Øresund Science Region: Number One in the EU RegioStars Award

One of this year's prestigious RegioStars Awards handed out by the EU goes to the Danish-Swedish cross-border partnership Øresund Science Region for the innovative regional development projects that support sustainable regional development and a knowledge based regional econo my. According to the jury, Øresund Science Region sets an example to the entire European union with the practicing of the unique triple helix model.

RegioStars Awards is a celebration of Europe's most innovative regional projects. Øresund Science Region was awarded in the category "Supporting clusters and business networks" and 70 projects from all over Europe competed for the award. When choosing Øresund Science Region as the winner, the jury said:

- This project has had real impact and has overcome language, legislative and physical barriers by building inter-regional partnerships that have previously been non-existent. It is an excellent example of a bottom-up triple helix approach. The project has a good administrative foundation, good working partnerships and is a good example of successful networking.

Jerker Swanstein, Chairman of the Øresund Committee and Chairman of Region Skåne, comments on the award:

- The interplay works real well, according to the European experts, both between the three partners as well as across the Sound, this to the benefit of development in the Öresund region. We also see how the EU has appreciated the work carried out by the Öresund Science Region within the European Regional Development Fund. We have now laid the foundation for a continued development in the course of being one of Europe's absolute leading regions, when it comes to knowledge and innovation. We are going to be working further together at a great rate.

Øresund Science Region is a cross-border partnership between Denmark and Sweden. Six innovative platforms bring together regional authorities, businesses and universities from both sides of the border, working on life science, food, logistics, environment, IT and design. The platform within life science is Medicon Valley Alliance.

About RegioStars Award

The objective of the RegioStars - The Awards for Innovative Projects - is to identify good practices in regional development and to highlight original and innovative projects which could be attractive and inspiring to other regions. The criteria for the 2008 awards were:

• Innovative character of the project in the regional context
• Potential impact on the regional economy
• Expected sustainability of the project
• Project's results in enhancing local, regional and interregional partnerships

Read more about the award here.

Source: Press release, Lund University, 26.02.2008