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Friends of Smart Specialisation

Acronym: FoSS

General Information

Identification Code: 956924242402-03
Website: [object Object]
Entity Form: None
Registration Category: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar
Registration Date: 4/20/2021
Last Update: 4/15/2024
EP Accredited Number: 0

Mission & Interests

Goals: The Friends of Smart Specialisation (FoSS) is an informal group of independent innovation policy experts, set up in Brussels in 2018. The group’s goal is to enhance the smart specialisation approach as an instrument for strengthening the multi-level European innovation system. The group therefore aspires to be a resource for policy makers and shapers at all levels. In the group’s view, Smart Specialisation is a key feature of multi-level governance of innovation and transformation investments in the EU. Furthermore, efficiency and effectiveness can only be achieved by a synchronisation of priorities. For this to happen, Smart Specialisation provides a decision mechanism in a dynamic context. Thus FoSS considers that smart specialisation policies need to be widened and strengthened across all EU regions.
Interests Represented: Does not represent commercial interests
Interests:
  • Agriculture and rural development
  • Budget
  • Business and industry
  • Climate action
  • Competition
  • Digital economy and society
  • Economy, finance and the euro
  • Education and training
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Institutional affairs
  • Regional policy
  • Research and innovation
Levels of Interest:
  • european
  • national
  • sub-national

Activities

Main EU Legislative Proposals: Friends of Smart Specialisation (FoSS) are in contact with the European Commission on all dossiers relevant for regional research and innovation ecosystems and smart specialisation. Friends of Smart Specialisation are also interested in the overarching policies of the Green Deal and the Digital Agenda with a specific interest in Digital Innovation Hubs. FoSS are also following the EU's Industrial Strategy and support a widening of smart specialisation strategies and more emphasis on place-based innovation strategies. FoSS have also commented on the New Innovation Agenda published in July 2022.
Communication Activities: Friends of Smart Specialisation (FoSS) organised three public workshops in Brussels and Leuven in 2018-2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. FoSS have published a wide range of policy papers and responses to European Commission consultations which can be found on the FoSS website https://friendsofsmartspecialisation.eu/. FoSS organised a side event at the European Week of Regions and Cities in October 2022 https://europa.eu/regions-and-cities/about/nutshell Foss organised 2 on-line side events at the Committee of the Regions EWRC in 2022 and 2023. FoSS is also active in academic terms with participations in global conferences of the Regional Studies Association (RSA) and the European Regional Science Association (ERSA). In January 2024, FoSS participated with a peer reviewed presentation and developing paper in GeoINNO Conference (Geography of Innovation) organised by the RSA and the University of Manchester.
Inter-institutional or Unofficial Groupings: N/A

Head Office

Address: 62, avenue de Visé
Post Code: 1170
City: Brussels
Country: BELGIUM
Phone: [object Object]

EU Office

Address: 62, avenue de Visé
Post Code: 1170
City: Brussels
Country: BELGIUM
Phone: [object Object]

Financial Data

New Organisation: false
Closed Year: [object Object]
Current Year: [object Object]
Complementary Information: FoSS members are retired and use their own resources to fund their activities which are mainly policy influencing papers.

Membership Information

Members10 Percent: 0
Members25 Percent: 1
Members50 Percent: 0
Members75 Percent: 0
Members: 1
Members F T E: 0.25

Structure

Structure Type: Structure
Is Member Of: None
Organisation Members: One of the members is also a member of the following networks - Regional Studies Association (RSA) - Triple Helix Association (THA) - European Policy Centre (EPC) - Centre of European Policy Studies (CEPS) - Club of Rome, EU Chapter