Project Summary / Objectives

In recent years the great contribution of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to regional economies was recognized. Especially their innovation potential constitutes an important resource within economic regions. However, because of limited access to business networks the ful potential of many SMEs cannot be tapped. To integrate these SMEs, many of them are organised within regional and/ or thematic Competence Centres.

REGINS (REGional standardised Interfaces for a better integration of regional SMEs in the European Economy) is an interregional project that aims to analyse, compare and improve regional thematic clusters as well as supporting network structures within 4 participating European partner regions. Moreover, to foster cooperation between companies of different regions up to 15 common interregional projects will be funded. This will strengthen the ties between thematic clusters of different european clusters and between cluster supporting networks. To secure sustainable inter-regional collaboration an interregional network of institutions supporting networks will be implemented.

As a european Regional Framework Operation (RFO), the whole project is sponsered by the EU. To get more information about Interreg III C projects please see next section.

CSA - Current State Analysis

One objective of REGINS will be a Current State Analysis (CSA) within the participating regions. This includes an evaluation of the way existing thematic clusters work as well as of the support they get by regional supporting networks. Therefore the CSA focuses on clusters of three different branches that are well represented in the participating regions: automotive, biotechnology and logistics.

Once the thematic clusters and supporting networks are analysed - based upon predefined common evaluation procedures - the regional results will be compared. In the next step a good practice guide will be derived from these results containing solutions for both regional and interregional networking. These advices will help to create a cooperation network between the four partner regions. Moreover, all relevant project results will be made available for other European networks and economic regions.

Inter-regional Cooperation projects

In order to foster inter-regional cooperation, up to 15 common subprojects between companies/ institutions of the partner regions will be funded. All cooperation subprojects within the automotive, biotechnology and logistics industries that involve companies or institutions of at least two of the partner regions can be part-financed. This might include research as well as marketing or information projects. The first call for subproject proposals will be released in August 2004. All affected companies within the partner regions are asked to conceive projects and apply for funding. The proposals will be reviewed and assessed by interregional thematic committees. Additionally, the Regional Network Offices (RNO) will also offer assistance in identifying transregional project partners, if necessary.