S3 Community of Madrid Strategy (2021-2027)

The Madrid Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 (EM2I) defines the 2030 vision of the Community of Madrid in the field of research and innovation, specifying the strategic axes on which EM2I pivots to respond to the challenges facing the region in R&D policies and in relation to the digital and green transitions, territorial and social cohesion, and the inclusion of the gender perspective in all areas.

The EM2I reflects the commitment of the Community of Madrid to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations General Assembly in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also aligning itself with the objectives of the European Union for the new period 2021- 2027, related to:

• strengthening the scientific and technological bases and boosting the innovation, competitiveness and employment capacity of European regions (Horizon Europe)
• the challenges facing Europe and the world in relation to climate change and environmental degradation, the European Green Deal
• and with the objectives for the digital transformation of Europe, the Digital Decade 2030

Taking into account this strategic framework at the European level, its reflection at the national level, and the main socio-economic trends that have the greatest impact on the positioning of the Community of Madrid and the Madrid System for Research and Innovation (SM2I) as benchmarks in R+ D+i, a diagnosis of the same has been carried out (DAFO) that demands the accompaniment by a series of policies to promote R+D+i. These policies must create a stable context for the development of research and innovation, with broad strategic lines that provide traceability and that can accumulate sustained investment over a period of a decade. A dynamic strategy that must be adapted to the needs of the ecosystem and the national and international context, as well as the results of monitoring S3 and PRICIT.

The Community of Madrid is the main generating center of R&D in Spain and one of the most innovative regions of the country. According to the latest official data available (2019), the Community of Madrid was the first Autonomous Community of Spain in absolute investment in R&D and the second in R&D investment over GDP, being classified at a European level as a region of reference in innovation (strong innovator). It stands out in innovative technological sectors such as aerospace, the ICT sector, the materials sector, the energy sector, and the biotechnology sector. The equation is completed with a large Financial Hub, a large business services sector and the logistics sector.

In the field of knowledge, the CM is a region with important Universities and Research Institutes in different areas on the international scene. The level of internationalization of the SM2I is high, with a high participation and achievement of returns in European and national programs. The creation of Hubs and innovation poles has been promoted to favor the collaborative work of SM2I agents, the exchange of knowledge and the pooling of infrastructures and capacities.

The Community of Madrid in 2030 aspires to position itself as the reference Hub in Southern Europe in Research and Innovation. Its distinctive features will be:

• Place for the promotion and attraction of scientific, innovative and entrepreneurial talent (generation, retention, attraction, stabilization)
• International leadership in the generation and valorization of cutting-edge scientific and technological knowledge in the lines identified in its strategy
• A network of agents of the quadruple helix committed to the creation of quality employment at the service of the welfare and future of citizens
• With a competitive, digital, sustainable industry and advanced services based on innovation, a pole of attraction for start-ups

The S3 or Smart Specialization Strategy in Research and Innovation (Research and Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy) of the Community of Madrid for the new period 2021 - 2027, is based on the participatory and multilevel governance model already defined in the strategy and previous plans in the field of R&D&i (RIS3 2014-2020 and V PRICIT 2016 -2020), incorporating for this new period mechanisms that allow greater efficiency of the processes and the development of a continuous process of discovery of business opportunities (Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, PDE). The S3 Strategy addresses the economic and social crisis caused by the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and addresses the new period by addressing the green transition (Green Deal) and digital of the new Europe, in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

• S3 - Complete document.

• S3 - Supplementary documentation annexes.

The Strategy starts from a Diagnosis of the SM2i, its bottleneck and an analysis SWOT which are included in the section "Madrid R&I Ecosystem" [LINK] from which a Vision of the CM for 2030, referred to above, is defined. To do this, define some Strategic Axes:

• People and Capacities. - Training, retention and attraction of talent.
• Excellent Science. – as a support for new products and services in the market for society. Support for Scientific-Technological Infrastructures
• Collaboration and Valuation. - Support for cooperation, transfer and valorization between the agents of the quadruple helix (4H), and Internationalization
• Business leadership. - Promotion of innovation and competitiveness of companies and the creation of new EBTs
• Conscious Society. - Promotion of the participation of society in the 4H promoting a scientific, innovation and entrepreneurship culture among citizens.
• good governance. – Multilevel and inclusive governance of all SM2I agents, simplified, flexible and transparent in procedures

Based on the Vision, the Strategic Axes and the conclusions of the SWOT analysis, 6 major Strategic Objectives are defined for the S3:

In order to identify and characterize the Relevant scientific-technological lines for the future of the Community of Madrid in the medium and long term, a study of technological foresight. This is how they identified 250 Technologies/Fields of Application which were synthesized in 63 Scientific-Technological Lines and 5 Initiatives for Disruptive Innovation [Link to work]. From the intersection of this work with the capacities of the Madrid ecosystem, the vision for 2030, the paradigms of the new Europe, etc. They have been identified 6 Areas of Scientific and Technological Specialization

These areas of scientific-technological specialization are in accordance with the guidelines and activities of other ministries, more specifically:

Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Local Administration (European leadership and programs)

Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Interior

• Decarbonization and Environmental Care Plan
• Energy Strategy of the Community of Madrid Horizon 2030 (in preparation)
• Priority Action Framework (MAP) for the NATURA 2000 network in the Community of Madrid
• Territorial annex of the Community of Madrid in the Strategic Plan of Spain for the Common Agrarian Policy 2023-2027 of the European Union
• Sustainable Waste Management Strategy of the Community of Madrid
• Circular Economy Bill

Regional Department of Economy, Taxation and Employment

• Industrial Plan of the Community of Madrid

Digitization Department

• Digitalization Strategy of the Region 2023 - 2026

Ministry of Health

• Regional Plan for Comprehensive Care for Frailty and Promotion of Healthy Longevity

Ministry of Housing, Transport and Infrastructures

• Strategic Plan for Sustainable Mobility 2013-2025

Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Affairs

• Quality and Inspection Plan for Social Services of the Community of Madrid 2021-2022

These axes and these scientific-technological areas pivot around what is known as the process of discovering entrepreneurial opportunities or EDP ​​(Entrepreneurial Discovery Process). 

The Governance Model of the S3 Strategy is conceived as a key instrument to facilitate the deployment and implementation of the different programs, instruments and actions and their corresponding monitoring and follow-up. In this sense, it is intended to consolidate the participatory and multilevel governance model defined in previous plans (RIS3 and V PRICIT).

Within this Governance, the role of the Innovation Council should be highlighted, as impulse, monitoring and follow-up body from the S3. This would be made up of:

In order to monitor S3 and ensure compliance with the objectives set, a series of indicators are necessary to show the progress in achieving the objectives. To this end, a strategy monitoring and evaluation model has been implemented:

The CM S3 for the new period 2021 – 2027 is based on a set of works and documents that are referenced at the end of the S3 document, and which are also included here in the section “Documents of Interest".