Italy: Results of the Innovation Conference

In the course of history, the “Etats Généraux” (stati generali, in Italian), i.e. political bodies representing the various classes of citizens, were called when great dangers were impending. The lack of innovation dynamics in the economy can be seen as such a risk. To address challenges in the Italian innovation system, experts in the field and representatives of the public administrations, research centres and universities, gathered in Rome to agree on a roadmap for innovation that can be proposed to the new government.

On November 25th and 26th, a major conference took place in Rome to discuss the state-of-play in innovation policy and the digital divide in Italy. The event relied on the joint participation and contribution of distinguished representatives from the three main “états”: (i) the public sector (including government), (ii) business and universities, and (iii) the third sector. The conference focused on the question how innovation could be a mean to counteract the deep economic crisis. The goal was to agree among represented stakeholders on a “roadmap for innovation”, to be addressed to the newly formed government. The debate was held along four main themes:

• share of knowledge
• digital inclusion
• innovation for business development
• open government.

Speakers pinpointed that digital integration and cross fertilisation were crucial within the Italian economic system, traditionally relying on networking and value chain cooperation. Consensus was easily found over the well known factors hindering innovation in Italy. These include:

• the lack of a systemic approach,
• the small average size of Italian companies and, most importantly,
• the dramatic cuts of funds supporting R&D at any level.

The country still has to cope with a digital divide that actually limits the overall potential for innovation. As a response to address this challenge, the first action proposed by the conference would be a “package against the digital spread”. The list of foreseen actions includes:

• actions strengthening the networking of actors in the innovation value chain, i.e. universities, businesses, banks, local authorities;
• measures promoting the adoption of ICT among SMEs;
• the implementation of the digital agenda at a local (municipality) level, by strengthening cooperation with and among actors of the third sector;
• the actual implementation of measures for the development of the broadband infrastructure and use;
• the re-launch of the already running project for open government and the open access to the public administration databases of public interest.

These actions shall now be detailed into a concrete work-plan by the end of the year.

All the above listed issues are, unfortunately, not really new but “déjà vu”. There has been only little progress in addressing them in the past few years, however. This delay makes the actions urgent and absolutely necessary. The innovation and business community hopes that the time has come now to act more rigorously, since the newly formed government is expected to commit itself towards reaching the related objectives and to designing its policies accordingly. Specific measures to support innovation are expected to be announced in the next few weeks. The amount of resources that will be allocated to this goal is not yet known.

References / further information:

• Internet platform for innovation in Italy, operated by "Stati Generali dell'Innovazione", a non profit organisation established by business associations, enterprises, research centres and representatives of society at large.