NorthNorthern ern Hungary Hungary on the way of on the way of change…change…

Dénes ANTALDénes ANTALRegional Development Agency of Northern HungaryRegional Development Agency of Northern Hungary

NorthNorthernern Hungary Hungary

- consists of the counties of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves and Nógrád

- settlement network: smaller populations than the national average, with predominantly small villages in some areas

- the third most populous provincial city, Miskolc, is located in this region

- rich in natural resources and minerals the basis for the traditional heavy industry

- now various industrial structures, and all branches of manufacturing are present in the region

- chemical (2 biggest chemical conglomerates)

- metallurgy and metal processing

- mechanical engineering industries

- electricity

- food industries

- Underdeveloped transport infrastructure

General aspectsGeneral aspects

structural crisis of heavy industry About one quarter of the country’s unemployed

population is to be found heree the activity ratio remains below 50%, while the most recent

figures suggest unemployment has fallen slightly, to 9.8% Characterised by the dominance of SMEs. Rich in natural attractions: highest mountains in Hungary,

vineyards, wine production, national parks... 150,000 hectares of fallow land Educational/research institutions:

University of Miskolc (with approx. 20.000 students) College of Róbert Károly (Agricultural College)

General aspectsGeneral aspects

,

123

4

5

6

7

Bpp

.: 1,51,29

0,36

0,2

0,41

0,23338

0,64

0,6555

R&D Expenditure in percentage of GDP

(2004)

Regional Innovation Agency Regional Innovation Agency of Northern Hungaryof Northern Hungary

Consists of 5 consortium partners

(NORDA, University of Miskolc, Bay Zoltán Institute of Applied Research, North Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Innocenter Non-Profit Organisation)

Aims at giving an impetus to innovation by managing and coordinating Structural Funds

Its objectives include enhancing the innovation potential of the region

Conceives the innovation strategy of the region (national, transnational)

Defines the regional priorities of the National Innovation Fund Takes part in the management of various Calls for Proposals in the

field of innovation

Mid – Term Development Mid – Term Development Plan Plan oof f tthe Northhe Northernern Hungarian RegionHungarian Region (2007-(2007-2013)2013)

Or Northern Hungary as a techno regionOr Northern Hungary as a techno region

Priorities and related complex Priorities and related complex regional programmesregional programmes

I. Creating a Competitive Economy (Techno – Region) Programme

II. Building Up a Regional Tourist Network, Together with the Region of Northern Great Plain

III. Providing the Conditions of Quality Life and the Integrated Development of Linked Settlements

Components:I.1.Establishing integrated supply networks in the key – industries

of the region „Mecha – Tronics” (Mechanics + Electronics)Chemical Industry

I.2. Creative industry

I.3. Introducing environmental industry

I.4. Developing a regional „Knowledge – based centre”

I.5. Establishing a regional logistics network system

I.6. Promoting business – aid services Risk – capital programmeBusiness – angel servicesConsultative network system

I.I. Creating Competitive Economy Creating Competitive Economy (Techno – Region) Programme(Techno – Region) Programme

Creating Energy Clusters Across Europe

(CENCE)

(Dec. 2005-May 2008)

Project summary

Activate cooperation between European Energy Clusters by establishing a cooperative learning platform that facilitates the promotion of entrepreneurial innovation.

Pointing out a new concept of clustering, building new cooperation relationships between the most promising and developed EU energy clusters.

•LEARNING

•NETWORKING

•COOPERATION

Project partners

1. CLUSTER DE ENERGIA (Spain)

2. Environmental Cluster Greater Peterborough &East of England (UK)

3. OEC Eco-Energy Cluster Upper Austria (Austria)

4. NOEST Network Eco-Energy Styria (Austria)

5. Bayern Innovativ (Germany)

6. MERINOVA Technology Centre (Finland)

7. ZDE Institute for District Energy (Slovenia)

8. CPI Politecnico Innovazione (Italy)

9. Fundacion LABEIN Research Institute (Spain)

10. NORDA Regional Development Agency (Hungary)

The objectives of CENCE

• fostering the cooperation among the participant Energy clusters to contribute to the creation of an EU Innovation Area.

•Developing a new co-operative learning platform for exploiting synergies, exchanging experience and knowledge and building learning communities

• Supporting networking and transfer of knowledge between participant energy clusters, enterprises, intermediate organisms and cluster organisations

• Identify and analyse success factors and barriers to innovation int the EU Energy Clusters

The The reasons forreasons for taking part in taking part in the projectthe project

Creating an Energy Cluster in Northern Hungary in accordance with the priorities of the Regional Development Plan for 2007-13

Establishment of a Regional Energy Agency relying on the existing partners active in the field of energy, renewable sources of energy (e.g.: College of Agriculture in Gyöngyös, Bay Zoltán Institute for Applied Research)

Stimulating employment in depressed areas of the region Promoting the use of renewable energy (esp. biomass)

in the region

North Hungarian and Kosice Regional Innovation Strategy

NORRIS

(June 2005-June 2008)

„The Vision”

NORRIS aims to reformulate and strengthen the economic importance of the Kosice-Miskolc axis in this economic and geographic area of Europe by using innovation and technology as a means of breaking down the barriers.

This project represents a unique opportunity to test and implement the RIS process in a cross border environment.

Advantage from disadvantage?Characteristic Features

Similar Local Conditions Strong economic, social and geographical links Similar economic problems

Centre of Heavy Industry in the past More companies broke down Agriculture is less dominant High unemployment (SK: 20%, HU: 11% - 2004) Lack of new jobs Brain-drain and migration of young population Social problems „Nuts 2 level” problems

The NORRIS consortium North Hungarian Regional Develoment Agency (NORDA)

Partners Kosice Self-Governing Region Agency for the Support of Regional Development University of Kosice

B-A-Z County Government Bay Zoltan Foundation for Applied Research University of Miskolc

ITDH Hungary and Slovakia CARTIF, Castilla y Léon Institute of Technology and Regional Policy

PURPOSE AND MAIN OBJECTIVES - To foster regional and economic cohesion within

and between the participating regions

To improve the regions’ competitiveness

To develop the absorption capacity of EU funds

To strengthen transnational and regional co-operation in the field of R&D and innovation

PURPOSE AND MAIN OBJECTIVES - To create an enabling environment for existing SMEs

and innovative start-ups, spin-offs, investors and R&D centres

To identify strategic key areas of innovation support activities and flagship projects

To transfer experience and knowledge from the supporting partner region and connect to the EU networks and programmes

Conclusion

• Innovation is instrumental in closing the gap with other wealthier regions

• The advantage of focusing on renewable energy resources is threefold:

Stimulates sectors with a high value-added

Highly beneficial for employment

Essential in striving to comply with international environmental standards

Thank you Thank you

for your attention!for your attention!

Dénes ANTALDénes ANTAL

antal.denes@norda.huantal.denes@norda.hu