For the 2014 to 2020 funding period, the European Commission for the first time established so-called ex-ante conditionalities for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds). They were introduced to ensure the necessary conditions for the effective and efficient use of the ESI Funds. Compliance provided the framework for the approval of the Operational Programmes of the Euro-pean Regional Development Fund (ERDF). One of the ex-ante conditionalities that the federal states (Bundesländer) had to fulfil was the submission of their own regional research and innovation strategy for smart specialisation (RIS3 strategy). These strategies contain strategic goals, measures as well as fields of specialisation to be prioritised in the context of regional R&I funding via the ERDF and beyond. The ex-ante conditionality to RIS3 not only led to a strategic further development of innovation policies in the federal states, but also strengthened the institutional anchoring of the developed RIS3 strategies. "In many federal states, technology- or theme-open funding continues to be the focus of many funding measures. But in more and more federal states, good examples of funding tailored to certain fields of specialisation can be identified," says study director and head of Prognos AG's Brussels office, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer. Success factors and challenges Continuous dialogue between stakeholders, good involvement and effective management by involved cluster initiatives as well as RIS3's own monitoring were crucial for a successful implementation of the strategies. Challenges included interministerial coordination as well as changing departmental responsibilities, the application of the planned governance structures, implementing RIS3 through funding calls and maintaining long-term commitment from external stakeholders. Determining the results The results of the study are based on all 15 RIS3 strategies of the German federal states that were prepared for the ERDF funding period 2014 to 2020. Not only the strategic orientation and implementation of the RIS3 strategies in the federal states were identified, but also how well the German regions coordinate their smart specialisation strategies and how well they cooperate. In addition to a comprehensive document analysis based on the existing RIS3 strategies and supplementary documents (evaluations, monitoring reports, etc.), interviews with the responsible ministries in the federal states from 2016 and 2020 were used for the assessment. In addition, the current study builds on the results of the predecessor study "Status quo of the Regional Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the Länder", which was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in 2016. Outlook and recommendations for action Based on the challenges identified and the success factors, recommendations for RIS3 strategies for the years 2021 to 2027 were developed. These include the use of transformation roadmaps to optimise implementation processes, more holistic communication about the RIS3 strategies, the further development of funding instruments with a view to the fields of specialisation, and the improvement of specific governance structures. At the federal level, the complementarity and coherence of regional innovation funding should be further strengthened and supraregional as well as international forms of cooperation and networking should be promoted in connection with the RIS3 strategies. Also at the European level further promotion of research and innovation and more intensive cooperation in the area of smart specialisation as well as cluster promotion are desirable. Go directly to the study (European Commission website, PDF, 164 pages, in German) To the previous study from 2017 (in German) Authors: Dr Jan-Philpp Kramer, Janosch Nellen, Janis Neufeld, Neysan Khabirpour, Marie-Kristin Komendzinski, Dr Friedemann Koll, Dr Jonathan Eberle Our work on this topic Take a look at our latest projects and activities. Electricity grid expansion makes headway 2020 | Project For over 15 years now Prognos has been bringing together the actors concerned by the expansion of the electricity grid and facilitating dialogue between them – from the Danish to the Swiss bor-der. Read more Support for the Just Transition Platform 2024 | Project Through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), the EU supports the member states and regions in achieving their climate targets in a fair manner. Prognos provided the JTP with in-depth analyses and knowledge management. Read more Innovation Index Germany 2023 2024 | Project Once again, Prognos has compiled the Innovation Index Germany on behalf of the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. The index quantifies the impact the expansion of Germany’s digital infrastructure has had on its innovation strength. Read more EU Clusters Talk 21. February 2024 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Prognos Head of EU Services, on behalf of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform speaks about cluster policies in the EU at the EU Clusters Talk. Read more Status Report on the German Recycling Economy 2024 2024 | Project The 2024 Status Report gives a comprehensive picture of the whole Recycling Economy sector and its future challenges. Read more Alternative transport scenario for Germany 2024 | Project Environmental organisations have tasked Prognos with adapting selected assumptions from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure transport forecasts to facilitate climate-friendly transport development. Read more Green light for the Rhineland-Palatinate Innovation Agency 2023 | Project The Rhineland-Palatinate Innovation Agency was co-developed by Prognos in 2022. Prognos has continued to support the innovation agency throughout the start of its operational work. Read more Regional purchasing power of pensions 2023 | Project Where in Germany is retirement particularly cheap and where has it become more expensive than average? Prognos examined this for the German Insurance Industry Association. Read more Indicators of equal living conditions ongoing | Project The establishment of equal living conditions in Germany is one of the goals being prioritised by the Federal Government. But how can the equivalence of living conditions be measured? Prognos develops a set of indicators. Read more Dossier: The role of clusters in regional transformation processes 2023 | Project update The dossier, which was created as part of the NRW.innovativ competence centre, highlights the role that cluster organisations play in the digital and green transformation in NRW. Read more Official start: Ten regions receive technical assistance from the EU 2023 | Project update Within the Harnessing Talent Platform, the European Commission has selected ten regions to receive technical assistance for securing skilled workers. Read more The potential of smart specialisation strategies 2023 | Project In collaboration with Prof. Dominique Foray, Prognos compiled a policy brief identifying the potential of smart specialisation strategies for driving forward structural transformation. Read more Communication support for the building of the 380 kV West Coast Line 2023 | Project The extension of the energy network lays the foundation for the energy transition. Since 2019, Prognos has been supporting transmission system operator TenneT TSO GmbH with their project communication concerning the establishment of the new West Coast transmission line in Schleswig-Holstein. Read more Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) Conference 8. - 9. November 2023 | Event Hanne Hagedorn and Vera Wechner are participating in the first General Conference of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). This conference, organized by the European Commission, serves as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on how cities, regions, and their partners across Europe are already harnessing all the energy and ideas to promote the transition to a circular economy and stimulate social innovation. Read more The Circular Week 2023 24. - 25. October 2023 | Event From October 24th to 25th, Hanne Hagedorn will be in Warsaw for the Green Economy Network.NRW as part of the Circular Economy Week 2023. Read more Implementation of the European Green Deal through EU cohesion policy ongoing | Project The EU’s C4T platform supports structurally weak regions in their transition to a carbon-free and resilient Europe. In this context, Prognos is responsible for establishing a scientific forum. Read more Securing skilled workers with the help of the Harnessing Talent Platform ongoing | Project DG Regio's new platform aims to help EU regions develop strategies to attract talent. Prognos is, among other things, leading the knowledge generation. Read more ERDF and Cohesion Fund monitoring data merged at EU level 2022 | Project The monitoring systems of the EU Member States provide reliable data. A database on all funded projects now enables an analysis at EU level. Read more Green electricity atlas Project What do the targets of the Renewable Energy Sources Act mean for the German regions? The Prognos Energieatlas shows the availability of green electricity – in all 400 districts and independent cities. Read more Clusters as boosters of regional development in Skåne 2023 | Project Clusters can function as a stimulus for innovation in industrial ecosystems. This is shown by a European Union’s European Cluster Collaboration Platform impulse paper that uses the Swedish coastal region of Skåne as a case study. Read more EU monitoring framework: Economic aspects of the circular economy 2023 | Project Prognos was commissioned to develop a methodological framework for the collection of economic data on the circular economy, climate change and bioeconomy and its regular automated processing. Read more A sustainable approach to raw materials in Eastern and Northern Finland 2023 | Project The services sector in this region is growing and is considered exceptionally innovative within the EU. Our input paper for a “Clusters meet Regions” event. Read more Efficient use of EU funding in Germany and France ongoing | Project The European Commission has commissioned an examination of the embedding of EU-funded financial instruments for regional development in Germany and France. Prognos is part of the study team. Read more Green Economy in Munich: Developments and potential 2023 | Project The green economy is an important economic factor for the city of Munich and its surrounding area. On behalf of the Bavarian capital, Prognos analysed the current situation and the development perspectives for the sector. Read more Ressource efficiency in Bavaria ongoing | Project Efforts to reduce the consumption of resources in the Bavarian economy must be increased. A Prognos study provides information on the status quo and the starting points for savings. Read more Cluster collaboration between the EU and Africa 2023 | Project Cooperation between the EU and Africa, which has intensified since 2000, warrants increased momentum. Prognos examined trade flows between the EU and South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya as well as the potential for further cooperation through cluster organisations. Read more Strengthening trade relations with Ukraine 2023 | Project “Clusters meet Regions” – Prognos examined trade relations between EU member states and Ukraine as well as potential for further cooperation. Read more Cluster Collaboration Lab Lund 2023 | Project Innovative business models for the future – this was the focus of the second edition of the Cluster Collaboration Lab in Lund, Sweden. Prognos provided the input paper for this interactive workshop. Read more DG REGIO – Evaluation of the European Green Deal ongoing | Project How effective has the EU cohesion policy been in driving green change in Europe? This and other questions are being investigated jointly with COWI, Milieu, and CSIL, on behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO). Read more Follow-up study on smart specialisation strategies in the EU 2023 | Project We evaluated the 185 smart specialisation strategies of the EU regions together with CSIL: A quantitative study for the EU Commission. Read more KreativLand Baden-Württemberg ongoing | Project Creatives in the countryside? We want to make creative potential and innovative impulses visible. To this end, we are supporting the KreativLand Baden-Württemberg model project, as a scientific partner. Read more Increased climate benefits thanks to European waste management 2022 | Project What contribution does European waste management make to achieving the Paris climate agreement goals? Read more Innovation strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region 2022 | Project Innovation is more and more frequently emerging across regions and industries. Together with IMP³ROVE, we developed a strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (MRH) including out-standing innovation projects. Read more Cost model for the disposal of single-use plastics 2022 | Project Manufacturers will have to pay the costs of collecting and disposing of single-use plastic products through a special levy. We developed a cost model for the Federal Environment Agency. Read more Clusters as drivers of regional development – Silesia 2022 | Project The third “Clusters meet Regions” event was dedicated to the Polish region of Silesia. An input paper for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. Read more Innovation Index Germany 2022 2022 | Project How does the expansion of the digital infrastructure affect regional innovation strength? The IID.2022 provides clarification. Read more EU clusters and value chains with Singapore 2022 | Project Singapore and the EU seek to intensify their relations through targeted cluster-based cooperation. Prognos analysed the potential for future cooperation. Read more Munich’s Logistics Concept ongoing | Project How can logistics transport in Munich be structured more considerately and sustainably? Together with KE Consult and SSP Consult we develop a logistics concept. Read more Zero Waste Concept Munich 2022 | Project We supported the Wuppertal Institute in the development of the Zero Waste Concept Munich for Munich’s waste management services (AWM). Read more Findings from the cluster dialogues: The NRW cluster panorama 2022 | Project update The NRW Cluster Panorama defines five subject areas in which the greatest potential for the innovation ecosystem in NRW lies. Read more Evolving Regions ongoing | Project How can climate adaptation measures be implemented more effectively in regional processes? Prognos is conducting research as part of the EU-funded "Evolving Regions" project with six part-ners. Read more ADAC Mobility Index ongoing | Project Transport demand is continuing to rise and there are various causes for this. But how can the consequences be managed and mobility be made sustainable? A science- and data-based as-sessment method. Read more Circular economy potential for rural development 2022 | Project Equal living conditions in the city and in the country are a federal government goal. We are looking into how the circular economy can contribute to this for the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB). Read more Cluster as motor for regional development in Andalusia 2022 | Project Clusters can support the implementation of the regional economic strategy. This is shown by an input paper from the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, taking Andalusia as an example. Read more Clusters as drivers of regional development – Lithuania 2022 | Project Our input paper for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform’s second “Clusters meet Re-gions” event, presents the cluster landscape of Lithuania. Read more Accompanying the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative ongoing | Project The CCRI focuses on the implementation of a circular economy in European cities and regions. Prognos is supporting the initiative as a project partner in the associated Coordination and Support Office. Read more Economic assessment of the development of Bremerhaven’s shipyard quarter 2022 | Project The shipyard quarter in Bremerhaven is to be given a new lease of life. Prognos will analyse the medium- to long-term regional economic effects of the transformation of the district. Read more Further development of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform ongoing | Project The aim of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) is to strengthen the European economy through cooperation. Together with our partners, we are developing the ECCP into a single point of contact for cluster organisations in Europe. Read more Monitoring Schleswig-Holstein’s regional innovation strategy ongoing | Project On behalf of the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Economics, we are supporting the continuation of the innovation strategy RIS3.SH in the 2021 – 2027 funding period with strategic monitoring. Read more Saarland StrategyPlus 2021-2023 2022 | Project 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". Read more Adobe Stock - CleverStock About us Prognos – Providing Orientation. Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound. Learn more