Asturias’ Strategy for Intelligent Expertise outlines the roadmap for change, hand in hand with science and innovation, in the generative model of the Principality. The Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) aims to concentrate resources in areas where each region has key competencies for smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Asturias’ S3 (2021-2027) is the key strategy to guide the sectors where Asturias is strong to compete in Europe. It will mobilize more than 314 million people.
S3, which replaces RIS3, is required to qualify for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). With this strategy, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, with the support of IDEPA, is tracing the roadmap for the Principality’s production model to change hand in hand with science and innovation. Programs to intensify actions and calls are included in the following sections:
1. Support to companies for R&D+i projects, strengthening the industrial ecosystem and innovative entrepreneurship.
2. Knowledge and technology transfer aimed at promoting open innovation, public-private cooperation and the internationalization of the science and innovation system.
3. Research capacity and ability, which includes attracting researchers with an excellent track record.
4. Bilateral transition-related investments to increase dedicated contribution to R&D+i, increase the number of innovative companies and digitize the productive sector.
There are five areas of expertise that Asturias relies on to compete in Europe:
farm food The aim is to make Asturias a strategic benchmark for green and digital agri-food production. Challenges include promoting healthy and safe Asturias food with personalized lines for different sectors.
Active and healthy aging. Development of products to prevent and treat high prevalence diseases in Asturias, research, analysis and control of pandemics were identified as challenges; Design of early detection systems, including regional specialization in artificial intelligence and biomedical research.
Heritage and biodiversity. The main objectives consist of the preservation of natural ecosystems of wild fauna and flora, with an emphasis on actions that reduce biodiversity loss and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Energy and circularity. The aim is to facilitate the energy transition in Asturias with efficient consumption and clean energy production for industry.
Smart and durable industry. It focuses on the competitiveness of the industrial product, with a focus on regional specialization in the manufacture of structures and components.
Promotion of commercial R&D and public-private consortia
Two of the programs launched in this legislature that act as leverage for the Asturian R+D+i are focused on encouraging investment in research and innovation in the private sector. The call for assistance in the creation and consolidation of commercial R&D centers is addressed to large companies wishing to establish a headquarters in Asturias or to move their technological development centers to the Principality.
IDEPA is in charge of this program, which is about to complete its third call and six new R&D+i centers are operating in the region. In two years, more than 18 million euros have been mobilized for projects linked to this programme.
IDEPA has programs that aim to carry out R&D+i projects individually or collaboratively, aiming to meet the needs of companies to face innovation and competitive improvement processes with a view to greater specialization in their current activities. diversification of its activity at the international level according to opportunity niches. These programs are explicitly geared towards activities identified as priorities in the RIS3 of Asturias.
Another innovative program is the Scientific Missions of Asturias. In the two calls, 11 large consortia were launched with the participation of more than 150 institutions, companies and social entities. These programs revolve around two main lines: longevity and active aging. One of the lines of action is the reduction of emissions and greenhouse gases. The mission is to develop the technologies necessary to combat polluting emissions in Asturias. One of the projects is “Agrifood Zero Emissions”. The actions aim to reduce emissions, waste use and carbon absorption in the dairy, cider and forestry sectors. Led by Grupo Dex and with nearly twenty partners, the consortium continues the project launched in the first edition of the Scientific Missions and includes new lines of research involving algae, insects and biochar, as well as new additives in animal feed.