After the set up of a repository of knowledge and experience to ensure long-term sustainability, driven by the SSC, a european panel of regional officers and innovation practisioners carried out a benchmarking analysis of successful RTD policies within the regions: out of the identified 25 RTD Best Practice Policies, 11 have been benchmarked in order to produce a benchmarking Practice Manual for knowledge transfer actions. The RTD Regional Policies have been studied by using an innovative methodology, the IVEM Benchmarking methodology, which was developed some years ago by one of the NOVAREGIO partners. The methodology is structured in four phases and precisely: the Identification of the RTD policies in each region, the Validation of the information collected, the Engineering of the process flow of each good practice and the Monitoring of the practices selected as benchmarks.

Figure: the "NOVAREGIO BPs selection" workflow

• "SMED Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development” (Småland med öarna Region)
•  "HCTA - Health Care Technology Alliance” (Halland Region)
• “Innovation Network” and “Sister” (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region)
• “Skills Development of Qualified Employees” (Styria)
• "Baross Programme - Support of the innovation developments of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Transdanubia ” (South Transdanubian Region)

• "PANCRETA DEVELOPMENT FUND" (Crete) 
• "UNISTEP" (Crete) 
• "BIC CANARIAS" (Canary Islands) 
• "A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE" (Slovenia) 
• "START-UP ENTREPRENEURS" (Styria) 
  

The printed version of the benchmarking practice manual was officially presented  on 9th October 2007, when the NOVAREGIO results have been showcased in a Press Conference held Bruxelles within within the Open Days-European Week of Regions and Cities Event.