RAPIDE
RAPIDE (Regional Action Plans for Innovation Development and Enterprise) is a network of European Regions driven by the Innovation agenda, led by the South West of England Regional Development Agency and funded under the EU Regions for Economic Change programme (Interreg IVC). RAPIDE has been identified as a 'fast-track' network by the Commission which means it will help inform the development of future policy on innovation. RAPIDE formally began on 1st September 2008 and will run for 2 years.
RAPIDE will bring together strategic leaders and innovation experts from across the EU to share and capitalise on regional best practice in bringing innovative products and services to the market. There will be a particular focus on the role of the public sector in stimulating innovation. RAPIDE's practical outcome will be Action Plans to steer mainstream programme investment, eg. Convergence and Competitiveness Programmes.
There are a number of critical factors that determine the success and speed of bringing innovation to market. The "Beyond Best Practice" summit held in Cornwall in July 2007 examined the rewards to be derived from a new network. Delegates from 20 regions across Europe, in the presence of Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Huebner, identified three crucial themes. These were:
- managing risk - how to ensure regional public authorities and regional programmes become less risk averse in themselves, and to help companies and innovators manage the risks associated with both the commercialisation of R&D and cultivating a culture of innovation
- finance - how to finance innovation (especially given the higher risk inherent in investing in more innovative products or solutions)
- developing successful partnerships - how effective partnerships between the public, private (a strong dialogue with business) and education sectors play a key role in speeding up the commercialisation of innovation
RAPIDE will seek to make use of existing good practice in the partner regions, and draw on important work and research undertaken to date in this area. It capitalises on extensive and transferable good practice as well as seeking to draw on expertise from both inside the partner regions and outside of the network.
For further information on the RAPIDE project, please consult the RAPIDE website or contact Benjamin Kuscher, RAPIDE project manager.
