Advisory report 14: Towards the top of knowledge and innovation regions in 2030

In line with the VARIO-Memorandum, the Flemish Government has set itself the goal of connecting Flanders with the top-five of most innovative knowledge regions and countries in Europe. In this context, VARIO presents Advice 14 'Towards the top of knowledge and innovation regions in 2030' to Minister-President of the Government of Flanders Jan Jambon and Flemish Minister for Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits.

Advice 14 with accompanying report is part of a triptych and formulates a strategy to join the top of innovation regions by 2030. In Advice 10, VARIO previously selected five countries and 17 regions with which Flanders should benchmark itself on its way to the top in coming years. Advice 13 offers a high-quality set of 20 key indicators to monitor Flanders' progress.

Despite its high R&D expenditure (2.9% of GDPR), Flanders ranks 40th in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS-2019). As a result, Flanders remains in the Strong Innovator category. The bar needs to be raised. In order to connect with the European innovation leaders, Flanders must focus on seven weak links in its innovation system over the next ten years: (1) the shortages in STEM, (2) lifelong learning, (3) ambitious entrepreneurship, (4) the regional impact of R&D investments, (5) an integrated vision on innovation, (6) high-tech exports, (7) an efficient and effective innovation policy... VARIO also formulates short-term measures for the economic recovery.