I3 Discussion Group - Innovation ecosystem management for a better I3 Instrument implementation

Innovation ecosystems embed the concept of quadruple helix (government, business, academic and civil society) that drives the entrepreneurial discovery process at the heart of the S3 concept.  

By connecting innovation ecosystems, the I3 Instrument strengthens the capacity of regional innovation actors—including SMEs, clusters, incubators, and public authorities.  

This involves providing actionable recommendations and proposing new policy approaches around the following questions:

1. What are the key elements of strategic alignment and governance necessary for an effective management of Innovation ecosystem for a good promotion and implementation of the I3 instrument?

• What governance models or coordination mechanisms are most effective for managing interregional innovation ecosystems, especially when involving multiple regions with varying levels of development?   

• What type of coordinating body would be useful to effectively manage an ecosystem Which organisation could supervise it?   

• How could each region define its optimal governance and management model, adapted to its institutional structure and political autonomy?   

2. How can stakeholders from the Quadruple Helix better contribute to the design of a shared ecosystem management that leads to effective promotion and implementation of the I3 instrument?

• How can clusters, interregional networks, and civil society be more inclusively and systematically involved in I3 projects, and what roles should they play in ecosystem management?   

• What are best practices for building trust and sustaining engagement among diverse ecosystem actors over the lifecycle of an I3 project?   

• How can knowledge transfer and the sharing of good practices between ecosystems be facilitated to accelerate the market uptake of innovations?   

• How to better engage non-headquartered large corporate subsidiaries part of the regional innovation ecosystem? 

3. How can the ecosystem management contribute to capacity building and support for SMEs through the I3 instrument?

• In what ways can the I3 instrument enhance the integration of SMEs and startups into regional and interregional innovation ecosystems, and what specific support mechanisms are most effective?   

• How can technical assistance, such as support for business model development and regulatory compliance, be better integrated into ecosystem management practices?  

This group brings together 15 members from across EU regions, representing national and regional governments, development agencies, and universities. 

Contact point: For more information, contact Mathieu Doussineau  
doussineau@efiscentre.eu.