never been operationalised. After the formal approval of project proposals from this pilot call, CCDRC organised a meeting and prepared a survey to collect suggestions from the beneficiaries to allow the improvement of this instrument in the context of the 2021-2027 programming period.
