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This technical report contains the findings of action research that was carried out in the Polish region of Lubelskie on the role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the design and implementation of its Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3). It is one of ten case studies undertaken in the project on Higher Education for Smart Specialisation (HESS), an initiative of the Joint Research Centre and DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. The research shows that HEIs in Lubelskie have great potential to contribute to innovation and regional development, with strong and complementary universities as well as research institutions and higher vocational institutions. The overall issue of S3 governance is tackled and shows a good partnership between the Marshal’s Office and the regional HEIs, built on a history of cooperation in developing innovation strategies, which is longer than that of other Polish regions. However, the role of HEIs in implementing S3 is hampered by a lack of targeted instruments in the EU co-financed regional operational programme. In particular, the current situation of subcontracting HEIs by companies for research and innovation projects has not led to their successful mobilisation. As for education, there are several interesting instruments in the relevant national education programme but they are not linked to S3 implementation. In addition to the governance of S3, the action research focused on the role of HEIs in two priority domains, namely the bioeconomy and photonics. It reveals two contrasting approaches to the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, a key element of the Smart Specialisation concept: One relies on technology push by building on the research strengths of the regional HEIs, with the other being led more by the market. Both priorities have a lot to offer the region but appropriate lessons are needed on how to increase their impact and critical mass. Based on the results of this action research specific recommendations are put forward to support the process of revising the Lubelskie S3., JRC.B.3-Territorial Development

Starting in 2015, the European Commission has been working hard with the thematic partnerships helping them to figure out how to go best about initiating and managing interregional thematic S3 partnerships. By preparing this manual, the European Commission is able to document not just the overall methodological journey taken by the thematic partnerships, but also the many good practices observed over the past few years. This manual refers to this combined body of as the thematic S3 approach to interregional partnerships. Qualified partnerships are encouraged to follow this methodology in line with a specific structure (workflow) that takes these new partnerships through a number of steps. This workflow follows an iterative and non-linear process, which can be understood as a dynamic flow of activities that result in living documents and activities that require continuous monitoring and review. This workflow approach is an evolved adaptation of the 4-step approach defined by the Vanguard Initiative. In addition to the 4 steps defined by the Vanguard Initiative, the current approach adds 'Scale-Up' as an additional step. In addition, the approach described in this manual includes a further layer of outcomes expected throughout the overall process. Even if some formalised outcomes are likely to be associated with specific phases, many of these go well beyond the boundaries of any one phase. Chapters of this manual will follow the logic of this 5-phase workflow approach. Chapter 1 is built around the Learn phase with Chapter 2 focusing on the Connect phase. Phases 3, 4 and 5 are not covered in the current version of this methodological manual. Putting in place a solid monitoring and evaluation mechanism (MEM) can prove to be an important tool in the development of every thematic partnership. In addition to being able to assess its own progress or challenges, such a solid MEM helps each partnership validate its earlier decisions and actions while keeping an eye on the overall effectiveness of its governance structure. To help interested partnerships monitor their progress, the S3 Platform proposes a simple yet comprehensive evaluation framework that covers the entire workflow in line with the thematic approach to S3 described in this Manual. Preparation and management of interregional S3 projects may appear challenging at first. However, breaking the task into a series of defined steps and processes (many of which also apply to traditional collaborative projects) can greatly simplify it (see Figure 1). Equally, public authorities in any one region cannot be expected to have all the necessary resources in-house; legal, technical, financial, environmental, and other advisers are frequently used throughout the process. The challenge is to select the right advisers across partner regions and to manage them effectively., JRC.B.3-Territorial Development

Smart Specialisation represents the most comprehensive industrial policy experiment being implemented in Europe. Conceived within the reformed Cohesion policy of the European Commission, Smart Specialisation is a place-based policy promoting economic transformation and investment in innovative activities in selected areas of the socio-economic system in order to achieve a smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. Drawing on empirical evidence, the Smart Specialisation Implementation Handbook is targeted at policy-makers and regional development professionals who are crafting their innovation policy according to a common set of principles and methodologies. The handbook aims at taking stock of the Smart Specialisation experience and presenting its current state of the art, both in terms of conceptual developments and practical implementation. It addresses five key milestones of the implementation process: 1) The Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) cycle: from priority selection to strategy implementation 2) Good governance: principles and challenges 3) From priorities to projects: selection criteria and selection process 4) Transnational cooperation and value chains 5) Monitoring, JRC.B.3-Territorial Development

Smart Specialisation represents the most comprehensive industrial policy experiment being implemented in Europe. Conceived within the reformed Cohesion policy of the European Commission, Smart Specialisation is a place-based policy promoting economic transformation and investment in innovative activities in selected areas of the socio-economic system in order to achieve a smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. Drawing on empirical evidence, the Smart Specialisation Implementation Handbook is targeted at policy-makers and regional development professionals who are crafting their innovation policy according to a common set of principles and methodologies. The handbook aims at taking stock of the Smart Specialisation experience and presenting its current state of the art, both in terms of conceptual developments and practical implementation. It addresses five key milestones of the implementation process: 1) The Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) cycle: from priority selection to strategy implementation 2) Good governance: principles and challenges 3) From priorities to projects: selection criteria and selection process 4) Transnational cooperation and value chains 5) Monitoring, JRC.B.3-Territorial Development