The Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Science and Technology, promotes public sessions on the islands of Faial, Terceira and São Miguel between January 14 and 20. They fall within the evaluation and review process of the RIS3 Açores, focusing on the priorities of the Region's Smart Specialisation Strategy.
 
With this initiative, the Regional Government intends to continue the discussion, which has already started, on the redefinition of the strategic priorities of RIS3 as well as to present a summary of the results of the ongoing evaluation process.
 
The Regional Director for Science and Technology considered that the involvement of various stakeholders in this type of action "aims to collect a solid contribution from civil society, companies, academia and associations, relevant actors in the regional context, by promoting discussion and sharing of ideas. It takes into consideration that specialisation strategies entail the collaboration and cooperation between the Government and the various sectors of society."
 
Bruno Pacheco also recalled that RIS3 is "a reference framework for public policies and structural investments required by the European Commission as a starting condition for eligibility to access cohesion funds. It is based on the definition of the Region's differentiating areas, investment in innovation and research, as fundamental goals of the Government's action."
 
According to him, the aim is "to combine, in the best way, the various financing tools with leverage power for innovation-based economic development, which is intended to be eminently ecological and to create conditions for a developed and inclusive society based on high levels of employment and social cohesion."
 
The first public sessions of participation and extended discussion will take place on January 14 at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Centre on Terceira Island, followed by sessions at João José da Graça Public Library and Regional Archive on Faial Island on January 15 and 16, and two sessions on January 20 at NONAGON - São Miguel Science and Technology Park in Lagoa.
 
Sessions are open to all interested parties, who can register by indicating the session in which they intend to participate. They should fill in the form available at https://forms.gle/WPQY7MAJhg4bqrMs6.
 
Citizens wishing to submit contributions to the RIS3 Açores review process, regardless of their participation in the extended sessions, may do so until January 31 at the following email addresses: [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].