RegioStars 2016 - Project #176
Step 1: Summary of information
Project ID
176
Status
SUBMITTED
Language
EN
Project Title
(Max 100 characters)
CROSSROADS
Select your project category
SMART GROWTH
Region
INTERREG VLAANDEREN-NEDERLAND
Member State
Belgium & The Netherlands
Which EU Fund supported the project
(Tick as appropriate)
European Regional Development Fund
Programme Name
INTERREG IV-A VLAANDEREN-NEDERLAND (FLANDERS – THE
NETHERLANDS)
Start date of the Project (MM/YY)
01/07/2010
(Starting date must be after 01-01-2008)
End date of the Project (MM/YY)
31/12/2014
Programming period
2007 - 2013
Funding sources of the project in euro
(Enter value "0" if not applicable)
RegioStars 2016 - Project #176
EU funds
3724599.00 €
National public
1855534.00 €
National private
3653680.00 €
Total
9233813.00 €
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RegioStars 2016 - Project #176
Step 2: Contact details
Managing Authority (or National or Regional authority responsible for managing
the relevant EU funded programme):
Managing Authority
Provincie Antwerpen
Contact person
Mr. Pieter, SOETEWEY
Country
Belgium
Town
Antwerpen
Address
KONINGIN ELIZABETHLEI 22, B-2018
Tel
+32 (0) 32405676
E-mail
[email protected]
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest,
etc.)
Project management
Name of the organisation
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)
Contact person
Mr. Dick, DE JAGER
Country
Netherlands
Town
Tilburg
Address
Goirleseweg 15
Tel
+31 (0)6 52 63 33 05
E-mail
[email protected]
Website
WWW.CROSSROADSPROJECT.EU
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
Pinterest, etc.)
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RegioStars 2016 - Project #176
Step 3: Summary description
Summary description of the project.(maximum 2000 characters with
spaces).GUIDANCE: Please keep in mind that your project description should be
clearly related to the selected category.
CrossRoads was a highly successful project that stimulated innovation by promoting
sustainable cooperation between companies and research- and education institute. These
innovations made use of new and innovative technologies which resulted in numerous new
sustainable products and processes that could directly be introduced into the market. The
focus was on 5 so called emerging `crossroad technologies´ that can be used across different
sectors. Innovating processes and exchanging ideas are a key requisite to further develop
these technologies. As the region was the first to establish this network of ideas and
innovations it had a head start on other high-tech regions. The project thus gave a significant
stimulus to the economy of the region. CrossRoads did this by organising 25 crossborder
innovation projects, 13 feasibility studies and 40 experiments. It involved 150 companies
which shows the strong demand for the project. The majority of the companies indicated in an
evaluation after the project ended that CrossRoads had a clear added value for the field. On
top of that Crossroads supported several companies in setting up new and profitable
products. The project had a lasting economic impact, as these companies created new jobs
that can be filled by the many students that benefited from CrossRoads other focus:
education. By involving education institutes in the experiments and feasibility studies a large
group of students now have a unique skillset that can be used to further develop the industry.
CrossRoads also created a lasting network of connections across the border. Forging these
connections is of course the most important task of the Interreg program and projects like
CrossRoads are a great way of reaching this goal. This is especially significant when looking
at the different comparative advantages of companies and education facilities in Flanders and
the Netherlands, which combined give an extra impetus to the industry as well as the region
as a whole.
Key objectives
The goal of the CrossRoads project was to:
• 1) Develop transnational high-value innovation and demonstration projects in the field of so
called ‘crossroads technologies’;
• 2) This would create non-conventional crossborder cooperation and networks between
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companies and education facilities within the region;
• 3) Additionally this would create innovative ideas in the produce sector and boost the
regional economy and education.
Describe how they have been met
In specific numbers, the project’s goal was to:
• 1) Generate 100 new innovation ideas and test 40 of them for market suitability.
• 2) Create 20 crossborder innovation projects with both production companies and education
institutes.
• 3) Set up 15 crossborder experiments with students to prepare or facilitate innovation
projects.
• The results were as follows:
• In total there were almost 100 new innovation ideas;
• of which 13 have been tested for market suitability/feasibility;
• 53 innovation projects were submitted of which 25 were admitted;
• In total there were 40 cross-border experiments. The results of the project are in
accordance with the expectations and on a number of points even better. There has been as
much crosspollination as possible and the trans-border aspect also created extra benefits for
the projects and experiments. It turned out that there was a strong demand for the kind of
innovation instrument CrossRoads provides. The euregional network of innovation SME’s and
education facilities has been reinforced and expanded and almost all of the projects resulted
in useful and sustainable products and processes.
What was the strategic context of the project?(maximum 2000 characters with
spaces).GUIDANCE: This may include references to the socio economic context,
relevant national or regional strategies (e.g. urban development, smart
specialisation, etc.) and references to synergies between EU and national
programmes or schemes (e.g. EAFRD, EMFF, CIP/COSME, LIFE, FP56/7/Horizon
2020, MEDIA, Erasmus, EIT/KICs, other)
The areas on either side of the border have a lot of expertise and economic activity related to
technological and process innovation. On top of that they have different specializations, and
bringing these together creates new opportunities, ideas and in turn a significant boost to the
combined economy. Education facilities like Universities can now combine their expertise and
acquire more in depth knowledge. Businesses that were working in the same sector but on
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different sides of the border are now able to join forces. The cross border element has proven
to be an indispensable aspect for the success of this project as well as the resulting network
and innovations. As such the border went from a barrier to an opportunity. Another strategic
context is the competition with other high tech regions in Europe and beyond. Traditionally
Flanders and the Netherlands have been one of the most innovative and affluent regions in
Europe. In this tradition the two countries have been investing in a knowledge economy
based on the kind of innovative ideas and processes that CrossRoads aims to develop further.
The thematic focus of the Crossroads project (choosing specific technologies to stimulate
innovation in areas like remote diagnostics, embedded vision, etc., because in these domains
the chances to further develop the Dutch and Flemish border region are large) can be
considered a form of 'smart specialization' 'avant la lettre', for a crossborder region. In
Interreg V, the Dutch-Flemish regions have built on Crossroads (and other successful projects
and initiatives, to further incorporate the concept of 'crossborder smart specialization' in the
Interreg Cooperation Program itself, choosing several sectors and domains as focus for the
innovation priorities within the program (for example high tech, biobased economy, ...). In a
sense, the Crossroads project thus inspired the new program.
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Step 4: Summary description
Highlight the innovative character of the project.(maximum 2000 characters with
spaces).GUIDANCE: The innovative character can be linked to technology, process,
service or organisational innovations. It may also be that the activity is innovative
in the particular territorial context.
CrossRoads’ main goal was innovation in several upcoming sectors linked to technology and
process. These innovations range from the development of new techniques, products,
processes and technologies to the exchanging of ideas on different subjects. The use and
combination of the 5 different crossroads technologies is a further innovation as in normal
circumstances these technologies would not come together. Businesses from different sectors
worked together which created new possibilities for the creation of new ideas and products.
The second aspect of innovation can be found in the forging of new connections that have
value in and of themselves, rather than just as a tool to create new ideas and technologies.
They create lasting bonds and organisational structures that cross borders and bring different
institutes and people together. The resulting network results in even more innovations in the
future. This not only helps to grow and expand the high tech sector, but also the companies,
students, professionals and government institutes that take part in the project. An example of
an innovation that was realised within CrossRoads was a project called ‘Spinal’. It did
research into the possibility to maintain spinal mobility after back surgeries. Normally these
surgeries either remove or stiffen part of a vertebra which greatly reduces spinal mobility.
‘Spinal’ did research into the possibility to put an implant in place that stimulates natural
bone growth. It developed a prototype made of metal dross, a porous material that the body
would see as natural and won’t reject. This prototype could replace the metal screws that are
now commonly used to do these procedures. The project will be further developed in Interreg
V as a regular project (total investment approx.
4. 5 mln €) by a large consortium of high profile medical and education centres. The aim is to
start clinical testing within 3 years.
What has been the impact of the project in the country, region, locality or urban
area?What are the activities and results that can be attributed to the initiative, i.e.
which would not have happened without it? Are there new (business) activities
emerging from the project?(maximum 2000 characters with spaces).GUIDANCE: It
will clearly be easier for the Jury to appreciate the results / impacts of the project
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where there is quantified information on the key indicators related to the
objectives. Other qualitative benefits can of course also be mentioned. It may also
be shown through evidence that the knowledge acquired or lessons learned are
being applied by other organisations or successor projects.
As can be seen in the first included graph (see annexes), the CrossRoads project resulted in
about 25 separate innovation projects, almost of all of which reached the market stage (and
the majority of the companies is still investing post-subsidy). In the second graph the revenue
of 12 of these projects are outlined (the red line indicates the revenue without one large
outlier, Parbel Monitor). The projection of the total expected revenue shows that the projects
will retain a significant growth well into the next decade. Especially the project Parbel Monitor
has resulted in a significant and sustainable growth of revenue. It should be added that the
total business value far exceeds the initial subsidy. While the amount of people working
across the border has not been measured, the final graph shows the extra created
employment calculated in by each of the five fields. The total estimation of created jobs is
about 150 Full Time Equivalents (FTE.) While this is a mere estimation, it is clear that a
significant amount of new jobs has been created by CrossRoads and because of the crossborder element of the project it is highly likely that many of these jobs will result in workers
working across the border. Because of the success of CrossRoads it will be succeeded by the
CrossRoads 2 project. The second version will take the lessons learned from the first and will
build on the network created. Some of the partners involved in the first CrossRoads will
continue in the second. The success of CrossRoads has also inspired other projects with the
same goal of bringing together businesses, education facilities and different sectors to create
new opportunities and ideas. Two examples of these are the Cross Border Cluster Stimulation
(GCS) in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion, and the CrossCare project in Interreg V FlandersNetherlands which focusses specifically on innovation and cooperation in the medical sector.
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Step 5: Summary description
What is the approach for ensuring financial sustainability of the project after the
end of the EU-financed support?(maximum 2000 characters with
spaces).GUIDANCE: Sustainability can be understood in terms of potential or
realised self financing, private financing or the likelihood of securing further public
support, e.g. for running and maintenance cost (depending on the nature of the
projects). If not applicable (e.g. for Category 5), please indicate.
As has become clear from the graphs in the previous section, many of the innovation projects
are currently still on-going and have returned their initial investment. CrossRoads has
resulted in the creation of new businesses that are fully self-sustaining and give a boost the
local and regional economy. The innovations themselves and the network created are lasting
benefits to the region as well, creating growth, employment and education. Private financing
took on an important role in the CrossRoads project as many of the projects did not apply for
the highest possible subsidy of €
150. 000 and contributions from the partners often exceeded the subsidy. As such the
existing projects don’t need any future financial support. The CrossRoads 2 project will
increase the number of projects and build on the results and lessons from the first
CrossRoads project, which shows that the outcome of the projects will contribute to further
innovation and economic growth supported by Crossroads
2. One project, Parbel Monitor, is estimated to have a business value of €200 mln. in
2020. The initial subsidy was only €
150. 000!
Describe the partnership and how it worked. Is there an inter-regional
dimension?(maximum 2000 characters with spaces).GUIDANCE: Partnership can be
important both in terms of influencing the design, ownership and implementation
of the project but also in terms of accumulating learning and generating concensus
on policy priorities
In a sense CrossRoads was an intermediary between Interreg and the various SME’s and
education facilities that participated and received subsidy. This shows that the set-up of
CrossRoads is a good way to reach SME’s and forge networks among them and with
education facilities. This inclusion and support of SME’s is something the Commissions strives
for and the fact that CrossRoads does this is a good example for future projects. The
interregional dimension of CrossRoads was an obligation sine qua non. Without it the projects
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would not receive any subsidy. This resulted in the fact that all the projects had participants
from both sides of the border, be it businesses, universities or otherwise. An evaluation held
among the participants in CrossRoads reported that almost all the partners agreed that this
crossborder element was of great value to the project(s) they were participating in. In many
cases the crossborder element was crucial: without it the innovation project could not have
taken place. Another innovative element is the introduction – by the Interreg-program – of the
“Project Partner Light (PPL) – beneficiary”. For CrossRoads the program allowed new
beneficiaries (i.e. firms, specifically innovative SME) to join the partnership during the project
implementation (for example to be a partner for one year halfway the project). This was
designed to make it easier for smaller organizations like SME to participate in a project like
CrossRoads without having to comply with all the administrative burden and costs that
regular partners experience. “PPL”-participation allows for the inclusion of partners after the
approval of the project itself, which creates much more flexibility and increases the
attractiveness for small businesses. This proved to be a good way to include more SME’s in
the project and in the program and will be used more often in Interreg V.
Is an evaluation or audit report available?
YES
No need to provide it at this stage. If one is available please summarise the main
messages resulting from it.
Both an extensive evaluation and several audit reports (second level control reports) are
available. The evaluation has been used to write this application, specifically point 7.5. The
last audit report, covering the largest amount of certified costs (approx. €4.000.000) made
the following conclusions: 1) The project meets the selection criteria of the operational
program. 2) The goal of the project (creating new and lasting cooperation between the
different organizations) is hard to measure in the short term. This will have to be seen in the
future. 3) The execution of the project is in accordance with the application and the
agreement between the managing authority and the project management. 4) The
requirements in the project approval have been respected. 5) 0€ of the certified costs have
been repealed by the audit.
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Step 6: Upload pictures
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Step 7: Validation
Upload document.
By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is
factually correct and that the proposed project has not been proposed for the
RegioStars Awards before and that it has not been subject to any type of
investigation for irregularities or fraud.
RegioStars 2016 - Project #176
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