The aim of INNOVARIOJA, the first Programa Riojano de Acciones Innovadoras de La Rioja (Programme for Innovative Actions in La Rioja, PRAI), was to build synergies and generate a trend towards innovation that would involve as many agents and industries as possible from La Rioja.
Having achieved this dynamising effect on the region’s innovation, the second PRAI seeks to create a “regional economy based on knowledge and technological innovation”, in order to produce the greatest possible impact. We believe that this approach could have a stronger pull on the economy and society of La Rioja.
With the implementation of the first PRAI (INNOVARIOJA), we saw an increase in the region’s R&D capacity and its interaction in networks of European excellence, reflected particularly by the increased participation of Rioja-based companies in projects approved in the Sixth R&D Framework Programme. The R&D investments of companies in La Rioja also increased significantly.
The economy of La Rioja has to adapt to two important challenges in the coming years: the effect of globalisation on some important sectors for our economy (agri-food, metal/mechanics, footwear, energy/construction/environment, and elastomers/plastics) and the move towards the aim of “Regional Competitiveness and Employment” in the new programming period for the structural funds.
The Second Programa Riojano de Acciones Innovadoras de La Rioja, entitled “Globaltech Rioja”, seeks to support the society and companies of La Rioja in the creation of stable and sustainable development integrated into Europe and our globalised world. The Lisbon Agenda aim of allocating 3% of GDP to investment in R&D&i activities in 2010 was set with this idea in mind.
Globaltech Rioja represents an opportunity to face these challenges by developing a new methodological approach in regional technology strategy based on international technology watching, European and international cooperation and the development of future industries (Life Saving and Personal Safety) that interact with traditional sectors and can be transferred to other parts of Europe.
Second PRAI (Regional Programme for Innovative Actions) 2007-2008
For more information, please contact us: globaltech@ader.es
