Beyond the Blueprint. From Smart Specialization Strategies to R&I Funding

Zenne Hellinga, Julia Bachtrögler-Unger, Pierre-Alexandre Balland and Ron Boschma ()
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Julia Bachtrögler

No 2502, Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) from Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography

Abstract: The Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) is a cornerstone of the EU’s Cohesion Policy, with over €61 billion allocated for Research & Innovation from 2014 to 2020. This paper explores the prioritization of technological domains within regional S3 strategies and their influence on funding allocation of the European Regional Development Fund. Our findings indicate that while regions select a broad range of S3 priorities, they tend to prioritize those more related to their existing technological capabilities. This is particularly true for less developed andtransition regions. The lack of selectivity in S3 strategies appears to be mitigated when these priorities are converted into funding allocations. There we observe that funding allocation appears to align more closely with regional capabilities than initial S3 priorities. We also find that, although the complexity of technologies is somewhat considered in selecting S3 priorities, it seems to gain importance when regions dedicate their funding to specific R&I projects.

Date: 2025-02, Revised 2025-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eec, nep-geo, nep-ino, nep-ppm, nep-sbm, nep-tid and nep-ure
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:egu:wpaper:2502

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