Regional branch observatories of intelligent markets in Central Europe monitoring technology trends and market developments in the area of smart specializations
Common  challenge faced by all PPs is a missing link between the Regional Innovation Strategies(RIS) monitoring and real needs of smart specialisations(SmartS) of end users. There is no methodical support on national level and no tools for benchmarking. Each region gathers data but in different structure,sometimes not having any monitoring institution.
Main objective of the projects is to fill in this gap and build a link between the RIS and end users.
This can be done by elaborating model for Regional Branch Observatories(RO),equipped with a set of monitoring and benchmarking tools, available to all RIS stakeholders and intelligent markets’ actors.
As the project will coincide with mid-term evaluation of RIS, PPs will elaborate policy recommendations for EU commission, based on international pilot projects and research results; a network of RO will enable national and EU authorities to monitor RIS implementation across EU. Based on SmartS in PPs regions specific technology areas were  selected, for which tools and knowledge management services for RO will be elaborated -health, life science, ICT, future services, sustainable production technics and Industry 4.0. Project approach ensures defining needs of all RIS stakeholders, as representatives of target groups(TG) from each PP region will be involved in the process(participatory approach). Involvement of those TGs will ensure results elaborated cover all RIS markets in CE.
The RIS and SmartS topics were already tackled by several projects within Interreg frames and outside, however none of them was concentrated and dealt with monitoring. This missing part becomes a significant problem concerning the mid-term evaluation of RIS and need for changes in direction EU policy is heading. This steps can be done only within the frames of international actions. CE regions involved in this project cover 32% of EU member states,which gives significant probe that can be used as a benchmark for the entire EU.