Context
The Proces Przedsiębiorczego Odkrywania (PPO) project, a strategic initiative of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, introduced systemic reforms in the management of regional innovation policy. It transformed the administration from being a manager into an animator of the innovation ecosystem.
Thanks to the implementation of data-driven public administration mechanisms, planning and development decisions are based on reliable data. They take into account cyclical analyses of the region’s challenges and feedback from entrepreneurs and stakeholders; this approach increases the relevance and effectiveness of the actions taken. The project invests in structures and processes, including through regional networking, innovation broker services, the Grant Fund, and a participatory system. The investments have a lasting impact on cooperation in the innovation ecosystem, and strengthen the competitiveness of the region and its economic resilience.
A bottom-up approach supports innovation. It involves companies, universities, business environment institutions, and the public sector. Constant dialogue with stakeholders allows the current needs of the region to be taken into account on an ongoing basis.
The project contributes to the long-term transformation of the Podlaskie Voivodeship’s administration and economy. It boosts the efficiency of operations, improves the governance structure, and enhances the adaptability of the region in the face of geopolitical challenges and global governance disruptions.
Objectives
The European Regional Innovation Scoreboard (ERIS) cyclically ranks member countries and regions in terms of their level of innovation. In 2025, Podlaskie was ranked 209th out of 240 European regions, highlighting the urgent need to increase the region’s competitiveness and innovation.
The scale of the challenges in this area is significant and requires dedicated efforts. Therefore, the PPO project aims to support entrepreneurial discovery and network cooperation in Podlaskie. It pursues the following specific objectives:
- strengthening cooperation between business, science, government and organisations;
- increasing the competences of key stakeholders to co-manage the regional smart specialisation strategy;
- improving the quality of monitoring of regional smart specialisations by implementing more participatory and data-driven qualitative analytical methods;
- supporting the process of identifying and modifying smart specialisations in response to the changing economic and social needs of the region;
- strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem through the development of collaborative networks.
Cooperation of these environments helps to gather up-to-date knowledge about the region’s economy, and identify opportunities and risks, as well as create and adapt innovative solutions. This is the core of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process of which the PPO is part – developing relevant, data-driven decisions to support the competitiveness of the region.
Implementation
The project leader is Podlaskie Voivodeship, responsible for regional development policy. The leader selected partners in an open call and entrusted tasks to entities operating in key areas of smart specialisation.
The partners are public entities: Podlaskie Ecosystem Fund Agricultural Valley 4.0 (agri-food industry) and Medical University of Bialystok (medical sector), and business environment institutions: the Polish Advisory and Consulting Association (eco-innovation) and the Centre for the Promotion of Innovation and Development (metal and machinery industry). Partners run Smart Specialisation Observatories. The Technotalenty Foundation is responsible for promoting science-business cooperation.
The leader coordinates the project and settles the budget, supporting the Partners substantively. The project is carried out by the Department of the Regional Innovation System of the Marshal’s Office, and its budget is EUR 3.7 million. The activities are supervised by the Project Team appointed by the Marshal. Each Partner employs a specialist responsible for the implementation of activities and cooperation with the Leader. The progress of the project is monitored at ongoing meetings, which serve to exchange experiences and opinions. Its budget is EUR 3.7 million.
The project is an investment in tools, processes, and competences, bringing lasting results in the regional innovation ecosystem.