Regional Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3) are not just dry, lifeless strategic documents – they connect research, education, business and public administration to address real societal challenges across Czech regions. Two of these challenges faced by most regions in the Czech Republic are the brain drain from the regions and the increasing need to care for an aging population.
Brain drain from the regions
Many regions have long struggled with the fact that young, talented people often leave their region to study or work in larger centers. This trend weakens local innovation ecosystems and reduces the regions’ potential for growth and the basis for innovation, new technologies and higher added value.
Ústí nad Labem – Supporting Entrepreneurship in Schools
In the Ústí nad Labem Region, the team of the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (ICUK) decided to systematically develop entrepreneurship among students of primary, secondary and higher schools. Instead of isolated activities, the large-scale RUR (Region to University – University of the Region) project created a comprehensive system that connects schools, companies and universities, and develops creative thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills. This activity contributed to a greater openness of schools to innovation and increased the motivation of students to think about entrepreneurship as a career path. You can read the case study here: Case study_Support for entrepreneurship (In Czech language only)
Plzeň Region – GoHigher: building a community of talents
Similarly, the Pilsen Region faced a weak connection of gifted pupils and students with the research and innovation scene, which led to a talent drain. The GoHigher project purposefully built a community of talents, created a central platform for sharing activities and connecting with experts from practice, and supported joint projects between schools, companies and research institutions. This made the offer of opportunities directly in the region visible and helped strengthen ties between young people and their home innovation environment. You can read the case study here: GoHigher Case Study (In Czech language only)
Both of these examples show how RIS3 strategies help build human capital and improve the conditions for talent development right where they live – thereby reducing their outflow and strengthening the regional economy.
The growing need for care for an aging population
Demographic developments in the Czech Republic mean that the number of seniors and people with reduced self-sufficiency is increasing significantly. This places higher demands on health and social systems, families and regional budgets. RIS3 teams are responding in innovative ways – for example by supporting technologies that will allow seniors to live longer independently and safely in their own environment.
South Moravian Region – HOME IS HOME
The HOME IS HOME project responds to the challenge of an aging population by creating a central signpost of assistive technologies and accompanying events such as exhibitions and technology presentations. The aim is to make it easier for seniors, other vulnerable people and their families to navigate the world of technologies that increase safety and self-sufficiency in the home environment. You can read the case study here: Case study Home is Home (In Czech language only)
Zlín Region – Assistive Technologies in the Zlín Region
A pilot program for assistive technologies was implemented in the Zlín Region, which tested various life-enhancing solutions, such as sensors, monitors and other smart devices, and created a demonstration apartment for assistive technologies, where the public and experts can try them out in practice. This approach has supported awareness of the possibilities of technology and their integration into the care of seniors and people with reduced self-sufficiency. You can read the case study here: Case study Assistive Technologies Zlín (In Czech language only)
Both programs show that technology can be a powerful tool for addressing the pressure on care for the growing population of seniors and other vulnerable people, if they are clearly presented and practically accessible.
The role of regional RIS3 teams
Case studies demonstrate that regional RIS3 teams are not passive planners, but active innovation coordinators that transform innovation strategies into concrete projects with real impact. Key principles that are repeated across regions include:
- A participatory approach that connects public administration, business entities, research institutions and civil society (quadruple helix).
- Connecting education with regional needs that creates opportunities for young people directly in the region.
- Practical application of technologies to improve the quality of life, including in the area of care for the elderly and less self-sufficient people.
- Information and communication support that allows target groups to easily navigate innovative solutions.
Thanks to this, RIS3 strategies become a tool for real changes that strengthen regional resilience to societal challenges and support the long-term sustainable development of regions.
You can read more examples of practice and case studies in the RIS3 portal in the Inspiration and Stories section (In Czech language only).
