Parallel 42 - ESCP for Smart Specialisation in the Agro Value Chain
Objectives and Ambition:
The main objective addressed by PARALLEL 42 is to boost collaboration and synergies among 4 EU Clusters situated along the Parallel 42 and 45, where the agriculture and food areas represent key sectors to their Smart Specialization Strategy, as well as to the innovative system for a sustainable, smart and competitive development of the agro value chain towards the use and implementation of BIG DATA.
Specific Objectives:
- Initiate mutual knowledge exchange and learning of agri food related clusters from different regions in involving smart specialization Strategies
- Facilitate innovation and gain critical mass through cluster initiatives across 4 regions with strong BIG DATA orientation and high complementarity in the agro value chain
- Initiate trans-regional cluster-to-cluster cooperation in involving use of BIG DATA
The members of the partnership:
The concept and objectives of the consortium PARALLEL 42 for the mobilisation of Agro Food European Strategic Cluster Partnerships, for smart specialisation investments via cluster cooperation, are founded on the regional integration of European policies. These are the National and regional innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) and the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) , better known as INTERREG, which is one of the two goals of cohesion policy that provides a framework for the implementation of joint actions and policy exchanges between national, regional and local actors from different Member States. The concept of the consortium is also based on the EIP Agri-Focus Group on Precision Farming, which carried out in 2014 different activities and studies to decide how to organize the data capture and processing to mainstream the application of precision farming for an optimization of inputs and yield.
The PARALLEL 42 partnership includes 4 clusters implicated in the Agriculture and Food sectors, and the main Research Centers involved in the Smart Specialization Strategy and the Regional Development Agencies in Charge of the S3 Policy framework.
Work Plan:
PARALLEL 42 has a strong innovation and focus on the agricultural value chain, and its ultimate goal is to encourage European strategic cluster partnerships for smart specialization investments among the regions involved in the Project. The Regional Development Agencies of each of the countries in charge of the Smart Specialization Strategy in the region have shown their interest in supporting the content and activities of PARALLEL 42:
The PARALLEL 42 pursues the following activities:
- Define a joint transnational cluster action plan and S3 stress test analysis of advanced, convergence and less advanced regions for agenda setting.
- Implement the RIS3CAT model adapted to regional clusters in three less developed Regions.
- Fostering a Bankable proposals for a BIGDATA Centre in each Region.
Expected Impact:
- Strengthen interregional collaboration. Linking competences, infrastructures and innovation efforts at European level.
- Transformation of Agro Food Value Chain towards more competitive, sustainable and modern production
- Foster implementation of Ris3 strategies in less developed participants regions.
- Future agreements for cooperation and investment in a BIG DATA Center