EU-project GAL-EDGE - Developing a regional innovation strategy and supporting technology transfer in the Upper Galilee region
The Upper Galilee region is the easternmost region of Israel and despite its marginality home to successful research and training institutes as well as innovative enterprises. GAL-EDGE (Galilee Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises RIS Programme) aims at enhancing linkages between the existing structures and with Europe to strengthen regional competitiveness and to activate investments in the region.
The Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, together with partners from Estonia and Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), supported the development and implementation of the regional innovation strategy for the Upper Galilee region. Thereby the Baden-Württemberg region served as a pool of good practices and examples, which were demonstrated to Israeli study groups during regular visits. Their focus was primarily on successful approaches to supporting women entrepreneurship, regional clusters and competence centres as well as on effective regional decision-making structures and processes. The Stuttgart region with its Regional Assembly and the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) exemplified the Israeli partners how to join forces in the region to be able to act as a counterpart to other national interests. The establishment of an innovation centre as an advisory body for enterprises and research entities, similarly to the Steinbeis-Foundation for Economic Promotion, was another goal of the project.
In 2007, the project activities focused on a concluding assessment of the regional innovation strategy and forwarding concrete project proposals to regional policy- and decision-makers. An annual project meeting was held in the permanent representation of the Baden-Württemberg region in Brussels, which involved participation of the Ministry for Economic Affaires representatives.
Contact:
Dr.-Ing. Petra Püchner, Tel. 0711 123 4012
Email: puechner@steinbeis-europa.de