Sign language
Background knowledge: Innovation Strategy State of Bremen 2030
The previous political strategies and programs for innovation, industry, and clusters date back to the years 2010 to 2014 and were geared towards the year 2020. It is therefore time for an update considering new developments in economy and society.
For example, service companies are much more in focus than before. They already play a central role in the innovation clusters and are closely interlinked with manufacturing companies. Thus, the Senator for Economic Affairs, Labor and Europe also includes them in the Innovation Strategy 2030, which as an integrated strategy bears the title: “Key to Innovation 2030 - Strategy for Innovation, Services and Industry in the State of Bremen”.
At the same time, it updates the so-called Regional Innovation Strategy for Intelligent Specialization (RIS3) for Bremen. RIS3 serves as a central instrument for the allocation of funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is the basis for funding from the EU Commission in the current period 2014-2020 and will also play an important role in the coming funding period.
Requirements on the part of the EU
The EU Commission calls on the regions to set priorities and use public resources where the greatest impact on the regional economy can be expected. This principle of “intelligent specialization” should be based on a bottom-up approach, a so-called “entrepreneurial discovery process”. These basic principles of the EU Commission are being considered in the creation of the Innovation Strategy State of Bremen 2030.
The strategy development process
In December 2018, a reorientation of Bremen's innovation policy was initiated with the “Position Paper: Keys to Innovation”. One focus lies on so-called key technologies that trigger new developments across many sectors at the same time.
To date, these key technologies include additive manufacturing/3D printing, artificial intelligence/robotics, hydrogen technologies, and biotechnologies.
Key industries in the state of Bremen are: automotive, maritime and logistics, aerospace, regenerative energy, and food and beverages.
Further key industries and technologies will be identified in the course of the strategy development. This is based on a broad concept of innovation, which includes innovative products and technologies as well as innovations in processes, value chains, and business models, and also the social impact of innovations.
Current developments
The strategy development process has been taking place since July 2020 with the support of a team of experts led by the Institute for Innovation and Technology (iit) and PLANKOM. In the inventory, the innovation system of the state of Bremen is comprehensively analyzed, compared with other regions, and its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks are identified.
A broad-based strategy process will begin in October 2020. The results of the analysis will be discussed and fields of action and measures that are particularly promising for the promotion of innovation in Bremen will be identified.
In the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process from the beginning of 2020, companies and start-ups, research and higher education institutions, as well as policymakers will jointly define the focal points for future innovation processes. In the spirit of “intelligent specialization”, these will be bundled into a limited number of “key innovation fields”.
Once completed, the updated RIS3 innovation strategy for the State of Bremen 2030 will form the basis for European structural funding in the coming funding period 2021 - 2027.
