Presentation of the FP7 project RAF Regions- Bringing the benefits of research to food SMEs of the regions of Central Macedonia, Puglia and Pazardjik

1. RAF Regions
The RAF Regions project and beyond
Nikos GIANNOULIDIS, Project Coordinator
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 1

2. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Objective and Geographical Scope
Objective: to increase the overall capacity of the Regions
of Central Macedonia (Greece), Puglia (Italy) and
Pazardjik (Bulgaria) in enhancing
science and technology based economic development,
focusing on the AgroFood Sector
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 2

3. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Identifying the Problem
The AgroFood industry is a major manufacturing sector for
the Regions of Central Macedonia (Greece), Puglia
(Italy) and the district of Pazardjik (Bulgaria), and local
economies depend heavily on this for their development
and prosperity
However, the AgroFood sector is slow in the adoption of
new and innovative technologies and the introduction of
suitable research results in their processes
Global competition; new food trends; demand for
innovative food products and processes
Need to facilitate the synthesis of the key players from
AgroFood Research and Industry in the Regions and
accelerate decision making
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 3

4. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Bringing the Benefits
of Research to AgroFood SMEs
To support the development and operation of innovative “Research-
driven Clusters” in the AgroFood sector
To promote synergies between regional and research policies
To enable the Regions to attract more and better RTD investments
To foster RTD cooperation in the AgroFood sector
To assist the AgroFood sector SMEs to adopt new technologies
To mentor and exchange best practices between the partners
To cooperate with relevant projects and initiatives developed in other
European Regions
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 4

5. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Consortium
Greece Italy Bulgaria
Euroconsultants SA
Technology Euroconsultants INNOVA S.p.A.
Bulgaria ASD
Consultants S.A.
Agenzia Regionale per la
Regional Region of Central Tecnologia e District of Pazardjik
Authorities Macedonia l’Innovazione- Regione
Puglia
Federation of Distretto The Bulgarian
SME Industries of Northern Agroalimentare Association of Food
Associations Greece Regionale Scrl and Drink Industry
Institute of Institute of Sciences of
Research Agrobiotechnology, Food Production, Agricultural
Entities Centre for Research & National Research University of Plovdiv
Technology Hellas Council
FP7- Capacities- REGIONS-2007-1, Feb 2008 to July 2010
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 5

6. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Activities and Results
Development of 3 ~130 RTD entities
~50 Food SMEs
AgroFood profiled-
audited- technology
“Research-driven RTD capacities
needs identified
Clusters” identified
Identification of key stakeholders (Agrofood RTD Actors,
Food SMEs, local and regional authorities)
Transfer and take-up of knowledge for the AgroFood Industry
Matching of technology demand and offer
Facilitation of Clustering
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 6

7. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Activities and Results
Identification and critical SWOT Analysis in the 3 Regions
assessment of existing regional and with regards to Food RTD capacity
national RTD policies and and assimilation-
measures for the Food Sector Strategic Orientation Rounds
Policy Insights for the Action Plan
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 7

8. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Activities and Results
Training trips for
3 workshops for SMEs Development of common
exchange
and RTD entities proposals under FP7,
of best practices:
(approx. SEE Programme,
C. Macedonia, Nov ’09
100 participants) MED, etc.
(approx. 25 participants)
Oct- Nov ‘09 (approx. 10 proposals)
Puglia, May ’10
Exploitation of synergies, mutual learning
and networking for AgroFood SMEs and RTD entities
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 8

9. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Activities and Results
Joint Action Plan for Agrofood RTD development.
Methodology developed, main lines drafted.
Pending finalisation of measures
to be included in the Action Plan
Facilitation of efficient programming of EU funding
(Structural Funds, FP7, CIP,
Territorial Cooperation Programmes)
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 9

10. RAF Regions
RAF Regions- Activities and Results
www.rafregions.eu, Food Cluster Initiative
“Mind your Food!”
Database of approx. activities (Brussels,
Conference,
200 food entities, Mersin, Wageningen)
Thessaloniki,
regional infodays, Open Days 2008
5- 6 Mar ‘10
brochures, etc. ETP Food for Life
Promotion of international Food RTD cooperation,
clustering and policy formulation
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 10

11. RAF Regions
Beyond RAF Regions
• Political agreement on Green Paper that will provide
suggestions for Food RTD development efforts at a
regional and national level for the next decade
• Continuation of food RTD cooperation at regional and
trans- regional level- FP7
• Integration of more countries and partners in food
clustering efforts- seeking funding from FP7 or
Territorial Cooperation Programmes (EoI at South- East
Europe Programme Dec ‘09)
• Continue participation in the Food Cluster Initiative-
What is Next?
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 11

12. RAF Regions
www.rafregions.eu
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 12

13. RAF Regions
Thank you !
Mr. Nikos GIANNOULIDIS
Tel. +30 2310 804108
N.Giannoulidis@euroconsultants.com.gr
Thessaloniki, 5th March 2010 13