INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR BIO-ECONOMY IN THE WIELKOPOLSKA REGION – INITIAL RESEARCH RESULTS

T he aim of this study was to identify the cur­rently functioning institutional support mechanisms for the development of the bio-economy in the Wielkopolska Region. In the initial stage of the study, conducted in late 2013 and 2014, secondary materials were used which had been published by the Central Statistical Office, reports by Association for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centres, Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the informa­tion contained on the websites of the institutions. The study included selected administrative-political and economic institutions of Wielkopolska. It was determined whether and to what extent these mechanisms operate in support of activities aimed at bio-economy development. It was found that the biggest, targeted support in this area is offered by Nickel Technology Park, Poznan Science and Technology Park, Centre of Excellence “Food Biotechnology” and the Foundation for Academic Entrepreneurship. In the future, extensive support for bio-economy can be expected from Wielkopolska Centre for Advanced Technology which is in the start-up phase. In other institutions, such support is provided equally to other areas of business and scientific research or it is of no particular interest to the institution. The study does not exhaust the catalogue of the bio-econ­omy support institutions in the region of Wielkopolska. At their present stage a slight targeting of support mechanisms was noted for the activities in the field of bio-economy. Con­tinuation and specification of research is planned.