RICARDA aims to transfer the method of Intellectual Capital Reporting to the level of regional innovation networks or clusters. Initiating and supporting networks between firms and research, training and intermediary institutions is a popular approach in region research, technology and development policy.

It is the rationale of such cluster polices that joint resources, knowledge transfer and collective learning can foster innovation and increase regional competitives. Intagible assets or intellectual capital have proven to be important factors for the success of network approaches. This includes competencies and motivation of member organisations and their representatives, modes of collaboration and the network's embeddedness.

The project's consortium brings together eight partners from four European regions, representing a wide spectrum in terms of regional institutional capacities, economic structures and R&D priorities. Members of the consortium are:

• Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik - Difu, Berlin (D) - Coordinator
• Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH - WRS (D)
• Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Graz (A)
• Joanneum Research Forschungsgesselschaft mbH, Graz (A)
• Kista Science City AB, Stockholm (S)
• Royal Institute of Technology - KTH, Stockholm (S)
• West Transdanubian Regional Development Agency Pannon Automotive Cluster - PANAC (HU)
• West Hungarian Research Institute of the Centre for Regional Studies - WHRI, Győr (HU)

Website: www.ricarda-project.org