The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government

Supporting the regions. Strengthening Switzerland. The New Regional Policy supports During the first programme period mountain and rural areas and border regions (2008 to 2015), the Federal Government The with their efforts to adapt to the require- and the cantons funded more than ments of the global economy. 1800 projects within the framework of NRP the New Regional Policy. Entrepreneurship Competitiveness Regional in 2 minutes Innovation Jobs of the regions disparities Value creation

Supporting Promote Improve Create Reduce The regions focus on their existing economic strengths. the regions. Not all regions develop at the same pace in all economic Strengthening sectors. Switzerland

The Federal Government and the cantons work hand in glove. When implementing their programmes, the cantons guarantee a level of financial A look across the fence: participation equal to that of Cross-border projects can The Federal Government the Federal Government. supports the initial phase also be initiated. of a project. The regions and project sponsors are then responsible for ensuring the project’s long-term Rural regions need strong success. centres. The New Regional Policy enables the type of cooperation and partnerships needed for this.

The Federal Government supports economically relevant projects that focus on areas in which there is in fact demand in the economy. For the period 2016 – 2019 (and including the Tour ism Impulse Programme), The 2016 – 2023 programme The federal offices responsible approximately chf 210 million is phase focuses on support for regional development work clo- available as a non-repayable for projects in the industrial sely together. This ensures that subsidy, while chf 400 million is and tourism sectors. Other the various measures taken by the The Federal Government sup- available in the form of loans. issues are also addressed. individual federal agencies com- ports regional stakeholders with plement rather than interfere with an extensive range of continuing one another. education and training pro- grammes and the provision of relevant information. What makes Switzerland special? Prosperous cities like Contents Geneva, Basel or Zurich? Certainly not just that: Switzerland

1 Editorial is also a country of imaginative people and dynamic com­ panies – not to mention a variety of landscapes and habitats. 2 Overview Switzerland is varied, innovative, surprising and perfectly 4 The NRP works! connected to the rest of the world. Basically, it’s a country that 6 The Federal Government and the cantons offers a high­quality living and working environment made

8 The NRP focuses on innovative projects possible by the resourcefulness of hard­working Swiss people Editorial who strive to improve and develop their regions and make 10 AGIRE Foundation them more competitive and sustainable. Such individuals 14 DEPsys strengthen the resilience of their regions against external eco­ Federal Councillor 18 ALPlastics ETC project Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, nomic shocks and are unrelenting in their efforts to ensure Head of the Federal Department 19 Strengthening the Swiss tourism industry that our country continues to occupy a leading position in the of Economic Affairs, Education international competitive field. The New Regional Policy 20 Gästival in Central Switzerland and Research (eaer) (NRP) of the Federal Government offers assistance for those 24 Absinth­Museum endeavours.

25 Grimentz­Zinal

26 Mia Engiadina At the same time, conditions throughout Switzerland vary from region to region, which is why the NRP focuses 30 Textilland Ostschweiz primarily on mountain and other rural areas, as well as border 31 Employee Sharing regions. The NRP has intentionally been designed to be 32 When 1 + 1 equals more than 2 flexible. The Federal Government and the cantons promote

33 Model projects the implementation of ideas and projects for strengthening regional economies in line with the needs of each region. 34 Agenda 2030 for Grisons There is no lack of ideas here either – and all of them are 36 Creating and sharing knowledge based on the same philosophy, namely that a region worth 38 The point of view of the cantons living in must not only be physically attractive but also eco­ nomically dynamic. The NRP is an indispensable instru­ ment that the Federal Government can utilise to promote such dynamic development.

A big thanks to everyone who is working to strengthen our regions and thus our country as well. Good luck and much success!

Cover: Dr. Marianne Janik (right), CEO of Microsoft Switzerland, and Martina Hänzi, Managing Director of Engadin Booking, Scuol

1 Overview With the New Regional Policy, the Federal Govern­ The three NRP Creation of synergies ment and the cantons are supporting mountain Accompanying objective: This objectives ensures that the Federal Gov­ and other rural areas and border regions with their ernment can more closely align regional policy with other federal efforts to develop their regional economies. The Promotion of innovation policies related to spatial devel­ NRP entered its second eight­year funding period in opment, and thus enable better Economic This objective is the main pillar of the NRP: It involves the cooperation in this regard. boost for 2016. The focus during this period is on suppor­ provision of direct financial assistance in order to enable the implementation of suitable projects and programmes. 32 the regions ting regional innovation and the structural transfor­ This also includes funding for Switzerland’s participation in mation of the tourism industry. cross­border EU programmes, in particular Interreg. The NRP also provides funding for inter­cantonal Regional Inno­ vation Systems (RIS) that support the establishment of Sharing of knowledge networks for businesses, educational institutions, research The “regiosuisse” network institutes and the public sector. The NRP also offers tax unit for regional development The regions are facing Digitisation, the strong breaks to industrial companies and service providers whose operates a knowledge platform increasing challenges outside franc, climate change and the business is closely linked to industrial production. This that supports the individuals major cities Second Home Initiative helps ensure that the Federal Government can support the responsible for implementing Mountain regions and other rural areas Digitisation is influencing the structural creation of new types of jobs in innovative fields in struc ­ the NRP in the cantons and are home to outstanding industrial compa­ transformation and economic growth in Swit­ turally weak regional centres. regions. nies and commercial enterprises, as well zerland in a big way. Individual companies as excellent tourist destinations and tourism are able to benefit from the associated efficiency 8 36 companies. At the same time, these regions gains and cost reductions, and both product have faced an increasingly difficult eco­ quality and customer value can be expected nomic environment over the last few years, to increase. However, the need for investment whereby the economic difficulties have should not be underestimated. The world revealed various weaknesses: of work will also change dramatically. It can be assumed that the new technologies will ini­ a lower level of technological innovation Five support objectives – two thematic areas tially establish themselves in the major econo­ (in terms of products, services, pro­ mic centres and that the regions targeted by duction processes) than is the case in the NRP will therefore fall behind. Promotion of Implementation Furtherdevelop- Closure and Safeguarding the major economic centres, The discontinuation of the exchange innovation and of regional training ment of cross- extension of infrastructure/ numerous traditional businesses the transfer and qualification company networks of value chains creation of new rate floor for the euro has further exacerbated whose existence is in jeopardy over the of knowledge measures and partnerships infrastructure Switzerland’s position as an “island of high medium term, prices”. Along with industrial and commercial in many cases: problems accessing enterprises, this has also affected the tour­ Industry 10 AGIRE 18 ALPlastics the knowledge gained at universities ism sector in particular. Numerous transport 14 DEPsys and research institutes. systems and hotels are not sufficiently pro­ The NRP also focuses on border regions. These fitable, which is why the funds needed to make regions benefit from the labour, supplier sustainable upgrades are often unavailable. and sales markets across their borders, but Climate change is also becoming increasingly Tourism 31 Employee 20 Gästival 26 Mia Engiadina 24 Absinthe Museum they also have to deal with competition noticeable, and this has led to costly follow­ Sharing 30 Textilland 25 Grimentz-Zinal from their cross­border counterparts, as well up investments, among other things for artifi­ Ostschweiz as additional administrative requirements. cial snow­making systems. Finally, the imple­ This leads to shopping tourism and the trans­ mentation of the Second Home Initiative must fer of production capacities. be effectively managed economically.

2 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 3 Between 2008 and 2015, the Federal Government Economic effects and more Example: Bern The NRP It is not easy to reliably measure employment and value creation effects and the cantons funded more than 1800 NRP projects Based on the informa - at the programme level because the impact of the projects is indirect. works! tion provided by project with non­repayable subsidies and loans. The Federal In addition, numerous external factors that cannot be influenced (e.g. the organisers, the Canton strength of the franc) also make it difficult to identify the exact causes of Bern expects to see the Government provided approximately CHF 250 million of specific effects. What remains undisputed is the fact that NRP projects following effects for the create new types of partnerships, prompt the establishment of inno­ period 2012 – 15: in subsidies and just under CHF 320 million as inter­ 135 projects safeguard Substantial vative business models and can trigger a spirit of optimism in the regions 1400 jobs and thus leverage est­free or low­interest loans for projects and accom­ and beyond. a potential revenue increase of chf 152 mil- effect panying measures. lion per year. 10 AGIRE 14 DEPSys 20 Gästival 26 Mia Engiadina

Federal Government Cantons and other sources The focus on effects is being further strengthened during the programme CHF 750 million Example: Western period 2016 – 2019. Switzerland The Federal Government sets the overriding goals at the national level as Subsidies regards the desired effects, and the cantons use these goals to derive impact A study conducted with CHF 250 million models for specific programmes. The project organisers then explain how smes in cantons in Western Switzerland on their projects can help achieve these goals. inter-cantonal innova- tion-support programmes ×3 revealed 70% satisfaction with services for “Coach- ing and Technology Consulting”. CHF 1.28 billion

In the case of the subsidies, each Swiss franc pro- Distribution of funds by vided by the Fed- Loans economic sector in the eral Government is CHF 320 million period 2008 – 2015 matched by three Subsidies Loans francs from the cantons and other sources; the ratio e f × g c d in the case of loans 4 a f is 1:4. a Industry e d b Tourism c c Education/health Greater competitiveness d Agriculture a e Energy A detailed analysis of the economic effects of exemplary projects showed f Natural resources a substantial increase in jobs resulting from the NRP in some cases, whereby g Other Interreg this job growth was significant in the regional context. The external eva­ b b luation of the multi­year programme for 2008 – 2015 was also positive over­ all. The benefits of the NRP and its instruments were acknowledged.

4 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 5 The Federal Government and the cantons work Joint tasks for the The Federal Federal Government/cantons together to shape and implement the NRP. The Fed­ Govern- eral Government defines the political framework and the general direction. The cantons define Federal Government The Federal Government Cantons ment and and the cantons the cantons the main areas of focus for their programmes and select the projects to be funded. The NRP pro­ Message to Development of the Development and The cantons grammes are financed jointly. parliament multi-year programme initiation of implemen- give the nrp tation programmes Implementation Negotiations on of the multi-year programme agreements its particular arliament sets the legal framework, approves funding and defines the P programme Incorporation of focus of the content of the multi­year programme, which is implemented by regional input character Reporting the Federal Government. The cantons define the main areas to be funded Reports to and decide which projects will be supported. They also decide on the extent parliament to which funds from the Federal Government and the canton in question Project selection and Communication monitoring are to be used within the given financial framework. The cantons also serve as the contact point for all questions related to project funding. Most cantons work closely with the regions on all of the above­mentioned aspects. The Federal Government and the cantons provide financing jointly, whereby the cantons provide at least the same level of financing for their programmes as the Federal Government contributes. All of this ensures that those projects 4 The NRP works! that meet actual needs are implemented at the cantonal level. Projects are funded on the basis of the cantons’ implementation programmes, each of which includes information on the main areas of focus for NRP fund­ ing over a four­year period. The programmes are based on cantonal economic Impact models Distribution strategies and take into account the general framework defined by the Federal describe the connec- Government. In some cases, several cantons submit an inter­cantonal or of funds by canton SH tions between goals as a percentage cross­border implementation programme – for example, to support innovation. BS TG and actual results. (during the period The cantons and the Federal Government then use the implementation Christoph Brutschin, President of 2016 – 2019) BL AG ZH programmes as a basis for specific goal agreements. Impact models are utilised JU AR the Conference of Cantonal AI to manage and evaluate the associated programmes and projects. These Directors of Economic Affairs SO SG models describe the connections between goals, projects and project effects. (VDK) ZG LU SZ NE GL NW BE Exchange between the Federal Government OW and the cantons UR FR GR VD The cantons submit annual reports to the Federal Government on projects, 0 to < 2 the manner in which funds are being utilised and the extent to which goals have been achieved. The cantons then produce a comprehensive final report at the 2 to < 4 TI end of the four­year period. 4 to < 6 GE VS This information is used by the Federal Government to manage and 6 to < 8 evaluate the NRP as a whole, monitor its impact, generate value from its results and make adjustments where needed. The knowledge gained through the 8 to < 10 implementation measures is used directly by the Federal Government and the 10 and higher cantons and is also incorporated into the products from the “regiosuisse” network. 36 Sharing of knowledge

6 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 7 The NRP focuses on Improving regional innovative projects economic performance:

New processes, initiatives, programmes and infrastructure projects receive direct funding. Innovation is a key factor of competitiveness, which is why knowledge transfer and support for innovation are given high priority. The focus here is on industry – particularly the Regional Innovation ris Basel-Jura Systems (RIS) – and tourism. ris Ost

The NRP addresses five support objectives: Interreg/ETC ris Central zentralschweiz Promotion of innovation and the transfer of knowledge European Territorial Coopera- Switzerland Implementation of regional training and qualification measures tion (ETC) is a component of EU innovativ regional policy. The fifth ETC Further development of cross­company networks and period started in 2014 and will partnerships end in 2020. The focus of fund- ris Western Closure and extension of value chains ing is defined in the European Switzerland Safeguarding of infrastructure / creation of new infrastructure programmes, whose structure in Switzerland is also determined The projects for industry and tourism presented here as examples by the regional Interreg coor- Sistema regionale dinators. The programmes sup- show how the support objectives, which apply equally to all dell'innovazione thematic areas, are actually implemented. Naturally, several differ­ port cross-border projects, which may also receive funding via ent support objectives can also be applied to a single project. the NRP if they can improve the competitiveness of the regions in question. Innovation and the transfer of knowledge SMEs in metropolitan areas benefit from their proximity to 18 ALPlastics upstream and downstream businesses, a diverse labour and sales market and high­quality educational and research institutions. SMEs in rural regions are often disadvantaged in this regard. The NRP strengthens regional value creation primarily by ensuring the transfer of knowledge and the promotion of innovation. For Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) relate to func­ being utilised in Switzerland. It is difficult for start­ example, the “Agire” innovation agency in Ticino presents inno­ tional (generally inter­cantonal and in some cases ups and SMEs to maintain an overview of these vation opportunities to SMEs. It also provides them with contacts cross­border) economic zones in which the key instruments and determine which types of funding and assistance with specific projects. Coaching for start­ups: drivers of innovation cooperate with one another are available. The Regional Innovation Systems DEPsys shows how support programmes can enable a young com­ in networks. Project sponsors develop regional consolidate all innovation­support activities and pany to network quickly and in a targeted manner, establish innov ation strategies and customised support pack­ also connect SMEs with other sources of funding new contacts, create strategic foundations and thus obtain venture ages for SMEs and align these with other pro­ and assistance if necessary (“no wrong door”). capital more easily. grammes such as the CTI (from 2018: Innosuisse) This critical mass enables the RIS organisations to knowledge and technology transfer programme or increase the quality, professionalism and visibility of 10 AGIRE 14 DEPsys programmes that promote exports. the programmes. It also ensures more efficient Well over 100 cantonal, regional and national use of funds. instruments for promoting innovation are currently

8 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 9 AGIRE Foundation Strengthening the economy in the southern regions

Ticino (Manno, Chiasso)

Since 2011

NRP contribution (Federal Government and canton): CHF 5.5 million

The AGIRE Foundation coordi­ nates the Regional Innovation System (RIS) for Southern Switzer­ land within the framework of a cantonal mandate. This RIS is one of six such organisations in Switzerland. AGIRE is headquar­ tered in the Tecnopolo Ticino technology park in Manno. It supports SMEs and young com­ panies in Ticino and the Italian­ speaking parts of Grisons. AGIRE Goals also conducts partnerships with research institutes and tech­ To strengthen the nology parks in border regions innovative environment and ecosystem in South- in Italy. The foundation is ern Switzerland responsible for managing and To promote the transfer expanding the Tecnopolo Ticino of technology and know- technology park. It provides ledge between companies support to regional companies and leading scientific in the area of knowledge and institutes in Switzerland technology transfer and it assists and other countries such companies in their search To support the devel- for partners and employees. opment and international growth of innovative In addition, the foundation helps start-ups companies protect their intel­ lectual property and gain access to new technologies. Among

10 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 11 other things, the foundation’s technology We’ve accomplished a great deal over the last The consultants have helped establish net­ few years in terms of providing support to start-ups works between companies and research smss and start-ups in Southern Switzerland. As speak centres, whereby this resulted in the I look towards the future, I hope that all creation of 35 innovation projects at the stakeholders will develop a common under- national and European level in 2016. These standing of how the system for supporting inno- projects led to investments of several vation works so that we can all pursue the million francs for the development of inno­ same goals over the long term. The Tecnopolo vative products in the region and also Ticino technology park offers an outstand - served to strengthen ties to RIS partners ing example of this approach. in Switzerland and abroad. In addition, Giambattista Ravano, President of the AGIRE Foundation the foundation’s innovation portal (www.ti.ch/sri) serves as a regional gate­ way that offers companies a complete overview of innovation­funding pro­ Results grammes at all levels. “Anyone involved 49 start-ups in two tech- with innovation in Southern Switzer­ nology parks land, whether as an SME or a start­up, Initiation of national knows that AGIRE is a reliable partner,” and international research says Stefano Rizzi, Director of the Division programmes for for Economic Affairs of Ticino and Vice 35 companie s in 2016 President of AGIRE. One of the key factors Exemplary of success here relates to the fact that all relevant stakeholders were involved in Exemplary preliminary process and establishment the creation of the RIS. of a ris. Effective incorpo- www.agire.ch ration of universities. AGIRE Foundation

The AGIRE Foundation creates net- The 49 start-ups (by economic sector) The Tecnopolo is an This doesn’t happen in Tecnopolo is a location works between business, academic and ideal location for us. The most places: I bumped that meets the needs networks with the Uni- into an investor just ten of my company. The infra - institutional stakeholders and in this Cleantech/ manner strengthens an innovative eco- energy versity and the University metres outside my office structure, office space Consulting, of Applied Sciences are and we started talking. and surrounding area all system both within Ticino and out- investment funds 3 important to us, as is the Today, we are a member leave nothing to be side the canton. It coordinates inter- 5 exchange of ideas with of NetComm Suisse. desired. I consider my- cantonal and cross-border programmes other companies. As a The Tecnopolo is a great self lucky to be able to with the canton of Grisons and regions Web, media, High-tech/ software, technology company, we place to meet all kinds work together with other in northern Italy and also operates industrial e-commerce would like to be able to of people. It’s just a shame young and innovative the Tecnopolo Ticino technology park, gain more direct access to that they don’t have companies. which offers coaching services and 7 19 large tech corporations more networking events Michela Sormani, such as Swisscom. here. office space to start-ups. Along with the founder of Enermi – location in Manno, AGIRE also ope- Pietro Casati, Didier Colot, Solutions for a rates a Tecnopolo in Chiasso for digital CEO DAC System – Head of Sales Central Europe, Sustainable Future start-ups. In addition, AGIRE is now Monitoring Systems Ubiquity Int. SA – Global Life science, constructing a medical technology medical Messaging Platform facility in Lugano and plans to build new office space for biomedical start-ups in 15 Bellinzona.

12 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 13 DEPsys

From Puidoux to the world market

Puidoux (VD)

2013 – 2015

Coaching Platinn 80 h

Smart, optimistic and full of vigour – this is what comes to mind when one thinks about young entrepreneurs. Michael de Vivo, Guillaume Besson and Joël Jaton studied together at the School of Engineering and Manage­ ment Vaud and then launched DEPsys AG at the Y­Parc tech­ nology park. The start­up devel­ oped the GridEye device for man­ aging electricity networks. GridEye is a nondescript box that is installed in power grids (e.g. in transformer units), where it detects voltage fluctuations in real­time and then compensates for them. It thus enables power companies to manage their elec­ tricity supply quickly, continuously Goals and efficiently. The increase in To become the market electricity generated from renew­ leader for smart-grid con- able sources such as the sun trol devices and wind is making such products To enter into new inter- crucial for ensuring a stable power national markets grid. DEPsys is considered to To grow as a team and be a great source of hope for the double the company’s future. The company succeeded workforce in raising CHF 3 million in venture

14 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 15 capital from three specialised investment Results funds in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, DEPsys GridEye – moved to Puidoux (above the Lavaux), which 13 jobs, mainly for the intelligent has relatively low rents and good transport engineers and it special- grid monitor ists, as well as for market- networks. In April 2017, DEPSys entered ing and administration a whole new league when the SME became employees 2 one of 12 companies worldwide selected What is going on in the power chf 3 million in invest- grid? Are voltage fluctua- for the Free Electrons programme – a start­ ment capital tions occurring? The GridEye up accelerator that brings together young 11 customers in Western box 1 is able to analyse and 3 comp anies and market leaders in the power and German-speaking report such fluctuations to grid sector and facilitates the establish­ Switzer land, in some cases energy companies in real-time 1 with multi-stage pilot – and make adjustments if ment of partnerships. Plans now call for 3 necessary 2 . Managing a grid GridEye to be offered worldwide – although projects and long-term investments becomes increasingly com- the company’s founders will remain firmly plicated when many different anchored in Vaud. Exemplary producers feed in electricity www.depsys.ch The young high-tech sme from solar power, for example is strengthening a region 3 , and major consumers uti- outside the Lausanne lise power irregularly. GridEye conurbation. is a novel solution in that each unit not only sends data to a control centre but also com- municates with other GridEye units in the grid. The system software enables more efficient and flexible management of smart grids.

Interview Coaching leads to independence!

Michael De Vivo, CEO DEPsys AG Start-ups need Alliance and Platinn advice from experts What benefits have support Is Vaud a good location What are the biggest in order to ensure programmes offered you? for selling your products in challenges that DEPsys faces? The NRP is supporting two and Management Vaud to they utilise the right MV MV Alliance, Innovaud and Platinn northern Europe? Recruiting! The jump from six coaching platforms in Western make laboratory space and time instruments in MV helped us gradually become less depen­ Definitely – and that’s why to 13 employees alone quickly Switzerland: “Alliance” assists available to DEPsys for one year. each phase of their dent on funding instruments. That we’re focusing on the German and necessitated a solid organisatio­ start­ups with their search The “Platinn” innovation platform development. As the was one reason for us to leave the eco­ northern European markets. At nal structure. We need people for partners at universities. For offers specialised consulting example of DEPsys system of the start­up environment. the same time, we can launch and with a high degree of technical example, it helped DEPsys draw services. Platinn enabled DEPsys shows, good contact We want to become independent test our product with companies expertise. However, the key up a dossier for support from to be coached by an experien­ with other companies quickly so that our customers view us here in Vaud. We’re confident that aspect is always whether an indi­ the Commission for Technology ced entrepreneur who helped is usually a decisive as a “normal” company. The network we’ll be able to expand inter ­ vidual fits in with our team. It’s and Innovation (CTI/Innosuisse). the company develop its commer­ factor here. is important: Thanks to the consult­ na tionally because Swiss high­tech especially difficult to find good The dossier made it possible cial plan and launch an initial Patrick Barbey, Director of the ants, we were able to acquire our first energy­sector products continue sales people who possess the for the School of Engineering round of financing. Innovaud innovation­promotion customers and find some one to to enjoy a great reputation around technical knowledge needed for agency (Antenna canton VD serve as Chairman of the Board. the world. the energy market. Platinn)

16 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 17 ALPlastics Strengthening the Swiss tourism industry

etc project One of the main objectives of the NRP’s multi­year support programme is to effectively manage the structural transformation in the tourism industry Cooperation and make tourism destinations more competitive. In order to promote in face of the implementation of adequate initiatives, the tourism industry is receiving competition additional support in the period 2016 – 2019 in the form of a specific impulse programme. Among other things, this programme will help mod­ ernise the hotel industry, improve quality and product development and Alpine Space (Interreg) Results 2011 – 2013 encourage the establishment of new partnerships. Our company Benchmarking of the NRP contribution (Federal had to take on the productivity of 60 member Government and canton): companies with the help of CHF 160 000 challenge of com- the self-developed InnoProd Regional training and qualification measures paring itself with software The NRP supports the development of training and continuing edu­ The plastics industry cannot stay other companies Summer academy for stu- cation programmes, as well as initiatives that support skilled competitive on the world mar­ in order to become dents of the plastics sciences employees and programmes that assist entrepreneurs. One example ket without continual innovation. more productive. Information and contact here is the Employee Sharing project in the hotel industry. 31 Employee Sharing A single company, and even We are very proud platform for the meta-cluster an entire region, do not have the to have partici - (with 11 clusters and 1800 resourc es needed for this. This is pa ted in the appli- companies) serves as the basis Cross-company networks and partnerships why the ALPlastics project created cation of the opex for further joint projects The NRP also supports cooperative projects and the establishment of a “meta cluster” to link the Swiss comparative Exemplary Plastics Cluster with five partners model for the plas- platforms for cross­company coordination. Gästival and Textilland Cooperation between Ostschweiz (Textile Country: Eastern Switzerland) are two exemplary 20 Gästival from the Alpine regions in Italy, tics industry. competitors. projects in this area. 30 Textilland Ostschweiz France, Germany and Austria. Yvan Bourqui, ALPlastics developed its own soft­ Head of Global Engineering, ware for benchmarking the pro­ Johnson Electric Closure and extension of value chains ductivity of the plastics industry. White paper The NRP helps improve regional value creation systems and establish The comparative data thus ob­ «Industrial cluster excellence: new ones in order to generate additional income opportunities. tained, and the establishment of Whitepaper on precon­ Digitisation and the creation of new tourism destinations offer new information platforms, make ditions, policies and best opportunities, as is demonstrated by the mia Engiadina project. 26 Mia Engiadina it possible for companies and clus­ International conference: practices» ter management teams to iden ­ “Clusters as Drivers of Competitive- ness: Policy and Management tify potential for improvement and Issues”, 26 March 2013 in Freiburg. thus compete more effectively Safeguarding of infrastructure/ on global markets.The cross­border creation of new infrastructure contact network created by Support for infrastructure focuses on projects that strengthen this centre of competence facilita­ regional economies – for example the establishment of new wellness tes the exchange of experiences facilities and tourist transportation systems. Examples here include and the implementation of further the transport link between the Grimentz and Zinal ski areas and the innovative ideas. Absinthe Museum, both of which send a strong message about 24 Absinthe Museum www.alplastics.net the economy in their respective regions. 25 Grimentz-Zinal

18 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 19 Gästival in Central Goals To achieve a sustained Switzerland increase in the compet- itiveness of the tourism industry in the Lucerne- An anniver sary Lake Lucerne region with a major To increase the satisfac- tion of guests with regard impact to hospitality To make the local popu- lation more aware of the importance of tourism and LU, UR, SZ, OW, NW hospitality

2012 – 2015 To generate added value in the period following the NRP contribution (Federal anniversary Government and canton): CHF 3 million Budget: CHF 8.1 million

Five tourism organisations, five cantons and private service companies succeeded in imple­ menting a major project in Central Switzerland for the first time ever: “Gästival” was held in 2015 to celebrate 200 years of tourism and hospitality in Cen­ tral Switzerland. Gästival was made possible by a joint sponsor­ ship association created by the tourism organisations in the cantons of Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden. A broad range of Gästival activities and projects focused on hos­ pitality. The iconic centrepiece of the anniversary celebration was the Seerose (water lily), a floating platform on Lake Lucerne. The platform dropped anchor in each of the five cantons for several weeks at a time and served as a meeting place for the local popu­ lation, as well as a stage for cul­ tural events. Some 67 000 people visited the Seerose during the

20 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 21 summer months. The anniversary was Extremely time-consuming infor - Interview Results also celebrated throughout Central Switzer­ mation and lobbying work was Integration of the land with numerous other key projects, required at all levels in order to ensure Jost Huwyler, including the Waldstätterweg hiking trail, the all regions were incorporated into Co­Project Director history of tourism in an for Gästival app, a website and the Friendly Hosts project and a broad­based the project in the best possible way. cultural landscape guide Gästival participation campaign that featured Jost Huwyler, Co­Project Director for Gästival for the new Waldstätter- 100 projects. Gästival laid the foundation for weg hiking trail more extensive marketing of Central Swit­ What were the biggest challenges You were able to increase the Expansion of the zerl and as a tourism destination in future. The you faced when developing original budget five-fold. “Tell-Pass” event also strengthened cooperation bet­ Gästival? What was the secret to your Friendly Hosts services ween the cantonal tourism organisations. Two JH The Gästival perimeter that exten­ success here? extended to cover the new inter­cantonal projects have already ded across five cantons posed a JH The initial situation with entire Central Switzer- been launched. One involves the creation of major challenge, as we had to incor­ Gästival included a Federal Gov­ land region a long­term development platform for the porate all regions into the project ernment NRP contribution of Improvements Lucerne­Lake Lucerne region (development in the best possible way. This neces­ around CHF 1.4 million. It was to hospitality achieved A Friendly Hosts A through employee trai- as a tourism destination), while the other Friendly Hosts volunteers sitated extensive and extremely assumed here that contributions ning programmes and will lead to the development of a new guest work in the summer months. time­consuming information and from the cantons would be sup­ impulse programmes for portal for the region (marketing of tourist They help visitors from lobbying work at all levels (cantonal plemented by at least an additional local populations on all over the world and offer the topic of hospitality attractions and packages). their services in more than governments, local governments, CHF 500 000 from the private www.gaestival.ch ten languages. and tourism, sport, cultural and busi­ sector. Thanks to our convincing Exemplary ness associations). We can say with ideas and successful sponsor acqui­ Broad-based initiative satisfaction that all of this effort sitions, we were able to raise an with the potential The Gästival paid off in many ways – for example additional CHF 5 million from the to generate sustainable projects with more than 100 Gästival par­ private sector and increase the dynamic development. ticip ation projects spread out across overall budget to CHF 8.1 million. Central Switzerland. The Seerose You report that Gästival attracted a large number of visitors generated a total value of approx- B C D and other projects such as the Wald­ imately chf 16 million. How stätterweg hiking trail, Tell­Pass does that amount break down? B Seerose E Plus etc. attracted the type of atten­ JH Gästival generated orders with C Waldstätterweg tion we were aiming for. In an evol­ a total value of around CHF 8 mil­ It is very pleasing to see ving project like Gästival, in which it lion, and nearly all of these orders D Improving hospitality how most of the Gästival Küssnacht is not clear at the beginning exact­ were placed with companies in E Tell-Pass Plus initiatives are being ly in which direction it will develop or Central Switzerland. Gästival also continued: The Seerose was handed over to the what it will ultimately focus on, it generated revenue of approximately is important that all partners remain CHF 1.24 million from catering MuTh association in Lucerne Vitznau, where it is part informed more or less in real­time on the Seerose, while in the trans­ of a National Centre for Vitznau of the relevant steps to be taken. In port sector the Tell­Pass led to Bürgenstock Youth, Music and Theatre. Brunnen particular, the responsible authori­ CHF 1 million in revenue. The Raif­ Record numbers A sponsor organisation ties must be provided with compact, feisen campaign led to CHF 5.5 mil­ for Lake Lucerne now maintains the Wald- e La rn stätterweg hiking trail. ke Luce transparent and understandable lion in revenue through 140 000 Rütli The Lake Lucerne Nav- Friendly Hosts services are iking tra information at an early stage when bookings for hotels, cableways, h il Beckenried igation Company record- now offered throughout eg requests for financing are submit­ boats and local public transport Alpnachstad rw Central Switzer land. The te ed the best result in its tät ted to the government. Finally, services. Realistically speaking, the Lucerne University of Walds history in 2015. Revenue obtaining sponsorship money from final total will be significantly Applied Sciences and Arts rose significantly due to is continuing the study on the pri vate sector now poses an higher due to various indirect fac­ higher passenger numbers hospitality in the region. Flüelen ever­greater challenge due to the tors, and the projects will continue brought about by Gästival difficult economic situation. to generate value in future as well. and favourable weather.

22 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 23 Absinthe Grimentz- Museum Zinal

Pretty house Advancing for the to the big leagues green fairy for ski resorts

Môtiers/Val-de-Travers revitalised the tourism industry Results Val d’Anniviers (VS) The cable car Results by staging events with culinary and Opened on 3 July 2014 Opened: January 2013 connection safe- cultural delights. For example, A total of 12 000 visitors per guards the ski The revenue generated by NRP contribution (Federal the museum staged an “Absinthe year (as opposed to the 10 000 NRP contribution (Federal the cable car transport system Government and canton): planned in), plus extensive Government and canton): area for the long increased from chf 10 mil- CHF 1.39 million (subsidies Week” this past March in which media coverage. CHF 8 million (loan) term and will lion to chf 11 million between and loans) films, tasting sessions, a theatre Total budget: CHF 28 million 2012/13 and 2015/16, with Total budget: CHF 4.2 million Motivating factor: Absinthe attract more visi- performance and other events cele production is now increasing by tors to Grimentz visitor numbers remaining brated the green fairy in all of 3 % – 4 % per year. Young distill- Pressure is also rising in tourist and Zinal. stable during this period. Earn- Absinthe isn’t just any worm­ its facets.“ Using a little tongue­in­ ers are continuing the tradition. areas with guaranteed snow to offer ings rose from chf 3.7 million Franck Tissier, to chf 4.4 million. wood schnapps. The green liquor cheek irony, we staged the first­ visitors more, while also ensuring Exemplary Hotel Alpina, Grimentz with wormwood, anise, hys­ ever ‘Fashion Week’ for absinthe”, efficient business operations. Val d’Anniviers ranks among the top ten ski areas in many sop and melissa turns mysteriously says the Director of the Absinthe The project is the result of In 2012, for example, a merger was cooperation between stakehol- ratings, including those for the milky when mixed with water. Museum, Yann Klauser. Absinthe ders. It increases the value of completed between the Grimentz best Swiss and most beautiful Up until 2005, absinthe was actu­ Week attracted new visitors to a regional product and makes and Zinal cableway companies in Val The cable car route provides European ski areas. access to 100 kilometres ally banned by law; after it Val­de­Travers and will therefore it better known. Financing d’Anniviers in Valais. The compa­ of pistes between the village Exemplary was legalised, Val­de­Travers be repeated in future. from the nrp led to innovative nies linked their ski areas across the of Grimentz and the Zinal- exploitation of other income The merger of the two oper- re­launched its mythical www.maison-absinthe.ch ridge in order to reduce costs and Sorebois mountain station sources – for example through across the Sorebois ridge ating companies is fully in line “green fairy” beverage, among the integration of the post exploit synergies. This led to the with the cableway-support other ways by establishing office. creation of the third­longest cable policy defined by the Cantonal the Maison de l’Absinthe as an car system in Switzerland (3.5 kilo­ Council. attractive meeting place. The The Absinthe metres). Two cabins that can accom­ Absinthe Museum’s collection Museum is a won- modate 125 passengers now con­ is pleasantly designed and derful showcase nect the village of Grimentz with the Grimentz relates in an entertaining manner venue that we as Zinal­Sorebois mountain station. how wormwood and absinthe absinthe producers The merger and the new cable car could not afford to were used and then demonised route have put Val d’Anniviers in the G operate on our r throughout history – and ulti­ major leagues of Swiss ski areas. i mately re­discovered. own. It encourages The route will also generate momen­ m e The local government reno­ us to continue to tum for the summer tourism busi­ n t vated the house in Môtiers, which preserve the tra- ness, and its operators hope that the z - Z was built in 1750, and then ditional method for CHF 28­million project will result i n Zinal presented it to the museum foun­ making absinthe. in additional revenue and greater a l s k dation to use for 20 years for Yves Kübler, the biggest distiller competitiveness in the region. i a r e free. The Absinthe Museum has of absinthe in Val­de­Travers www.grimentz-zinal.ch a

24 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 25 Mia Engiadina

Ready for the digital age

Engadin (GR)

2015 – approx. 2030

NRP contribution (Federal A think tank on the data Government and canton): CHF 365 000 highway – that’s our vision of Total budget: CHF 1.14 million the future for the Engadin. The Engadin faces major chal­ Jon Erni, co-initiator of mia Engiadina lenges due to its position as a peri­ pheral region dependent on tourism and the energy sector. The initiators of the “mia Engiadina” project believe the valley’s dis­ tance to urban centres, and the pleasant contrast it offers to them, translate into a major devel­ Goals opment opportunity. The Enga­ din wants to offer visitors from To serve as a lighthouse project that demonstrates Switzerland and abroad relaxation, how business and society inspiration and networking. It can address the challenges also seeks to exploit the benefits and exploit the oppor- of digitisation in order to trans­ tunities associated with form itself into a top­quality digitisation location for living and working. To make the Engadin a The planned construction place for relaxation, inspi- ration and networking in of a new segment of high­voltage Switzerland lines through the Unterengadin To attract “knowledge offers the opportunity to lay ducts workers” and businesses for a future fibre­optic network as new tourist target at a relatively low cost. This state­ groups of­the­art infrastructure will ena­ To safeguard jobs and ble the Unterengadin to intro­ create new ones duce broadband Internet and pre­ pare for the digital age. Around

26 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 27 Interview Results Draft of Laret Spiss Plan project Dr. Marianne Janik (left), Fibre-optic connection Ravaisch Compatsch CEO of Microsoft Switzerland, and for all villages bet ween Samnaun perimeter Martina Hänzi, Managing Director La Punt and Samnaun by Vinadi of Engadin Booking, Scuol approx. 2030 Martina Mountain Hubs serv- Fibre-optic Tschlin Chaflur network ing as effective co-work- Seraplana Strada Why is Microsoft Switzerland The project covers many issues, ing spaces throughout WiFi Vnà Ramosch investing in a project in a remote such as new worlds of work, the Engadin Crusch region like the Engadin? e-health, education, tourism and Programmes and Sent Sur En S Copper cable MJ an innovation centre. How do packages can be booked Ftan Scuol network Mia Engiadina is a great exam­ by “knowledge workers”, Guarda Bos-cha Vulpera ple that shows what digitisation you communicate information Giarsun companies and organi - Ardez Sparsels can achieve for our society. Still, about the project? Lavin Sur En A sations the technology is only an enabler – MH Technology projects are never Susch it’s more important that people easy to communicate, as they often Construction of an S-charl innovation centre understand the type of opportuni­ aren’t physically visible. We’re Zernez ties it offers. We’re impressed by working on implementation mea­ Exemplary how people in the valley are taking sures that facilitate communica­ Brail New work models are their future into their own hands tion. The short­term goal is to get being developed in coop- Susauna Cinuos-chel and actively shaping the transfor ­ more visitors to come to the val­ eration with it com- mation. That’s why it’s important to ley; over the long term, we’re hop­ panies. These models Crusch S-chanf will generate momen- Madulain Zuoz us to support this project. ing to get new SMEs to settle here. tum for the tourism and La Punt-Chamues-ch How does mia Engiadina What are the most important service industries Champesch promote innovation? factors of success? and commercial enter- MH Innovation is increasingly MH The local population is very prises. occurring outside the office and the involved because people here rea­ 9­to­5 working day. The project lise that the project offers major offers unplanned meetings in an in­ potential. 85% of all buildings between La Punt We’re bring- tickets for events – and also reserve formal co­working atmosphere MJ Mia Engiadina also networks and Samnaun will be linked to a fibre­optic ing start-ups carsharing vehicles. as well as an exchange of informa­ many specialists from different network over the next ten to 15 years. here and net- The innovative character of mia tion with colleagues and in this areas – and that makes us all faster This forms the basis of the mia Engiadina working them Engiadina has met with a broad positive manner generates new ideas. Some­ and more innovative. project, whose goal is to use digitisation with local response. The project is being sup­ times we have planned meetings to promote economic development in smss in order ported in the canton of Grisons and during the Microsoft start­up the valley and reposition the region. The beyond by more than 40 partners, includ­ weeks, and we also do the traditio­ to spearhead The Mountain Hub “ new worlds of work” has been a focus new innovative ing local communities, SMEs such as nal company retreats, of course. is situated in a central of the project from the beginning, as projects. hotels, cableway operators, retailers and How is demand developing in location in Scuol. It mia Engiadina seeks to offer an ideal envi­ commercial enterprises, and several the Mountain Hub? features fast Internet, Dr. Marianne Janik, shared workstations, MH ronment for digital nomads and organi­ CEO of Microsoft asso ciations. The Federal Government We have several individual users a cosy seating area, a cafe sations seeking relaxation and inspiration. Switzerland provided NRP funds for the concept phase every day and there are weekly zone and a stand-up bar. New “Mountain Hubs”, for example, and the project’s sustainability goals events, such as retreats for compa­ offer co­working, meetings and work­ have been registered with the UN. Mia nies, universities and organisations shops near the tree line. The first hub Engiadina has also gained additional from all over Switzerland. We opened in Scuol in August 2016. Partner momentum after receiving the SUISSE­ also have general meetings and companies can use a virtual marketplace DIGITAL innovation prize in 2015 and school outings. All of these people to post information on products and an award from the Swiss Association for visit local restaurants and also services, while a concierge service helps Quality and Management in 2016. go on tours and stay in hotels in users book accommodation and www.miaengiadina.ch the area.

28 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 29 Textilland Employee Ostschweiz Sharing

Summer at Tradition creates the lake, winter identification in the snow

SG, AI, AR, TG Hotels in Eastern Switzer- Grisons and Ticino A total of 23 hotel and restau- the model has the potential to save land pay tribute to the rant companies with more around CHF 11 million in unem­ Since 2010 history of the textile indus- 2016 – 2018 than 50 locations in Grisons try in the region, among and Ticino, as well as the Chur ployment benefits per year in Gri­ NRP contribution (Federal NRP contribution (Federal u other ways with rooms Frauenfeld a University of Applied Sciences sons, and CHF 20 million in Ticino. Government and canton): g decorated by well-known Government and canton): u r CHF 250 000 t h textile companies. CHF 522 000 and the chapters of the hotel- Companies expect to benefit leriesuisse industry associa- Total budget: CHF 1.25 million St. Gallen Total budget: CHF 1 million as well, since the model makes it n tion in the above-mentioned l d e e l o easier for them to hold on to Herisau z h n r e r cantons are participating in p e St. Gallen is well known around p s s Appenzell A particularly large number of good employees. Businesses also a u the Employee Sharing project a the world as a centre of the a p p e n z e l l employees in the hotel and restau­ hope they will be able to attract s i n d e n (as of April 2017). t n e r r h o . textile industry – major designers g rant industry in Ticino receive new employees who were a l l e such as Chanel, Christian Dior, n extends beyond the region. unemployment benefits between Goals previously put off by the seasonal Giorgio Armani and others pro­ The programmes highlighting the late autumn and the spring. The nature of positions in the indus­ cess embroideries made in textile industry are managed same holds true in the autumn and To retain more good try. Better and more motivated St. Gallen. Eastern Switzerland centrally and are part of the annual spring in Grisons. At the same employees, especially skilled employees improve quality, which is a “textile country” with a broad packages offered by the tourist time, the seasonal hotel and restau­ workers leads to better value for money and successful textile tradi­ Results destinations in the region. The rant industry suffers from a shor­ To reduce recruiting costs in the relatively expensive tion stretching back more than successful implementation of the tage of skilled employees in and fluctuation rates holiday regions in Switzerland. The Textilland rooms in To safeguard compe ti- 500 years. Numerous textile leading hotels in Eastern project was made possible by those same tourism regions. It there­ Employee Sharing concept was comp anies from Eastern Switzer­ close cooperation between textile fore makes sense to create attrac­ tive advantages on the labour inspired by the sharing eco­ Switzerland market land are still worldwide leaders “Textile walking paths” companies, tourism industry tive job clusters out of indivdual nomy. More specifically, digital in the industry today. The Tex­ stakeholders, the public sector summer and winter employment To improve quality by platforms now enable coope­ through St. Gallen reducing the loss of know-how till and Ostschweiz project has crea­ Guided tours, excursions, and other partners. The work of positions. In 2016, hotels and and increasing employee ration between a larger number ted a successful platform that explorer tours volunteers and the utilisation restaurants in summer and winter motivation of people and organisations. The is transporting the rich tex tile her­ Textile workshops of the networks operated by the holiday destinations in Switzer­ To support the develop- pilot project is exploiting this itage of the region into the future. project initiators and associa­ land joined forces and began offer­ potential by developing an Inter­ Zeitzeugen (“Contempo- ment of young workers in the Together with partners from rary Witnesses”) video collec- tion members were also indispen­ ing industry employees the oppor­ industry net platform that matches up the tourism and hotel industries, tion and Textilien heute sable to the project’s success. The tunity to work the whole year round. To reduce the cantons’ jobs and skilled employees and the Textilland Ostschweiz asso­ (“Textiles Today”) textbook project organisers are thinking This new model ensures a secure expenditure on unemploy- also automates and simplifies the ciation offers an extensive range for upper secondary schools about establishing a joint regional income for workers for the whole ment benefits pooling of summer and winter of programmes that highlight Exemplary marketing pool supported by year and offers them new career Exemplary positions. After the pilot phase, the the expertise and legacy of the service level agreements in order and development opportunities.The Employee Sharing project will Inter-cantonal, business- Hotels and restaurants have textile industry. Textilland Ost­ oriented project that focuses to help further develop Textil­ pilot project also has a positive launched a joint project be opened up to other businesses schweiz is sponsored by the local on promoting an important land Ostschweiz and the associ­ social impact: According to the Chur for recruiting workers and and regions. textile industry, but its impact economic sector. ated products. University of Applied Sciences, skilled employees. www.enjoy-summer-winter.ch

30 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 31 Projects in five areas Sustainable use of natural When 1 + 1 equals more than 2 Model A total of 31 projects are resources. Four projects receiving some CHF 3.7 million are addressing issues related to projects in funding between 2014 and biodiversity, biomass, water, This NRP area involves a support objective that seeks to align regional 2018. and conflicts between agricul­ tural considerations and spatial policy with other federal policies related to spatial development. The goal Promoting economic development. here is to spatially and functionally coordinate funds and measures development in functional spaces. Six projects are optimis­ Promoting the development of and to exploit synergies. Learning ing regional economic conditions open spaces in conurbations. by doing across several municipalities. Nine projects address the various They are examining the relation­ functional uses for open spaces One aspect, for example, involves coordinating funding for Even “low-potential” ships between urban centres in residential and recreational areas. hotels by the Swiss Society for Hotel Credit (SGH) with the financial areas offer potential and surrounding rural areas, These spaces can be used for relax­ support for wellness or sports facilities provided by the NRP, as A region is considered “low-poten- Switzerland-wide identifying obstacles to economic ation, sport and the enjoyment such facilities are often located in or near hotels. The same applies tial” if it has been negatively 2014 – 2018 development and improving of nature and the countryside, as to funding for innovation from the CTI/Innosuisse. Ideally, the affec ted by an ageing and declin- coordination between regional well as for slow traffic areas. interplay between sectoral policies should result in the creation of ing population, negative financial NRP contribution: CHF 900 000 stakeholders. Total budget (Federal added value (1+1 > 2). fig ures and a reduction in public Development of sufficient, infrastructure and services. The Government): CHF 3.7 million NRP can implement special meas- Settlement development. needs-based housing. Five pro­ ures for such areas. For exa m- The Federal Government is mov­ The seven projects here address jects address the issues of affor­ Improving both cities and rural areas ple, dur ing the multi-year period ing ahead with sustainable spatial building zones, the consolidation dable housing, the alignment of of 2008 – 2015, the Federal Gov - If the Federal Government is going to strengthen the compe­ development by promoting of industrial and commercial real estate development with ernment worked with several can- new methods and procedures in zones and the revitalisation of new demographic conditions and titiveness of the regions, then the regional centres will have to play tons to develop ideas and strat- an important role as economic motors. Conversely, the Federal egies for “low-potential” areas. Since the “Model Projects for Sustai­ town centres. the challenges faced by tourism Government can create incentives for mountain and other rural areas 2008, support has focused on nable Spatial Development” regions. to utilise the momentum generated in the regional centres. The the Gotthard region in particular. programme. Eight federal offices Federal Government can influence developments through its agglo­ (ARE, SECO, FOEN, FOAG, meration policy and its policy for mountain regions and other FOH, FOPH, FEDRA, FOSPO) are Requirements asso- jointly supporting projects mana­ rural areas. Both of these actually combine a range of different sec­ ciated with sustainable Project example: toral policies. ged by local, regional and muni­ ArealPlus development are taken cipal stakeholders. The pro­ into consideration gramme creates an incentive to Thinking in terms of functional spaces The Federal Government imple- identi fy and test innovative ments the NRP in line with Market Planning ideas at the interface between Economic Spatial the principles of economic, social If Switzerland is to develop further in a spatially coherent man­ several sectoral policies. It also potential planning ner, policies related to spatial development must be effectively coordi­ and ecological sustainability. Authorities promotes the use of synergies – Investors nated. More specifically, sectoral policies must be aligned, synergies e.g. through cooperation across Project developers must be identified, and action must be more oriented towards administrative boundaries. Landowners functional spaces and the specific strengths of the spaces in question The model projects are treated Available space has become scarcer the same information available must be exploited. All of this is designed to help achieve the goals as laboratories that enable in many cantons over the last to them in order to make informed of the Spatial Strategy for Switzerland programme. These goals were new methods, approaches and few years and spaces that are avail- decisions regarding the cons- able are often used inefficiently. truction and usage scenarios to be agreed upon by the Federal Government, the cantons, the cities procedures to be tested. They and the municipalities in 2012. The NRP makes an important contribu­ The goal of ArealPlus is to utilise implemented. Local communi- also have an exemplary character, a planning tool to make both ties also receive a guide that shows tion here, two examples being the Regional Innovation Systems as the knowledge thus gained investors and local communities the short and long-term effects (RIS) and the Model Projects for Sustainable Spatial Development. is shared and the project sponsors aware of the economic poten- and economic impact of specific meet regularly to network. tial here. All parties should have development plans. 9 RIS innovation systems 33 Model projects www.modellvorhaben.ch

32 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 33 Agenda 2030 Pr ät for Grisons ti g a u / D Using regional Nordbünde a n v a/ 7 o ss strategies to s Ba na economic adi elva ngi ir jump-start the urs E sta S Mü zones economy Val

Canton of Grisons a Viamala/Albul 2014 – 2015

NRP contribution (Federal Government and canton): M al CHF 145 000 oj a/ Factors of success B e Limited resources, more intense r n The ability of regional i competition between locations n stakeholders to resolve con- a a and relatively little agreement on s flicts and focus on strategy e

how a region should develop – o is being supported.

in a regional context, this situation M Outlook leads to the well­known phen­ The regions need The increasing entrenchment The regions are addres- sing their future and have omenon of a “silo mentality”. of Agenda 2030 GR in the regions to concentrate on come to understand that Regions in the Canton of Grisons relevant and fea- has now become noticeable. measures must be prio- faced such a situation in the recent sible projects. This The Agenda is expected to have ritised and roles need to be past, and this led to the imple­ in turn requires a an impact on two levels: First, clearly defined. mentation of the Agenda 2030 GR solution-oriented the regions will focus more Agenda 2030 gr is not a initiative with seven regional approach to con- means: “Creating spaces and strongly on their strategic orien­ wish list; instead it is location­development strategies. flicts and an effec- innovation for industry”, tation. Secondly, more projects in meant to illustrate in the The Federal Government suppor­ tive strategic focus. “ Networking the tourism indus­ conformance with the princi­ most realistic manner ted the initiative as a pilot project. The most impor- The initiative resulted in the crea­ try”, “Strengthening the ser­ ples of the NRP will be developed. possible what the region Agenda 2030 GR is meant tant question is tion of Regional Location vice sector” and “Safeguarding The RLDS are currently being can achieve. to increase the regional focus on ‘what do we want?’ Development Strategies (RLDS) the Rhine Valley as a Residen­ aligned with the development of It will take some time for strategy in order to ensure that rather than ‘why for each of seven defined eco­ tial Location”. tourism destinations within the strategy development all regions pursue the same objec­ can’t we do this?’. nomic zones in Grisons. The stra­ the framework of a rolling plan. process to be put into tives as they implement pro­ Eugen Arpagaus, Director tegies are aligned with spa­ Benefits Even as the strategy process practice with full force. It jects designed to increase value of the Business and Tourism tial development policies and are The broad­based RLDS and becomes more sophisticated in is therefore important to creation and improve competitive­ Office of the Canton of based on the same economic their associated measures were the regions and implementa­ define in advance the roles Grisons each party will play in ness. Municipal governments motors that the Grisons NRP imple­ approved by the local coun­ tion ideas are developed, initial the implementation of the and other decision­making bodies mentation programme focuses cils, which gives the RLDS coordinated projects are now process. addressed the long­term devel­ on. The main idea here is to a certain binding character. This being created – in order to gen­ opment of their regions and were exploit existing regional strengths. allows important projects to erate value from natural sur­ supported here by cantonal rep­ With regard to the nort hern be implemented more rapidly, roundings and regional culture resentatives and other specialists. Grisons region, for example, this and also funded if necessary. and cuisine, for example.

34 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 35 Creating and sharing knowledge Knowledge system in the form of a pyramid With the “regiosuisse” network unit, the The services offered by regiosuisse form Federal Government is supporting the practical a pyramid. The target groups become work performed by individuals involved in more concentrated as you move from the bottom to the top of the pyramid, regional development activities. regiosuisse ena­ and the networking connections to the top increase as well. bles the creation and sharing of knowledge and also builds networks among various stake­ Creating holders. Its knowledge system contains all knowledge Responsible Exchanging experiences, officials and relevant information on the NRP and cross­border eholders in the Scientific Forum ak st cooperation. In 2016, the range of topics cantons and regions covered by regiosuisse was expanded to include Practitioners who attend the Conveying knowledge tions from “formation-regiosuisse conference” Projectelevant sponsors individuals/ and coherent spatial development and thus the and other events learn from one Introductory courses, another and obtain new knowledge. continuing education, conferences other organisar agglomeration policy and the policy for moun­ the Federal Government, tain regions and other rural areas. the cantons and the regions Making knowledge available Public relations work, Web portal, monitoring report

Interestedpublic parties agencies from and the society political at large realm, Levels of action Target groups

regiosuisse.ch Continuing education Practitioners Network for research, Web portal as a source events that focus on learn from one policymaking and of inspiration current regional devel- another practical applications regiosuisse.ch makes it easy opment topics Knowledge communities that regiosuisse also stages a Scientific to access information on regional regiosuisse also offers continuing are initiated and managed Forum in alternate years to the and spatial development. Inte­ education events such as the by regiosuisse allow regional regiosuisse conference. The forum grated project databases provide regiosuisse conference, which takes stakeholders to exchange prac­ facilitates the incorporation of ideas for new projects, sup­ place every other year, as well tical knowledge, experiences research results into policy­ port networking and make the as periodic introductory courses and strategies and create new making processes and practical NRP more understandable to and more intensive courses on knowledge. applications. society at large. specialist topics. The network also organises excursions. www.regiosuisse.ch

36 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 37 Mr. Brutschin, the implementation of have economic problems and also promote The point of the New Regional Policy (nrp) in specific economic sectors. This is impor­ view of the 2008 resulted in a significant paradigm tant, not only economically but also from a shift away from redistribution mea- political perspective. In addition, cross­ cantons sures and towards a stronger focus on border cooperation requires the involvement Interview entrepreneurship, innovation and value of the Federal Government. However, I do with Christoph creation. Has this change proved to believe that we need to change the way we be effective? communicate about the success of the Brutschin, CB The NRP, which has been focusing since NRP and the possibilities it offers. There’s President of the 2008 on innovative developments in the also not enough communication about the Businesses, cantons, as well as regional and inter­cantonal NRP’s long­term impact. Conference of municipalities, Cantonal Direc - organisations and coordination, is now firmly established. tors of Economic the cantons them- The new philosophy has been understood What in your opinion are the biggest selves can launch and put into action in the regions and cantons. economic challenges currently faced by Affairs (vdk) projects and apply for funding. This The cantons play a key role in the success the regions targeted by the nrp? bottom-up approach of the NRP. They define cantonal and CB The rural and mountain areas have has played a major inter­cantonal implementation goals, which been struggling with slow growth and a role in the success of the nrp. serve as a guide for businesses, munici­ population outflow for a relatively long time. palities, organisations and the cantons them­ Additional factors are also now playing a selves when they launch projects and apply role – for example the discontinuation of the for funding. This bottom­up approach exc hange rate floor for the euro and the Christoph Brutschin has played a major role in the success of the approval of the Second Home Initiative, both is a Cantonal Councillor in Basel- NRP. Some 1800 projects with a signi­ of which are having a negative impact on Stadt and has been President of the vdk since 2016. fi cant leverage effect were funded in the prosperity in mountain regions especially. period between 2008 and 2015. Although border regions enjoy major oppor­ The Conference of Cantonal Direc- tors of Economic Affairs (vdk) tunities, the economic stakeholders there was established in 1947 with the goal of promoting an exchange of Does the Federal Government still need also face extraordinary challenges. The information and cooperation on to pursue a special assistance policy for strong franc and the resulting shopping tour­ economic issues between the Fed- eral Government and the can- mountain and other rural areas and border ism are putting pressure on local businesses tons, and between the cantons them- regions? and the export industry in border regions selves. The conf erence may adopt its own resolutions, which helps CB The need still exists, not least due to the and have led to a sharp diversion of purchas­ ensure a common and effective res- ponse to federal proposals. The challenging economic situation at the ing power, among other things. vdk is involved in various working moment. Article 103 of the Federal Consti­ groups and commissions and represents the interests of the can- tution gives the Federal Government the right tons. It also serves as a contact for to implement structural policies. The gov­ the Federal Government, the media and other interested parties. ernment can therefore support regions that

38 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government 39 Does the nrp have solutions to deal Why should a canton like Basel-Stadt, with these situations? which has a prosperous multinational CB Yes, most certainly. First of all, the sys­ phar maceutical and life science industry, tem of equivalent financing by the Federal support a government innovation- A region worth living Government and the cantons ensures that funding programme? no unnecessary projects receive funding and CB The Basel­Jura region is a Swiss economic in must not only be physi - that the cantons can address their specific centre that stands out through its dynamic strengths and weaknesses. I agree with the economic development. However, in terms of cally attractive but also idea of the NRP as overall economic prosperity, the region is The system of economically dynamic. a joint undertaking: equivalent financ- actually very heterogeneous and it also faces The Federal Gov­ ing by the Fed- the structural challenges associated with Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, ernment defines the eral Government a border region. The NRP is therefore very and the cantons Education and Research (EAER) overriding strategy ensures that no important to this region, especially in terms of with the cantons and unnecessary pro- the possibilities it offers for cooperation ensures the exchange jects receive across cantonal and national borders. Our funding and that of knowledge and the cantons can intention here is to transfer the dynamic information. The can­ address their spe- economic development of prosperous regions tons formulate tai­ cific strengths to rural areas as well over the medium and and weaknesses. lored strategies and long term. In fact, one of the main goals are responsible for approving the projects. of the Regional Innovation System for North­ I also believe that in particular the system of western Switzerland The nrp has incentives for regional cooperation repre­ is to generate benefits led to extremely sents a very promising approach. Economic for rural areas. successful development and innovation do not stop at cross-border and inter-cantonal national borders, and certainly not at can­ cooperation. tonal borders. The NRP has led to extremely successful cross­border and inter­cantonal cooperation over the last few years. Con­ sider the cantons of Basel­Stadt, Basel­Land­ schaft and Jura, for example: This year we implemented a jointly developed strategy that lays the groundwork for improving the economic situation in an international region with two languages and three countries.

40 The New Regional Policy of the Federal Government Legal notice

Published by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO Regional and Spatial Development Policy Section Holzikofenweg 36, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Tel. + 41 (0) 58 462 28 73 www.seco.admin.ch [email protected]

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