PRELUDE (Promoting European Local and Regional Sustainability in the Digital Economy) was an IST accompanying measure funded by the European Commission to boost regional and local innovation supported by information and communication technologies. PRELUDE was particularly concerned with the building of ERA (European Research Area) with a large participation of researchers, high-tech SMEs and public administrations, as enablers and users of ICT applications, addressing needs of citizens and local economies.

PRELUDE was engaged in the following activities:

• Dissemination of EU programmes that are part of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan and the new instruments of 6th Framework Programme of RTD with special regard to the Information Society Technologies (IST) thematic priority; 
• Creation of a large European web community through the web portal and services in order to put forth the local and regional dimension of research, technology and innovation in the European scenario;
• Creation of European Clusters for Innovation, which are designed to be public-private partnerships built through a constituency process aiming at mainstream initiatives. The use of EU funding schemes to support research, technology and innovation was instrumental;
• Preparation of a Societal Learning Model for cluster-based approach to regional RTD and innovation and drafting of Policy Guidelines;
• Preparation of a set of Thematic Guides in the key application areas of European Clusters of innovation;
• Definition of a roadmap proposal for future interregional cooperation among PRELUDE Regions and partners supported by the three European networks.

Type of service

Elaboration of the deliverable guide “Research and Innovation for Sustainable Regional Development – A Guide for Regional Policy Makers”.