3-CIP CREATES STRONG LINKS TO ESTABLISH CROSS-BORDER TECHNOLOGY CLUSTERS Background Building upon the economic initiative "InnoLausitz" of the two German Bundesländer, Saxony and Brandenburg, the IIIC operation "3-CIP – Three-Country Innovation Push" extends efforts to the interregional cooperation of a total of 8 regions from 3 countries (DE, CZ, PL). Within the framework of the operation, partners join efforts to develop a common vision for the larger region and promote innovative SME collaborations in order to foster a functioning and vibrant internal market between the regions. Objectives The operation aims to develop a strong cross-border partnership in order to create a larger region with enhanced economic growth and regional cohesion. Important sub-objectives include the establishment of a networking of relevant players and the initiation of innovative cross-regional co-operations of core business branches. Furthermore, the operation wants to help demonstrate the potential of combining the efforts of a larger number of regions within a Border Region context. Results The operation results in a joint strategy and guidelines for future actions for innovative regional development. Based on conferences, workshops, and meetings in the partner regions, co-operations are initiated and core businesses and technology transfer units are supported. The operation collaborates with international experts and serves as an example for interregional cooperation that is transferable to other regions in comparable locations and situations. Activities include the establishment of a Three-Countries-Innovation portal for co-operation and innovation focusing on the identified 9 common core branches, namely Automotive, Mechanical Engineering / Metal Processing, Energy / Environment, Chemical Industry / Plastics, Enabling Technologies / Microelectronics, Textile, Glass / Ceramics / Jewellery, Food and Beverages, and Building Materials. For each of these branches, a joint strategy and a program for implementation of action and pilot projects has been developed and successful conferences were held. Topic for cooperation: Border regions operation Duration: January 2004 – December 2005 Total budget: EU 975,612 ERDF: EUR 731,709 Lead partner: Saxony Economic Development Corporation; Bertolt-Brecht-Allee 24; D-01309 Dresden Contact: Gerhard Kirkamm Phone:+49 351 213 8371 Email: gerhard.kirkamm@ewfs.saxony.de Website: http://www.3-cip.com Partnership Saxony Economic Development Corporation (DE), Brandenburg Economic Development Board (DE); Saxon Economic Development Corporation (DE); Regional Development Agency of the Liberec Region (Severovýchod, CZ); Ústí Region (Severozápad, CZ); Regional Development Agency of the Egrensis Region (Severozápad, CZ); Marshal Office of the Wielkopolska Voivodship (PL); Wroclaw Regional Development Agency (Dolnoslaskie, PL); and Marshal Office of the Lubuskie Province (PL) 3CIP project homepage