BACKGROUND.Most surveys and analyses in EU are focused on innovation performance of private sector,while innovations in public sector remain largerly understudied and thus unknown.The simplest definition CCIC will use is 'public sector innovation is about new ideas that work at creating public value'.In terms of innovation,regions and municipalities have a crucial lead-role.Thus,CCIC aims to increase the levels of innovation in 13 diverse partner-regions.By exchanging good practices they will address a set of interlinked challenges faced by all public authorities and related to innovation in public sector as:public finance for innovation, public authorities as innovators and innovation stimulators, public attitudes to innovation, public procurement to support innovation.At policy-level CCIC will contribute by proposing recommendations to different levels of governance thru focussing on the regional dimension of:EU’s Europe 2020 strategy and EC's “Innovation Union" flagship initiative.CCIC OBJECTIVE is to improve regional innovation policies by enhancing innovation in public sector and increasing collaboration b/n local and regional authorities, public entities and other stakeholders.The CONSORTIUM comprises 14 partners from 10 MSs, 8 local/3 regional authorities, 3 organisations with expertise in innovation and technology transfer.Each partner has recruited a local/regional consortium.Key decision-makers and stakeholders will be involved at key phases of the project.MAIN ACTIVITIES.Phase 1:Jan-12 to Jun-12:IDENTIFY GOOD PRACTICES: draft methodology on overall regional/local innovation performance with state of art questionnaire,collect data, assemble a good practice list by theme to be peer-reviewed by Thematic Groups; hold local/regional stakeholder forum (in own-language).Phase 2:Jul-12 to Aug-12:EXAMINE GOOD PRACTICES:elaborate Analytical report on innovation in public sector; analyze good practice database, assess best practices. Agree study visit programme.Phase 3:Sep-12 to Sep-13:IMPORT GOOD PRACTICES:Undertake 6 study visits each involving 3 members from 7 partners;analyse visits outcomes to identify potential for transfer;conduct thematic group meetings;publish best practice guide Phase 4:Nov-13 to July-14:ADOPT GOOD PRACTICES:All cities/regions select a good practice to be adopted;elaborate deep delegation programme;undertake 5 deep delegation visits,each involving 7 members from 3 partners; all PPs prepare RIPs and promote CCIC on WIRE 2014Phase 5:Sep-14 to Dec-14:FINAL OUTPUTS:finalize RIPs and pilot projects,publish methodology and policy recommendations,hold final conferenceOUTPUTS:96 press releases,project brochure,12 dissemination events, 9other events attended,16 interregional events,40 good practices identified,13 pilot projects designedRESULTS:13 good practices successfully transferred,60 staff members with increased capacity,13 local/regional policies improved,13 RIPs to be considered by MAs for next Programming Period Achievements: CP1-LP prepared and signed subsidy contract with the Managing Authority (MA). Public Procurement procedure for CCIC project Technical Secretariat (TS) was launched. Kick-off and 1st Steering Committee meeting were organized by LP in Sofia (BG) on 13-14 March. All partners except PP12 and PP5 attended the meeting. LP elaborated SC1 meeting minutes. The CCIC project financial guidelines and User manual for internal management tools were prepared. The process of Partnership agreement signing was managed. SC2 meeting was organized by PP2 in Aberdeen (UK) on 10-11 May 2012. SC2 meeting minutes were prepared. Instructions on future tasks, responsibilities, outputs and deadlines for the implementation of CP1, CP2 and CP3 were given. LP representatives attended two JTS LP seminars - in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 23-24 January 2012, and Online Reporting Seminar and Exchange of experience Seminar in Barcelona, Spain, on 19-20 June 2012. CP2 - Each PP appointed a Communication Manager (CM). A list with the names was transferred among PPs. PP11 drafted the CCIC Communication Plan (CP), 1 project logo, 1 graphic layout of toolkit for external communication (slide template, poster, flyer, brochure, headed paper, newsletter format). 2 press conferences were organized during the 1st and 2nd SC meetings. 25 Press releases in all partner languages were issued. Participation in the Bulgarian national Expo 'Europe for Us' 2012 together with the Managing Authorities, the Representation of the EC in Bulgaria, consultant companies and NGOs, beneficiaries, banks offering preferential terms for financing of EU funded projects. The event took place on 16, 17, 18 June. Communication plan was discussed at 2nd SC meeting. Each PP has developed own mailing list with up to 15 potential contacts each, among which the electronic newsletter to be distributed. LP launched a public procurement procedure for the CCIC web site. CP3 - PP14 ARC Fund prepared methodology & state-of-art questionnaire on overall regional/local innovation performance. Good practice template and guidelines for conducting thematic group meetings were designed and approved by all PPs. Mapping of stakeholders has been conducted by all partners, who are to be addressed during face-to-face interviews. Questionnaire & interview template were tested in Sofia before commencing field work. In order to supplement the aggregation of best practices, public procurement procedure was carried out for the task "Recruitment of regional correspondents from 6 non-partner cities/regions from the EU innovation leaders/Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Norway and Ireland/, to collect /prepare an overview of best practices in EU’s leading innovative countries/regions". SC2 in PP2 Aberdeen was organised and attend by all PPs representatives. Partners discussed and approved the proposed methodology, state-of-art questionnaire and good practice template.