WIRE 2014 Conference of the Greek Presidency of the EU, organized by the National Documentation Center and the European Commission, in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Research and Technology
The International Conference “Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE V) WIRE 2014” (www.wire2014.eu), the most important European forum for dialogue on Regional Strategies, Innovation & Development, takes place in Athens (Aegli Zappeiou) on 12 and 13 June 2014. The WIRE 2014 (Week of Innovative Regions in Europe) is organized by the National Documentation Centre (EKT) and the European Commission, in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, in the context of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the presence of the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
The conference, now in its fifth year, has established itself as the public debate on new regional development policies and programmes. In 2014, it coincides with the launch of the European research and innovation programme “Horizon 2020” and the new European Structural and Investment Funds, and highlights tools and good practices for the effective implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies in Europe’s regions.
The conference covers the following thematic areas:
a) European Funding for Regional Development in the period 2014-2020: From planning to effective implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy – Regional Policies for Competitive Enterprises – Research & Entrepreneurship in European Territorial Cooperation,
b) Scientific Excellence and Knowledge Exploitation for Regional Development: Public Open Data for Regional Innovation – Indicators & Tools for the Evaluation of Regional Strategies – Reuse of Knowledge in Smart Specialization Strategies and Entrepreneurship.
The conference is attended by high-ranking officials from the European Commission, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank, as well as those responsible for managing Structural Funds and Operational Programs, regional associations, local government organizations, development organizations, technology transfer organizations, bodies involved in mapping indicators for research, researchers, entrepreneurs, business associations, clusters, etc.
The Conference highlights scientific excellence and the reuse of knowledge as a means to unleash the innovation potential in regions, as well as the need for systematic recording of research activity, through indicators, for effective governance.
At the same time, it presents good practices for the exploitation of policies/programmes aimed at reducing the innovation gap in Europe's regions, the alignment of national and European strategies, the coordination of research and cohesion policies. Proposals will also be published for the reuse of knowledge, aiming at scientifically based regional innovation strategies.
The language of the conference is English. Participation in the Conference is free, but online registration is required at https://www.wire2014.eu/registration-form/. The Conference program and more information are available at www.wire2014.eu
The Conference hashtag is #WIRE2014eubeannounced on the WIRE2014 Social Media pages (www.wire2014.eu/social-media).
Information – Contact: wire2014@ekt.gr
