National-regional governance of STI

The Spanish System of Science, Technology and Innovation is characterized by the coexistence of different regional research and innovation systems, with different levels of scientific and technological development. In this "system of systems", as indicated in Article 149 the Spanish Constitution, the State has exclusive competence in terms of "promotion and general coordination of scientific and technical research". In other words, the promotion and financing of R&D& is a responsibility shared between the General State Administration and the Autonomous Communities.

National and regional S3s: organisation and governance

Against this background, Spain is characterized by having one national S3, the EECTI (Estrategia Estatal de Ciencia, Tenología e Innovación), as well as 17 regional Smart Specialisation Strategies, on for each Comunidad Autonoma (NUTS 2 level) excluding Ceuta and Melilla. The issue of coordination among regional and local level is critical in this complex setting. At the strategic level, the main institutional mechanisms for multi-level coordination between the state and the regions is the Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy Council. In the latter, the National Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, works with their corresponding institutions at the regional level to devise aligned policies and strategies. Such Council is not exclusively concerned with S3 and covers all matters related to RTDI policy. At the operational level, there is a significant exchange of information among national and regional administrations, to avoid overlaps in instruments and ensure communication of national and EU calls and opportunities at the regional level. Indeed, one of the improvements in governance introduced, both in the reform of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and in the EECTI, is a new mechanism for implementing R&D policies coordinated between the State and the Autonomous Communities: The Complementary Plans with the Autonomous Communities. The Complementary Plans are collaborations with the Autonomous Regions in R&D actions in which common priorities of the state plan and regional plans converge, allowing synergies to be established in strategic areas reflected in the state and regional S3s. The aim is to create synergies, align the implementation of funds, and establish common priorities. Finally, in terms of soft coordination, the national level offers opportunities for peer learning through the so called "Red IdI” (i.e. RTDI network), in which all the agencies/ministries involved in research and innovation policy convene to exchange practices, discuss challenges, etc. At the same time, the Foro ADR (a network of regional development agencies), an organisation grouping the Network of Regional dregional development agencies, also offers other opportunities for peer learning.

For information on regional S3s, please return to the homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/assets/s3-observatory/index_en.html