Ukrainian regions resume work on Smart Specialisation strategies

In February–March, the Ukrainian Institute for International Politics, together with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and Prognos AG, with the support of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, organised a series of training sessions titled “Capacity Building on Smart Specialisation for Ukrainian Public Authorities.”

The programme brought together regional teams responsible for Smart Specialisation (S3) development, European experts and representatives of Ukrainian institutions. The initiative aimed to support Ukrainian regions in continuing their work on Smart Specialisation strategies and strengthening their capacity to apply this approach in practice.

Training programme

The training consisted of three sessions designed to cover the key elements of the Smart Specialisation (S3) approach — from its core methodology to practical tools for identifying regional development priorities.

The introductory webinar focused on the fundamentals of Smart Specialisation and its relevance for Ukraine in the context of EU integration. Participants discussed the principles behind S3 strategies and the role of Smart Specialisation as a strategic policy tool for countries preparing for EU accession.

The session also provided an overview of the current state of Smart Specialisation implementation in Ukraine.

Particular attention was paid to issues of multi-level governance, stakeholder engagement and the organisation of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) — a key mechanism used to identify regional innovation priorities. Participants also explored opportunities for cooperation through European platforms and instruments that support Smart Specialisation initiatives.

Practical sessions for regional teams

The following thematic sessions focused on the practical implementation of Smart Specialisation in regions. These sessions addressed:

• the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in the context of transforming regional economies
• approaches to identifying Smart Specialisation priorities based on regional competences and skills
• European experience in building innovation ecosystems and fostering cross-sectoral cooperation.

The discussions provided an opportunity for regional teams to exchange experiences and explore practical tools for developing and implementing Smart Specialisation strategies.

Supporting regional innovation development

Such training sessions help regional teams resume their work on identifying smart development priorities, engaging stakeholders and building regional innovation ecosystems.

By drawing on regional competences and innovation potential, the Smart Specialisation approach supports regions in shaping their development priorities while strengthening cooperation with European partners.