"COMPLEX CHALLENGES, INNOVATIVE CITIES"
BACKGROUND.Most surveys and analyses in EU are focused on innovation performance of private sector,while innovations in public sector remain largerly understudied and thus unknown.The simplest definition CCIC will use is 'public sector innovation is about new ideas that work at creating public value'.In terms of innovation,regions and municipalities have a crucial lead-role.Thus,CCIC aims to increase the levels of innovation in 13 diverse partner-regions.By exchanging good practices they will address a set of interlinked challenges faced by all public authorities and related to innovation in public sector as:public finance for innovation, public authorities as innovators and innovation stimulators, public attitudes to innovation, public procurement to support innovation.
At policy-level CCIC will contribute by proposing recommendations to different levels of governance thru focussing on the regional dimension of:EU’s Europe 2020 strategy and EC's “Innovation Union" flagship initiative.
CCIC OBJECTIVE is to improve regional innovation policies by enhancing innovation in public sector and increasing collaboration b/n local and regional authorities, public entities and other stakeholders.
The CONSORTIUM comprises 14 partners from 10 MSs, 8 local/3 regional authorities, 3 organisations with expertise in innovation and technology transfer.Each partner has recruited a local/regional consortium.Key decision-makers and stakeholders will be involved at key phases of the project.
MAIN ACTIVITIES.Phase 1:Jan-12 to Jun-12:IDENTIFY GOOD PRACTICES: draft methodology on overall regional/local innovation performance with state of art questionnaire,collect data, assemble a good practice list by theme to be peer-reviewed by Thematic Groups; hold local/regional stakeholder forum (in own-language).
Phase 2:Jul-12 to Aug-12:EXAMINE GOOD PRACTICES:elaborate Analytical report on innovation in public sector; analyze good practice database, assess best practices. Agree study visit programme.
Phase 3:Sep-12 to Sep-13:IMPORT GOOD PRACTICES:Undertake 6 study visits each involving 3 members from 7 partners;analyse visits outcomes to identify potential for transfer;conduct thematic group meetings;publish best practice guide 
Phase 4:Nov-13 to July-14:ADOPT GOOD PRACTICES:All cities/regions select a good practice to be adopted;elaborate deep delegation programme;undertake 5 deep delegation visits,each involving 7 members from 3 partners; all PPs prepare RIPs and promote CCIC on WIRE 2014
Phase 5:Sep-14 to Dec-14:FINAL OUTPUTS:finalize RIPs and pilot projects,publish methodology and policy recommendations,hold final conference
OUTPUTS:96 press releases,project brochure,12 dissemination events, 9other events attended,16 interregional events,40 good practices identified,13 pilot projects designed
RESULTS:13 good practices successfully transferred,60 staff members with increased capacity,13 local/regional policies improved,13 RIPs to be considered by MAs for next Programming Period