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EU-project RIS BRIDGE – Development of a regional innovation strategy for the South-West Region of Bulgaria to mitigate the differences between the city of Sofia and the surrounding region

The objective of the RIS BRIDGE project was to apply the regional innovation strategy (RIS) approach to the South-West Planning Region of Bulgaria coined by strong discrepancies between the capital city Sofia and the surrounding countryside. The project aimed to bridge the development gap in the region, and to expand innovation towards remote areas and areas lagging behind the economic performance of Sofia. The outcomes are one common regional innovation strategy for the whole South-West Region with two tailored Action Plans for Sofia and the rest of the region.

The foresight methodology was incorporated in the RIS process to facilitate regional consensus building around the strategy development, to supplement the RIS with additional insights on future challenges and global trends, and to work out long-term-oriented policy options and strategic suggestions. The SEZ supported the Bulgarian partners in designing and implementing their foresight process in such a way as to address the specific regional needs and conditions. To facilitate stakeholder commitment and understanding of the whole process, the SEZ informed regional decision-makers, during a workshop in Bulgaria, about its experiences in the execution of foresight processes in other European regions.

In addition, the SEZ advised Bulgarian representatives from the economic promotion agency and administration on good practices in strengthening regional innovation and competitiveness potential. In April 2007, they could learn from experiences and activities of the Baden Württemberg actors such as the Steinbeis network, the Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS), the BIOPRO GmbH and the Competence Centre Mechatronics.

Apart from Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum, the RIS BRIDGE project partners were:

  • Applied Research and Communications Fund, Bulgaria
  • Center for the Study of Democracy, Bulgaria
  • URENIO Research Unit, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Coventry University Enterprises Ltd., West Midlands, UK

Contact:

Sabine Hafner-Zimmermann, Tel. 0711 123 4025
Email: hafner@steinbeis-europa.de