Smart Specialisation Strategy in the Post-Pandemic Times: the Evidence of Belarus

Abstract

Innovation is recognised as one of the means of implementation for the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Covid19 pandemic has resulted in slowed economic development. The innovation will have to play an essential role in recovering from the aftermath of the coronavirus. This article discusses how the application of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) will allow faster recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of the study indicate that (1) S3 are place-based, innovation-led transformation policy for growth and sustainability; (2) the application of S3 allows to choose the priorities within the framework of innovative development; (3) Smart Specialisation can be an effective tool to help regions recover from the pandemic crisis and find new opportunities for more sustainable economies; (4) European Union (EU) countries have successful experience of the application S3; (5) the approach of Smart Specialisation can be applicable in Belarus for creating a competitive advantage for regions; (6) the areas of national and regional importance for the economy of Belarus were identified that could form the basis of the application of the Smart Specialisation approach in Belarus.