Support to the development of the interregional S3 Energy partnerships

Following the support provided to the Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy) in 2017 and early 2018, IDEA Consult experts were asked by the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre of the European Commission to provide additional targeted support to the partnerships on Bioenergy, Smart Grids and Sustainable Buildings. These partnerships had progressed towards the identification of potential pilot projects / demo cases, and support for the development and advancement of these pilot projects / demo cases ideas was provided, together with support at the partnership level as needed.

Support for the pilot development included specific follow-up with the regional stakeholders towards their interest and engagement in the various proposed pilot areas as well as the targeted support to the lead regions of the pilot projects in view of their development. The targeted support for the pilot project included, among others, the development of a draft concept note, draft communication material and the identification of relevant funding opportunities at European level for the specific demo cases and their thematic focal points. Support at the level of the partnership included engagement with the partnership lead regions, the development of a communication flyer about the partnership, updating of the scoping note as well as the engagement of newly joining regions at partnership level, among others. In conclusion of this support a final report was prepared including information on the status, progress and next steps for the demo case development. The results were presented by the regional representatives during the Sustainable Energy Week in June 2018.