The mission of the project Smart Accelerator + / Pardubice Region Innovative (hereinafter referred to as SA+), reg. no.: CZ.02.01.02/00/22_009/0004892 is to build a regional innovation ecosystem, in accordance with the research and innovation strategy of the region (RIS3 strategy). The aim is to support innovative and smart solutions in the Pardubice Region so that they ultimately positively affect the lives of all citizens of the region. The project applicant is the Pardubice Region, and the project partner is the Regional Development Agency of the Pardubice Region (RRA PK). The project is implemented from the beginning of 2023 to the end of 2026 and is co-financed by the European Union through the Operational Programme Jan Amos Komenský (OP JAK) of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Project activities
The SA+ project builds on two previous projects (Smart Accelerator of the Pardubice Region I and II) from the Operational Programme Science, Research and Education, during which a number of activities were developed and which SA+ continues. Of course, there are awareness-raising, educational or matchmaking events and professional conferences. The project will again provide the activities of the Regional Council for Innovation of the Pardubice Region (KRPI), which is an advisory body of the Pardubice Region Council in the field of research, development and innovation. The meeting of educational, research and business entities from individual domains of specialisation according to the regional RIS3 strategy will continue within the framework of the Regional Innovation Platforms (KIP).
A new pilot validation activity will be conducted at the University of Pardubice with the aim of identifying ideas suitable for commercialization through ambassadors who will work at selected faculties. The next pilot verification will focus on supporting innovation and application of smart solutions in selected economically and socially vulnerable areas (HSOU) of the Pardubice Region, specifically in Česká Třebová and Moravská Třebová. A detailed evaluation and update of the regional RIS3 annex is also planned.
Other new project activities are based on foreign and domestic inspirations. This includes the planned construction of a data portal (DataPortal) of the Pardubice Region, which will provide clear and comprehensible data information from the region (e.g. from transport, education, health, development, innovation or tourism). Another novelty will be the involvement of the Pardubice Region in the formerly Swiss PLATINN programme, which helps established small and medium-sized enterprises to further develop. The programme will be facilitated by the Pardubice Business Incubator (P-PINK), which will expand its portfolio of services in the new headquarters.
There will also be foreign cooperation, thanks to which the Pardubice Region will receive inspiration and good practices from the implementation of smart solutions, support for innovation or cooperation between the research and public sector from Israel and the Federal Republic of Saxony.
The activities of the project will continue to be presented under the brand Parádní kraj, which includes not only the activities of the SA+ project, but also the entire development of the Pardubice Region.
Key activities
1) Project management
2) Core team
3) Training and competence development
4) Mapping, analysis, evaluation
5) Assistance – will not be implemented under SA+
6) Twinning
7) Pilot verification
8) Marketing and communication strategy of the region
Target groups
The SA+ project targets a broad group of the population (pupils, students, teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs, municipal representatives, innovative company management, etc.). The project aims, among others, to mediate communication between the different groups, initiate their cooperation and thus support the creation of a functioning innovation ecosystem in the Pardubice Region.
Areas of interest of the project
The SA+ project focuses on vertical and horizontal topics. The regional RIS3 strategy defines domains of specialisation, which represent areas in which our region has potential.
The vertical themes are based on these five domains:
1) Smart chemistry for industry and bio-medical applications;
2) Textiles;
3) competitive transport;
4) Engineering;
5) Advanced applications of electrical and computer engineering.
Horizontal priorities (cross-cutting themes) are based on current trends and needs of the innovation ecosystem and society as a whole. The SA+ project will primarily address the following:
1) Cybersecurity;
2) Digitalisation;
3) Industry 4.0;
4) Circular economy.
Strategic interventions
These new tools are designed within the SA+ project to reach all project target groups and stakeholders of the regional innovation ecosystem. In addition to the projects already mentioned in the Pilot Validation activity, these are:
1) Increasing competences in the field of cybersecurity and digitalization – cooperation with the international cluster Digital & Enviro Grouping (CEDEG) in the framework of awareness raising activities
2) Development of the innovation ecosystem and implementation of PARvic (Pardubice Development Innovation Centre)
3) Innovation and technology vouchers
4) PINKaka Start-up Academy
5) Establishment of the East Bohemian Biocluster
6) Interreg projects -REWARD, GH2M, CHEERS4U
7) Support for polytechnic education in secondary education in the Pardubice Region
Parádní kraj® is the official brand of the Pardubice Region, covering all activities in the field of regional development and innovation. It focuses on connecting entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, students and representatives of municipalities in our region. Together we are creating the future of the Pardubice Region. Join us! If you are interested in innovation, new technologies, SMART solutions or, for example, current grant programs to support regional development and entrepreneurship, visit www.paradnikraj.cz, FB @paradnikraj or LinkedIn.