Team Côte d'Azur - Côte d'Azur Economic Newsletter

Labelled a competitive cluster in 2005 and a PRIDES pole (Pôle Régional pour l’Innovation et le Développement Economique Solidaire) in 2007, the Pôle Risques brings together two regions - Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon - who share the Mediterranean ecosystem and represent a wide range of expertise in this field. Companies, R&D teams and academics are working together on innovative projects for risk management which is a major concern for the Mediteranean arc. At the same time they are taking an active stance in structuring this emerging market which could represent an important growth potential for the area’s local economy.

3 questions to Richard Biagioni, appointed Director of the Pôle Risques Cluster on 1 June:

1. What is your vision of the pole as you assume this new role?
Having previously been organized around themes, the cluster today is moving towards a territorial approach that is transversal and focused on local difficulties. This is because in the coming years, the factors which will have a global impact, such as climate change, extensive urbanization and a decline in natural resources…, will also have an impact on the Mediterranean regions. And we think that we can play a key role in finding innovative solutions to counteract this increasing vulnerability by bringing together the various players around specific themes.

2. And beyond the territorial vision?
We are involved at the European level in the field of industrial risk (Major industrial risks, Industrial security, Enhancing the value of waste and new materials, Network and structures security) and particularly in the area of managing risks associated with innovative technologies. By partnering with the European technological platform on industrial security, for the development of a European label for “clean and safe” technology, we are helping the pole position itself as an expert in this area for the other competitive clusters and Prides programs. We are also focusing on a preventive/awareness aspect, as well as in putting in place a set of new training programs to fit the needs of the emerging market.

3. Does the Pôle Risques also have ambitions on the international level?
Obviously, growing our role at the international level is an integral part of the cluster’s global strategy as risks extend well beyond our borders. We intend to concentrate initially on the Mediterranean Basin as well as European countries and we’ve already formalized partnerships with Italy and Morocco and are currently working with Tunisia and Turkey to set up similar arrangements. Last year also saw us sign a convention for the future “Pôle Martinique” that is focused on biodiversity and natural risks. And certain companies have also asked to keep a close eye on how markets are evolving in a number of far off countries such as Brazil and India.

Pole Risques Figures:
160 active members, 142 projects labelled since it launch in June 2005, of which 54 received public financing representing over 28 M€, placing it among the 15 top clusters in terms of public financing out of 71 competitiveness clusters.