The 2014-2020 Smart Specialization Strategy Conference begins today

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Energy, and Materials & Raw Materials are the topics under discussion at the first Strategic Reflection Day, as part of the work to define the national and regional research and innovation strategy (2014-2020), which will identify areas in which the regions and the country have scientific and economic advantages, responding to societal challenges.

Organized in partnership by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the Institute for Support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Innovation (IAPMEI), the Innovation Agency (AdI), and COMPETE (Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors), the event takes place today at ISEG and will be attended by key players in the context of national Development & Research and Innovation: higher education institutions, research centers, companies, state laboratories, professional and sectoral associations, and directorates-general or interface bodies.

The Strategic Reflection Days aim to work together with these actors to:

• Identify the potential of each journey's theme/area as a priority for the National Research and Innovation Strategy;
• Define the vision and challenges for the next seven years (2014-2020), particularly in the topic/area under discussion;
• Discuss public policy instruments and measures needed to address identified market, institutional, or regulatory failures.

The topics covered during this conference fall under the theme of Cross-cutting Technologies, one of five themes identified for the Strategic Conferences to be held in October and November. The other themes are: Industries and Production Technologies, Mobility, Space and Logistics, Natural Resources and the Environment, and Health, Well-being, and Territory. A report will be produced for each conference, explaining the relevance of the theme and expectations for development by 2020.

The Smart Specialization Strategy for research and innovation is a prerequisite for more effective and efficient use of Structural Funds in the next programming period. The national vision for 2020 also states that the Portuguese economy must become more competitive, creative, and internationalized by strengthening research and innovation capacities and increasing synergies between public and private investment.