Lubelskie voivodship in TOP5 – the most innovative regions

In this year’s edition of the “Index Millennium”, the growing distance of voivodeships from the leader and an increase in disproportions between regions are highlighted. In previous years, most provinces have moved closer to the top of the list, but this year as many as nine of them have moved in the opposite direction. The position from last year’s ranking was retained only by the leading voivodeships: 1. Mazowieckie and 2. Małopolskie, 5. Lubelskie and Lubuskie taking the last place. Only six voivodships reduced the distance to the podium. Among them, the Łódzkie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Śląskie and Opolskie Voivodships should be distinguished. The most significant progress in the increase of innovativeness was achieved by the Opolskie Voivodeship (promotion by as much as three positions) and Łódzkie Voivodeship (2 points up). Both regions significantly increased their expenditures on R&D and consequently improved their place in the category of granted patents.

“Index Millennium 2018” showed that the innovativeness of the region is connected with its investment attractiveness. Voivodships with a high innovative potential, which have been at the forefront of the ranking for several years, are at the same time the areas with the highest investment attractiveness. This year the most attractive voivodship regarding investment projects was Mazovia, but also the Lower Silesian, Silesian, Lesser Poland and Pomeranian voivodships were among the best.

– This result is not surprising – adds Grzegorz Maliszewski, Chief Economist of Bank Millennium. – The presence of research centres and research institutes in the region is an added value for a potential investor. It increases the likelihood of implementing innovative research results and creates the possibility of employing qualified staff. Cooperation with universities, on the other hand, provides an opportunity to develop the company from the technological point of view and, thanks to the joint agreement on the fields of study, is a source of graduates with the most desirable competencies.

Is there a recipe for innovation?

The report shows that there is no one size fits all regions. The main factor in the development of innovation in specific areas is its economic potential (e.g. the level of development of industry, availability of educational facilities, human capital or the share of foreign capital). Regional policy is also important – access to grants, facilitating cooperation between business and science, financing research and development activities and tax incentives for companies undertaking such activities. However, many of the factors stimulating innovation are local factors, such as geographical location, access to road infrastructure or the location of universities. Taking into account all the conditions, the authorities of each voivodeship should develop their own, individual “recipe for innovation”, taking into account local specificity and available resources. Indeed, it is worth noting:

• support for smart specialisation, i.e. regional economic sectors with above-average development potential such as sustainable energy, information technologies, electrical engineering, tourism, creative and leisure industries,
• adapting education profiles to the needs of innovative companies in the region,
• taking care of the base and quality of higher education, which for employers offering attractive and well-paid jobs means access to qualified personnel,
• supporting entrepreneurship and providing incentives for the creation of innovative companies (including start-ups) such as business incubators, research laboratories, investment funds or loan funds.

Source:
https://www.bankmillennium.pl/o-banku/centrum-prasowe/informacje-prasowe/-/news-info/cztery-regiony-liderami-innowacyjnosci-jaki-maja-na-to-przepis-3-09-2018
https://www.bankmillennium.pl/o-banku/centrum-prasowe#indeks-Millennium