European Commission DG REGIO
ongoing
Ecorys, GAC, t33, EURADA, ECA, tipik, iO Digital, EBAN
Whether it is climate change, digitalisation or resilience, sustainable solutions emerge when regional ecosystems make targeted use of their specific potential. Smart Specialisation (S3) is a dynamic learning and strategy process: regions identify particular areas of innovation expertise, connect business, science and administration, and tailor instruments accordingly. The aim is not to offer ‘everything for everyone’, but rather focused specialisation with European added value.
On behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO), Prognos, together with a network of partners, will implement the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) from 2025 onwards. The platform supports Member States, regions and third countries in the exchange of knowledge and in the development and implementation of S3 strategies – through dialogue formats, practical support and guidelines. In this way, it promotes strategic cooperation and further development across levels and borders.
With the management of the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP), we are implementing and further developing the EU platform on smart specialisation created in 2022. This platform offers analyses, practical tools, dialogue formats, workshops and collaboration opportunities, contributing to intelligent development, robust governance and effective implementation of S3 strategies in the EU. In addition, the project advises the European Commission (DG REGIO) with analyses and expertise on the strategic and operational design of future S3 policy.
Prognos can draw on extensive expertise in both regional strategy development and support (practical perspective of S3) and in the scientific analysis of European S3 strategies (research perspective).
Prognos is responsible for the project management of the S3 CoP and is responsible for the following core tasks:
To the online platform
Project team: Francesco Fumagalli, Jakobus Kai Jaspersen, Justyna Kramarczyk, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Marcel Mayimona, Paulius Mater-Pranskevicius, Paul Möhlmann, Isabel Caroline Schöfl, Fabian Schmidt, Markus Zock
Latest update: 13.11.2025
As part of ERDF funding 2021-2027, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has developed a regional innovation strategy (RIS3). Prognos is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the strategy.
Prognos supports the CEDIS3 project. The aim is to enable national and regional stakeholders in Turkey to develop and implement viable strategies for smart specialisation.
We evaluated the 185 smart specialisation strategies of the EU regions together with CSIL: A quantitative study for the EU Commission.
On behalf of the Saarland State Chancellery, we have assisted with the update of the Saarland innovation strategy and have prepared the strategy paper, “StrategyPlus 2021–2023".
On behalf of the European Commission, Prognos and partners analysed all the smart specialisation strategies across the EU. The aim was to determine whether the priorities are set wisely.
Partner, Head of EU Services
Project Manager
For the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion (ESPON), we are investigating how regions can work together more effectively to protect the climate.
The Single Market Programme promotes the EU internal market in order to strengthen it, standardise it and make it more competitive. Prognos was involved in the mid-term evaluation of the programme.
We conducted a mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027 on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.
The Peer2Peer communities are a network of representatives from regional and national authorities in all EU Member States. Prognos recently took over the management of the Circular Economy Community.
The Public Sector Loan Facility is an EU financial instrument to ensure a socially just transition to climate neutrality in the regions. Prognos and t33 srl evaluated the instrument.
With the involvement of relevant stakeholders, Prognos and partners developed conclusions for the further development of European structural funding after 2027.
Prognos supports the citizens’ advisory council in incorporating the perspectives of the population into decision-making processes and advises the responsible staff unit of the State Chancellery.
How effectively do the federal states utilise ERDF funding? Prognos supports various federal states with the evaluation of their ERDF programmes.
How effective is EU support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)? On behalf of the European Commission, Prognos evaluated together with CSIL the ERDF funding in the period from 2014 to 2020.
A race to catch up - this is what Europe needs if it is not to be left behind by the USA and China. In the SPIEGEL guest article, Christian Böllhoff calls for a new match plan with clear priorities for the new EU legislative period.
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