The Emilia-Romagna Regional Operational Programme (ROP) defines the strategy and implementation of the ERDF funds. Within the STRING project the focus will be put on the implementation of the Actions foreseen under the priority 1.b.

The objective of the priority, for which 140 million euro has been allocated, is to enforce the regional innovation system strengthening the cooperation between enterprises and innovation hubs, specifically involving the “High Technology Network”. This network was created during the previous programme period by financing the establishment of research infrastructures in the entire region. The network is divided into Thematic Platforms that reflect the key areas for Regional Smart Growth, as identified in the Regional and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3). One of the five priority sectors is the Agrifood sector with 15% of the total budget. All interventions for the agrifood sector will be subject of analysis for improvement.

The main need for improvement is to assure the continuity of the collaborative research, anticipating the most significant innovation paths, promoting projects of strategic relevance and improving a holistic approach to the regional innovation system: these objectives are particularly relevant for the agrofood industry, for its importance at regional level and for its production system. The lack of coordination of interventions with other funds such as the Rural Development Plan (EARDF) is also in need.

TOP allocates a budget frame to regional actors such as counties and cities with county rights and provides them with a planning framework to prepare their Integrated Territorial Programmes (ITP). Priority 6 “Sustainable urban development” within TOP is dedicated to cities acting as regional centres, such as Debrecen, which has a budget of 144 million euro. The Debrecen ITP is tailored to regional characteristics and structured into 7 ERDF and 2 ESF measures, including a preliminary list of projects for each measure. ERDF Measure No. 1 represents the highest share (30%) and provides space for initiatives related to innovation, incubation and cluster development for sectors prioritized in county level RIS3. Under the topic of innovation, The Debrecen Innovation Centre project is the sole project initiative. It aims to improve innovation capacities in the region with a focus on food industry. As such, it is a real flagship serving not only the city but also the whole region. Furthermore, two additional ESF projects also contribute to the operation of innovative chains and the Innovation centre.

Yet, the budget allocation structure does not reflect the high ambitions of the city to become a real R+D+I centre in priority fields such as food production. Also breakthrough solutions to ensure efficient use of funding are needed. Finally, additional, smaller scale projects should also be funded supporting the flagship project, promoting investment in infrastructure and services.

The objectives of ERDF Operational Programme of Castilla y León relevant for STRING are:

• promoting innovation and contributing to a change in the production model of Castilla y León;

• promoting the sustainability of enterprises, especially those with a high innovative competence, and the creation of new businesses.

The OP consists of 6 priorities; the 1st priority is Fostering of R&D and innovation. The objectives of the region are in line with those of STRING: Strengthening R&D and innovation institutions and improving the R&D infrastructures; promoting R&D&I activities by enterprises and supporting the creation and consolidation of innovative SMEs; transferring new technology and fostering cooperation between innovation chain entities.

The expected outcomes on the OP level imply increasing number of enterprises cooperating with research institutions and increasing number of enterprises supported from the OP. The target values include SMEs from all sectors including food industry, which is the strength of the region. The overall OP budget is 628 million Euro of which 183,7 million euro is allocated for the first priority (29,7%).

The above characteristics reflect that the region is especially sensitive to SME development and the promotion of innovation among them. However, in the OP there should be more attention paid for the preparation and the inclusion of food sector SMEs joining the innovative communities of the food industry (see state of the pay below).

The Policy Instrument “Focused Growth” covers a few high priority growth areas among which the food sector is a top area of intervention. It highlights the use of clusters, open innovation and smart specialisation to raise the number of innovative SMEs. The target of raising R&D to 3% of GNP has been reached and now there is need to transform the increased R&D into innovation and growth in the food industry.

The National Structural Fund program (ERDF) has four priority axes. Priority 1: Strengthening SME innovation represents 41,48% of the total budget and promotes a. innovation partnerships and b. increased SME innovation through strong cluster organisations. The regional policy instruments for the implementation of the OP are the so called Focused Growth Documents of regions. Regarding Foodstuffs, Central Denmark is to focus on innovation, differentiation of regional products and services and raising skill levels so that Central Denmark’s food businesses can maintain global competitiveness and increase their contribution to the overall growth and the creation of added value.

The policy instrument of Central Denmark Region is considered as quite elaborate and prudent, however there is a need to improve flexibility and alignment with other policy instruments – both regional and national - to better use the cross-fertilizing and also the synergic effects of programmes and projects at the interface of different financing and activity scopes of the distinct policy instruments.

The National Spatial Development Strategy of Romania along with the Structural Fund Regulations define the main policy principles and operative actions of integrated territorial development in Romania. The Structural Fund resources serving regional development are allocated via the Regional Operational Programme (POR) for 2014-2020.

The relevant OP related PI for Covasna County is the Central Region Development Strategy for 2014 – 2020. Within the six priorities Priority 2 aims to Increase economic competitiveness, stimulate research and innovation. Measure 2.2 deals is most relevant for food innovation and clusterization: Expansion and diversification of regional and local infrastructure, business clusters and networks for economic cooperation. This is intended to be implemented through projects for construction and development of industrial, technology, agro-industrial parks and technology transfer and business incubator centers, cluster development, and projects to improve the economic performance of firms. Funding for the 2nd priority represents only 2,95% of the overall regional budget frame, being the smallest among the priorities.

The region primarily aims to make the innovative organizations in food sector more prepared and cohesive and properly backed by innovation infrastructure. The targeted OP does not respond to this need soundly. The use of funding should be more fitted to the conditions prevailing in Romania so that more stakeholders can benefit from SFs.

The relevant policy instrument for Alsace Region in STRING is the Operational Programme ERDF Alsace 2014-2020. The OP aims to support the regional development in Alsace in a smart, innovative and sustainable way. The ERDF budget is 89 M €; while the overall programme budget is 266 M €. Food sector finds relevance in Priority 1 (Innovation) and Priority 3 (SME’s competitiveness). Priority 3 supports increasing R&D added value especially in topics prioritised in the regional S3. Food industry is among these topics. Priority 3 also supports SME’s to access new, especially international markets, and to become “factories of the future”, based on the up-scaling of innovative solutions.

The food industry is the first French industrial sector on a national level, and the second one in Alsace in terms of GDP. It is therefore a key sector for regional competitiveness, and a key target for the OP. But while innovation and export are top priorities for the food industry, companies in this sector are often family-run SME’s with limited time frame or lacking competencies to innovate and export.

The financial support of the ERDF programme is intended to help the sector to reach these goals through the support of joint initiatives backing the small and medium enterprises to keep up with the expectations of the new potential markets. The OP is to be made more supportive of these innovation centers as hubs of testing the new products or processes.