The SmartDEV project is about innovative ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region. It will focus on the expansion and strengthening of a regional network across the borders.
SmartDEV argues that the EU and the Baltic Sea region’s future economic leadership is under threat. European countries are indeed working to develop their innovative ecosystems, as part of the EU’s policy framework for innovations and economic leadership. However, despite huge amounts of investments, the transnational innovation ecosystems are weak, according to SmartDEV. It notes that previous case studies have shown a weak correlation between investments and results. Therefore, SmartDEV suggests it is necessary to focus on smart investments, and efficient result-oriented innovative ecosystems and that these must consider specific challenges in each country. Moreover, transnational platforms and so-called change agents are needed to connect the innovation ecosystems in the Baltic Sea region. Such platforms would offer access to public, research and business groups for co-creation scale-up and growth.
The SmartDEV project plans to expand and strengthen a previously establish network, as a smart, efficient and motivated environment in the Baltic Sea region. The project will produce a research paper about innovation, co-creation and leadership. Also, it will arrange network strengthening meetings and workshops, and a co-creation workshop.