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Riinvest Institute, within the framework of the POLICY ANSWERS, has been engaged in the working groups for the drafting of S3. In this framework, Riinvest Institute has also prepared a concept document for the establishment of the Strategic Advisory Council for S3 in accordance with the methodology of the Joint Research Centre (JRC). After the approval of the strategy, Riinvest Institute will be engaged in monitoring progress in each area. Riinvest Institute is also committed to monitoring the implementation of the Digital Agenda, following the indicators that are well presented in this agenda. In total, 61 indicators distributed across 5 strategic objectives and 18 specific objectives will be tracked.
Kosovo* became part of the Smart Specialization Platform (S3P) in September 2018, adopting the Joint Research Centre (JRC) methodology for smart specialization in EU enlargement and neighbouring countries. The Office of the Prime Minister, specifically the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP), set up a working group for the S3 process. This process involved a two-stage analysis: first, a quantitative assessment of the country’s economic, innovation and scientific capacities, and second, a qualitative analysis in cooperation with key stakeholders.
This process led to the identification of five priority areas of development:
- Wood processing
- ICT
- Food processing
- Energy (with a focus on green energy) and
- Creative industries
The Entrepreneurship Development Process (EDP), which involved stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia and civil society, focused on discussing specific needs and supporting innovative policies and measures. A representative of the Riinvest Institute participated in the working group meetings related to the ICT sector. Two workshops were held for each sector in October and November 2022, which focused on the SWOT analysis. Further workshops in 2023 set the objectives and visions of each sector and discussed policy measures in relation to strategic goals and measurable performance indicators. The next steps include the drafting of the Strategy and Action Plan, public consultation, and the adoption of the strategy, which is expected in 2024. After the adoption of the strategy, the Riinvest Institute will engage in monitoring progress in each area.
The visions and objectives of each sector are presented below.
Wood processing sector
Vision: “By 2030, Kosovo’s industry will be transformed into a more globally integrated industry that will produce value-added products and decent employment”.
Objectives:
- Export orientation
- International promotion of the wood industry
- Investments in increasing human resource capacities
- Decent employment of women and youth in the industry
- Better forest management and certification
- Increasing innovation and creativity in the industry for the development of new ideas/products
Energy Sector:
Vision: “Horizontal and vertical integration of smart and advanced energy systems, and efficient RES methods, by developing and strengthening R&D capacities and human resources at professional and academic levels.”
Objective 1: Orienting and improving the capacities and knowledge of the workforce at the secondary and higher education levels, through collaborations between the academic and private sectors in Research & Development activities and providing reliable programs with a focus on RES
Objective 2: Building a smart energy system with advanced technologies to increase energy efficiency and use RES capacities at a cross-sectoral level.
Creative Industry
Priority Sub-Sectors (i) Audiovisual Production Sector; (ii) Creative Services, including design, architecture, advertising and digital services.
Objective 1: Increasing the competitiveness of organizations/companies/individuals
Objective 2: Focused financial support
Objective 3: Sustainable development and human capacity building through
interaction and synergies between government, civil society, academia and industry
Objective 4: Increasing Functional Infrastructure and Research and Development Capabilities
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Vision: “The ICT sector to advance and mature into a key sector for the development of Kosovo, through the development of telecommunications infrastructure, and the creation of creative and innovative technologies oriented towards export.”
Objective 1: Involvement of actors of formal and non-formal education processes in the sustainable development of the ICT sector at multiple levels, through investments in Research and Development collaborations and the development of ‘data’, the definition of uniform educational standards and the creation of a skilled and focused workforce in the provision of ‘on-demand’ products/services.
Objective 2: Developing creative products based on ‘data’ and artificial intelligence, and advanced services for specific markets in the long term, through developing the potential of the gaming industry and BPOs, investing in cybersecurity and network development.
Food Processing Industry (Safe and quality agro-processing industry)
Vision: “The development of the agro-processing sector will be achieved by strengthening its three main pillars: ensuring product safety and quality standards, increasing the diversity of food products, and building human and innovative capacities.”
Objective 1: “Increasing food safety and quality control standards to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction”.
Objective 2: “Increasing human and professional capacities, information and implementation of innovation in the agro-processing industry sector”.
Objective 3: “Increasing the diversity of agro-food production and the inclusion of organic and bio products, with high export potential, in the production chain”.
Establishment of a Strategic Advisory Board for the Kosovo Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) and for R&I
As part of the S3 drafting process, it is proposed to establish a Strategic Advisory Board to provide valuable feedback and representation from stakeholders involved in the innovation and research ecosystem. As part of the activities of the “Policy Answers” project, the Riinvest Institute has prepared a proposal for the establishment of a Strategic Advisory Board, in line with the methodology of the Joint Research Centre (JRC). Riinvest proposed that the Board adopt the Quadruple Helix format composed of representatives of different stakeholders that could also perform the same role for the field of research and innovation. This concept document provides for the composition of the Council, its roles and responsibilities, including the rules of chairmanship, the holding of meetings, the status and voting rights of its members, and financing. This proposal will be discussed with representatives of the Office of Strategic Planning.