This document discusses Wallonia's experience with smart specialization strategies (S3) and peer reviews. It outlines Wallonia's progression from developing a regional innovation strategy in 2000-2010 to undergoing peer reviews in 2012-2013. Wallonia is now deepening its S3 focus on areas like innovation, internationalization, and resource efficiency. Peer reviews brought external perspectives but lacked regional context understanding and focus on implementation. Wallonia sees value in exploring complementarities between regions through initiatives like the Vanguard Initiative on advanced manufacturing cooperation. New analysis and policy tools are needed for improved cross-regional implementation of S3 strategies.

1. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Smart Specialisation Strategies
and peer-reviews : the Walloon
perspective
23 April 2015, Brussels Vincent LEPAGE, Director
FP7 SMARTSPEC Thematic Seminar S3

2. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Smart specialisation Strategy In Wallonia :
a continuous process
2000-
2010
• Progressive development of the regional innovation Strategy
• Implementing of clustering policies
2012-
2013
• Peer review exercices : S3 compatibility check (S3 Platform
peer review) + OECD Innovation policy peer review
• Evaluation of policies, Industrial value chains analysis
2014-…
• Deepening the S3 : innovation, internationalisation, SMEs and
creative economy, ressource efficiency
• Clusters always the core of the strategy,
with a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches

3. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
S3 in Wallonia – Axis of deepening
Clusters
Innovation,
KET
Internatio
nalisation
Resource
efficiency
Creative
economy
New
innovative
value chains
Finding
Complementarities
with other regions?
New analysis
needs!

4. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Wallonia experience with peer reviews
(S3 Platform; OECD)
 bringing external and neutral points of views
 bringing new insights about recent policy
developments, pointing to main weaknesses
mix of peers and experts views
 lack of knowledge of the regional context, political
context
 too general, lack of focus on implementation of
recommendations
 difficulty to ensure ownership

5. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Wallonia experience with peer reviews
 Start structured reflection
about the RIS3 of Wallonia
 Kind of “validity check” of our
S3
 Raised ways of improvements
+ potential weaknesses
 Lack of deep preparation from
the peers, reactions “on the
spot”
 Too general and superficial,
lack of structured approach
 No clear indications from the
Commission
 Broad examination of the
policy mix
 but too much focus on R&D
aspects
 Key elements of improvements
+ concrete recommendations
 but sometimes lack of
realism
 Pointed to some best practices
 but difficulty to transpose
them as such
 Lack of ownership (cf. political
context)
S3 Platform (May 2012) OECD Peer review (2011-12)

6. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Wallonia experience with peer reviews
Lessons learned
Timing of the peer review within the policy making cycle
Peer review = part of a broader system (information;
evaluation)
 Impact not observable on a direct way, to be seek on a
longer perspective :
Results used as part of the policy making cycle, in combination
with other analysis, when designing strategy for the new
programming period, the new “Marshall Plan” and for
consolidating the S3 strategy

7. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
New needs emerging
• Exploring complementarities between regions
(rather than similarities) : S3 in a EU context
rather than regional
• Clusters analysis, value chains analysis
(deepening cluster observatory?)
• Focus on implementation : need of cooperation
support tools, new cooperation framework at
EU level  common policy tools, co-
construction approaches (learning by doing?)
• Good experience from the Vanguard Initiative !

8. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Vanguard Initiative
8
• Why? Use Smart specialisation strategies
for boosting new growth through bottom-up
entrepreneurial innovation and industrial renewal
• How? The VI regions support the development of
« Smart Specialisation Platforms » in key growth areas
(EU priorities)
1st area of exploitation : « Advanced Manufacturing »
 Establishment of 3 pilot lines of activities (e.g.: 3D printing)
 Common methodology for industry-led interregional
cooperation:
LEARN – CONNECT – DEMONSTRATE – COMMERCIALISE
 Ultimate goal: full-scale commercialisation

9. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE

10. DIRECTION DE LA POLITIQUE ECONOMIQUE
Thank you for your attention!
More info :
S3 Strategy in Wallonia :
- http://economie.wallonie.be
- http://clusters.wallonie.be
Vanguard Initiative :
- http://www.s3vanguardinitiative.eu
Presentation prepared with the support of
Florence HENNART and Nathalie FALLY (SPW/DGO6)