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

Author

Listed:
  • Zenne Hellinga
  • Julia Bachtrögler-Unger
  • Pierre-Alexandre Balland
  • Ron Boschma

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Zenne Hellinga & Julia Bachtrögler-Unger & Pierre-Alexandre Balland & Ron Boschma, 2025. "Beyond the Blueprint. From Smart Specialization Strategies to R&I Funding," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2502, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2502
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    File URL: http://econ.geo.uu.nl/peeg/peeg2502.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philip McCann & Raquel Ortega-Argilés, 2016. "The early experience of smart specialization implementation in EU cohesion policy," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(8), pages 1407-1427, August.
    2. Mewes, Lars & Broekel, Tom, 2022. "Technological complexity and economic growth of regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(8).
    3. Jens Sörvik & Alexander Kleibrink, 2015. "Mapping Innovation Priorities and Specialisation Patterns in Europe," JRC Research Reports JRC95227, Joint Research Centre.
    4. George Papamichail & Alessandro Rosiello & David Wield, 2023. "Addressing Public Policy Implementation Challenges in Lagging Regions Through the Analytical Lens of Smart Specialisation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(1), pages 356-381, March.
    5. Michaela Trippl & Elena Zukauskaite & Adrian Healy, 2020. "Shaping smart specialization: the role of place-specific factors in advanced, intermediate and less-developed European regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(10), pages 1328-1340, October.
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