On Monday 02 September 2024, the Southern Regional Assembly proudly hosted the first TALENT4S3 Regional Stakeholder Meeting, at Assembly House, Waterford. TALENT4S3 – ‘Retention and attraction of TALENT for a better deployment of Smart Specialisation Strategies’, is a three-year Interreg Europe Project, aimed at tackling brain drain in the Southern Region through talent attraction and retention. Central to this effort is advancing the Learning Region, a key initiative in the Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from government, local authorities, higher education institutions and community organisations, to examine the causes of brain drain in the Southern Region and to identify Good Practices to combat it. Attendees also discussed strategies for enhancing regional competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability in alignment with the goals of the Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).
The meeting commenced with an overview of the TALENT4S3 project, outlining its aims and ambitions. This was followed by an update from the Southern Regional Assembly’s Regional Planning Team on the Learning Region strategy, and a report on the OECD’s work on regional attractiveness and the link to regional imbalance and talent attraction. A member of the Assembly’s Regional Programme Team shared insights on Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), citing best practices relevant to the Southern Region. The Learning City Coordinator from Cork provided a brief introduction to the Learning City Project as a good practice. This was followed by group discussion focused on factors contributing to brain drain in the Southern Region, successful and unsuccessful practices, and the deployment of Smart Specialisation Strategies through the TALENT4S3 project.
Chairing the event, Mr David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, stated: ‘TALENT4S3 is a critical initiative for our Region, ensuring that we leverage our collective talents and resources to build a sustainable and prosperous future. Today’s meeting highlights our shared commitment to making the Southern Region a leader in innovation and sustainable development.’
The meeting provided a unique opportunity for stakeholders to offer perspectives, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships that will drive the TALENT4S3 agenda forward. It concluded with a consensus on the importance of continued collaboration. The stakeholders committed to regular follow-up meetings and ongoing engagement to ensure th successful implementation of the TALENT4S3 objectives.
