This report analyses trends in innovation systems across different types of EU regions. It is a central deliverable of the RIM project (http://www.rim-europa.eu) aiming at disseminating most up-to-date information about trends in regional innovation policy and lessons learned from the practical implementation of support measures. The analysis will contribute to establishing a better understanding about both common and region-specific challenges as well as the strategies and policies planned and adopted in response to them.

Last year’s RIM Annual report (2010) underlined that the processes of innovation governance could not be assessed as fairly effective and that administrative capacity building had to catch-up with the process of devolution. Moreover, the focus of regional innovation policies raised some issues of concern, in particular because policies were to a large extent focused on a supply-side approach and there was evidence of a too generic imitation of cluster policies across Europe. Finally, it highlighted that in the upcoming era of budgetary restraint, generic and all-inclusive approaches would most likely not be sustainable.

Source: http://www.rim-europa.eu/?q=p.showFeed&t=news&n=16007