Smart Specialisation in Occitanie, France

Smart Specialisation priorities in Occitanie 2014-2020

Occitanie has chosen 7 regional priorities for innovation [3]. They have been defined and selected in 2016 when Occitanie was created as a region, merging Languedoc-Rousillon and Midi-Pyrénées. Previously Languedoc-Rousillon had 7 priorities [4] and Midi-Pyrénées [5] – 6 different ones. The selected priorities reflect some of the previously shared interests (renewable energy, health and aging, digital or smart technologies or systems), while others reflect competencies (aeronautics, water, food) or natural or geographical specificities (marine) of the former regions.

1. ENERGY: Energy transition, including the development of renewable energies and the modernisation of industries (more [FR])
2. WATER: Large and small water cycle, water resource management (more [FR])
3. MARINE: Coastal and marine economy (more [FR])
4. HEALTH: Future healthcare and medical technologies (more [FR])
5. INDUSTRY: Materials and processes for aeronautics and advanced manufacturing (more [FR])
6. FOOD: Local agro-food production and biomass valorisation (more [FR])
7. SMART TECH: Smart systems and digital block-chains (more [FR])

How entrepreneurs and innovators are consulted

In Occitanie, since November 2017 a clear working group system has been established to enable regular consultations with the industries concerned by each of the seven priorities. They are organised around 3-4 co-hosts, two or three of each group being experts from the regional body holding the Smart Specialisation strategy – the Regional Economic Development Agency in Occitanie AD’OCC – while one comes from the regional ecosystem. Regional ecosystem co-hosts represent either the regional clusters (see below), a representatives of an industry leader (Airbus, Pierre Fabre) or higher education institution (Institut Mines-Télécom) established in the region.

Members of the consultation groups are around 40 and include industry, research or innovation leaders, they meet bi-anually for a general meeting, while smaller sub-groups are organised to address particular projects or actions and would meet more regularly. Their mission – reflect on the future and define concrete projects or structural actions needed for the priority – development or business related, around 2-3 per year. Once a year, a strategic management meeting is organised where 2 reporters of each of the priority groups inform of their work.

How to get involved with the local entrepreneurship and innovation actors