FP6-INNOV RIS-MAZOVIA

1 June 2005 started the project RIS-MAZOVIA coordinated by Marshal Office of Mazovieckie Vojevodeship. Partners in the project are:

Warsaw University of Technology – Innovation Transfer Centre: Information Processing Centre hosting the innovation Relay Centre; META Group from Umbria and ZukunfAngenrtur Brandenbourg.

The regions should play an important role in creating an environment conducive to innovation, which helps the regional enterprises, mainly the SMEs, to become more innovative and technology-oriented. The attention of the project team will be impartially directed to the SMEs, creating an integrated system connecting university, research, capital markets (and DFI) with regional needs. New business initiatives will be supported (start-ups, spin-off and spin-out). Modernization of small farms and related industries will be pursued.

The core of the present project is one of formulating a solid innovation policy and plan for the region of Mazovia. In addition to the plan itself the project will support the creation and implementation of pilot innovation programmes to be put in place, monitored and evaluated during project period. The members of the partnership expect to achieve these general aims by using the experience and knowledge available within the consortium itself, and by inviting renowned experts in aspects and actions related to the RIS/RITTS programmes.

Bearing this in mind, the project aims in the first instance to enhance the learning process and the transfer of knowledge and experience, mainly in those aspects related to innovation policies to people, institutions and companies in the involved region. This should lead directly to the enhancement of the absorption capacity of EU funding. Furthermore the planning, testing, implementation and monitoring of (short and long term) pilot actions created with the support of experienced regions and international innovation experts will provide the basis of bringing the overall plan into reality. This will ensure the continuation of the promotion and support of innovation related actions and policies in the Region of Mazovia. The specific objectives of the project are:

To build consensus around the RIS MAZOVIA strategic objectives, the work programme and the chosen methodology
Small and medium sized companies, intermediary organisations, research organisations including universities and local governments, will be made aware of the scope of the project and will be asked to actively participate in the various phases and to appoint representation in the Steering Committee.
To establish guidelines and a list of services for SMEs “one-stop-shop” (a regional support system based on regional needs)
In the stage 0 specific consensus should be achieved among the identified existing support networks to integrate their activities in the innovation support system named one-stop-shop. The unit of this system will be located strategically all around the region and will offer the same portfolio of services as that delivered to SMEs through ad-hoc agencies. They will be all supervised and coordinated by the Marshal Office. Within the RIS MAZOVIA standards, procedures and materials for the services will be prepared.
To improve the exploitation of research and university potentials in the business sector
To develop joint activities among the innovation supply actors in the development of the main objectives the strategy and the action plan should be aimed to meet the innovation needs of SMEs. Training of the working force will be given special attention. Enterprise incubators and industrial parks will function as a means of creating new opportunities by the use of existing resources.
To develop a mechanism of know-how transference between EU partner regions (Umbria, Brandenburg) and the implementing region (Mazovia)
The regions of Umbria and Brandenburg will help the RIS MAZOVIA to be effective with the transfer of their experiences, knowledge, tools and the analysis of case studies, success and failure stories. It will be also set up of a human and virtual network in order to ensure further co-operation with other EU regions.
To provide a dynamic institutional framework for an efficient use of national and EU funds
The RIS MAZOVIA project will enhance the capacity of SMEs to use various national and EU funds available to Mazovia in nearest future, by the availability of continuous support in stimulation and preparation of high quality project proposals.

The RIS MAZOVIA will define specific measures to promote innovation across key sectors in the region. The focus will be on the diffusion of the use of technology by incumbent firms and creating new ones from the exploitation of indigenous knowledge and research results. The strategy and action plan will be realistic, taking into account all the available resources and existing constraints. Detailed action lines, budget, timing, financial sources and means will be established.

Expected results

When RIS MAZOVIA will be completed we expect to achieve the following results:

A comprehensive analysis and description of the regional innovation system showing the most active and innovative sectors and companies as well as the supply side: universities, research centres, intermediary organisations and local governments.
Guidelines and a list of services for a ONE-STOP-SHOP support system for SMEs and potential entrepreneurs; this system will exploit human and financial resources of public, private, innovation-research and business sectors.
Training on entrepreneurship guidelines for universities/colleges. A list of steps for starting-up the organization structure for an integrated system of relationships among universities, industry and regional government. This will also include business incubators and accelerators.
A strategic plan with a clear set of objectives and strategies (including the agricultural sector modernization).
An agreed and detailed Action Plan, provided the participation of companies and organizations truly committed to its implementation.
An increased level of cooperative activities with the EU nations in the field of innovation and in particular the establishment of an operational and long-lasting co-operation platform among Mazovia, Umbria and Brandenburg regions (suited for a future extension to other European and AC regions).