National-regional governance of STI

In Romania, the governance of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) is centralised and overseen by the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitisation (MRID). This ministry is tasked with coordinating efforts in research, innovation, and digitalisation throughout the country. It formulates policies, manages funding allocations, and supervises the execution of programmes designed to advance scientific research, technological progress, and innovation across various sectors. Apart from the MRID, other entities play key roles in STI governance, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism (in terms of EU fund disbursement, rather than policy formulation), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, the Romanian Academy, and Regional Development Agencies (ADRs). Additionally, Romania has the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development, and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI). This agency serves as the executive arm for several councils and bodies and is responsible for coordinating the implementation of National R&D Plans. The Ministry of Investments and European Projects is the body responsible for disbursing R&I related investments under Cohesion policy national programmes.

National and regional S3s: organisation and governance

In Romania, the governance of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) occurs at both national and regional levels. The main body ensuring the multi-level governance of Romanian S3 system is the Coordination Committee for Smart Specialisation (CCSS) that is the national, partnership-type structure with the coordinators of the national and regional S3, the line ministries responsible for public policies relevant to SS and the departments responsible for the implementation of the national RDI programs. Nationally, the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitisation (MRID) spearheads the development of the National Strategy for Research, Innovation, and Smart Specialisation (SNCISI). The MRID also acts as an intermediary research entity for the Smart Growth, Digitisation, and Financial Instruments Programme. The National Strategy for Research, Innovation, and Smart Specialisation focuses on four main objectives: enhancing the RDI system, fostering innovation ecosystems linked to smart specialisations, promoting innovation mobilisation, and enhancing European and international collaboration. At the regional level, Smart Specialisation Strategies are governed by 8 Regional Development Agencies (ADRs). These agencies, such as ADR Nord Est, ADR Sud Est, ADR Sud-Muntenia, ADR Sud-Vest Oltenia, ADR Vest, ADR Nord-Vest, ADR Centru, and ADR București-Ilfov, are responsible for drafting and implementing Regional Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). ADRs undertake planning and programming functions at the regional level, including drafting regional development plans and programs and managing regional operational programs for the period 2022-2027. To ensure alignment of smart specialisation strategies, regional strategies align with the objectives of the SNCISI, with the flexibility to incorporate complementary objectives and activities stemming from regional development visions. In addition, regional operational programs set specific targets and indicators, aligned with RIS3 targets and indicators, to contribute to national indicators and targets. Finally, national smart specialisation areas are updated with input from regional and national entrepreneurial discovery processes.

For information on regional S3s, please return to the homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/assets/s3-observatory/index_en.html