Innovation in the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region

Smart Specialisation supports regions in their innovation strategies, boosting growth and prosperity. It is associated with European Cohesion policy, which aims to correct imbalances between regions and countries. In the past few years, the concept of Smart Specialisation has spread beyond EU borders, inspiring countries and regions around the world - specifically in the EU Enlargement and EU Neighbourhood regions (Western Balkan Countries, Eastern Partnership, Türkiye and Tunisia).   

Smart Specialisation doesn't only give impetus to localised innovation policies - it is also relevant in contributing to the international agenda on sustainable development. In this respect, Smart Specialisation is an enabling methodology to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. 

EU Enlargement  

The EU's enlargement policy deals with countries aspiring to become European Union members

Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) are an expression of sound innovation policies and as such are of interest not only to EU member states, but also to candidate countries willing to improve their innovation ecosystems. To support participatory and evidence-based processes in these countries, the JRC supports the early preparatory phases of the development of research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation . 

EU Neighbourhood 

Working with southern and eastern neighbours of the EU to achieve the closest possible political association and the greatest possible degree of economic integration

The EU works closely with its eastern and southern neighbours, aiming to achieve the closest possible political association and the greatest possible degree of economic integration. This goal builds on common interests and on values such as democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and social and territorial cohesion.    

The S3 Framework for the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region

The Smart Specialisation Framework for EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region (S3 Framework) has been developed by the JRC in cooperation with partner countries, international experts and policy directorates of the European Commission.  

The application of this EU-made innovation policy concept will allow EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood countries and economies to promote knowledge-based economic development and targeted research and innovation policies building on territorial specificities, unique potentials and emerging niches.   

The S3 Framework operationalises the guidance offered to EU Member States into a set of practical steps, but also adapts and adjusts the approach to suit non-EU countries.   

Starting from the first phase of institutional capacity building (decision to start S3 Process) to the second institutional capacity building (analysis of the strategic mandates), it continues with the mapping phases through diagnosis steps 3 (quantitative mapping) and 4 (qualitative mapping). The next steps are engaging in stakeholder dialogue, developing institutional capacity for implementation and, finally, drafting the strategy (see figure below). 

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