Less than a decade ago, the Smart Specialization Methodology (RIS3) was launched in the European Union and was already composed by the desire to promote cooperation between regions and countries. The Joint Research Center (JRC) guided EU Member States to implement more than 120 RIS3 Strategies. Within the Thematic Platforms of the Intelligent Specialization Methodology in energy, agri-food and industrial modernization, more than 160 EU regions collaborated in more than 30 partnerships between regions.

This Methodology is defined by four major characteristics:

In practice, the RIS3 Methodology analyzes the regional context, diagnosing local assets and identifying their priorities, in order to promote the most promising areas. Thus, the methodology uses the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) as a way of dialoguing with local actors, in order to identify, validate and decide which innovation priorities for the region or country. In the EU, EDP is perceived positively, as it increases trust between the actors involved and in the public sector, engages stakeholders in the development of the region and improves public policy decision-making.

To understand how the Smart Specialization Methodology developed in practice, we analysed case studies that may represent some of the concrete results that were developed through the program. In this sense, the IUC Program is seen by the administrations of the participating regions as a facilitator to identify collaborative partners; encourage learning; and work in network.