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KRITI
GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY
Crete is the southernmost point in Europe and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, covering an area of 8,336 km2. The island has a population of 623,666 (2005) and a density of 75 persons per square km. The homogeneous economic, social and cultural identity of the population is a distinguishing feature of the region and sets it apart from the rest of the country.

Crete is a mountainous region with varied landscape. The coastal regions consist of indented shorelines and beaches, whilst the interior is divided from west to east by the ranges of the Psiloritis, the White Mountains and Dikti.

INFRASTRUCTURES
Crete has daily ferryboat connections to mainland Greece and to the surrounding islands during the summer months. The region benefits from the development of maritime transport, the existence of two airports and the establishment of an adequate communications network.
ECONOMY
In contrast to other island regions in Greece, there is still a healthy balance between growth in the primary and tertiary sectors, even if investment is currently geared more towards tourism. Although the tertiary sector's share in regional GDP has risen steadily since over the past 20 years due to the development of tourism, the primary sector still plays a particularly important part in the island's economy.

This is due to specialization in dynamic crops such as early fruit and vegetables and the adoption of high-yield production processes (especially sheep and goat rearing) despite the lack of modernisation. Contrary to popular belief, fishing is not a major activity and employs less than 1% of the active population. Industry plays a minor part in the island's economy. The only branch of any significance is agri-foodstuffs, which accounts for 25% of industrial employment but nevertheless fails to take full advantage of agricultural potential. The economic importance of the construction sector, which has profited from urbanisation and the boom in tourism, is comparable to that of manufacturing industry.

Tourism is the second mainstay of Crete's economy. This is borne out by the sevenfold increase in the number of hotel beds between 1975 (11 456) and 1990 (77 678). Although the economic impact of tourism is difficult to pin down, it influences, directly or indirectly, all sectors of the economy, especially services.

LABOUR MARKET
69,60% of the population is of working age (i.e. between 15 and 64 years old). The total employment rate is 52% (male 63% and female around 41%). The persons employed in agriculture in Kriti is 34,90%, those employed in industry are 14,70%, whereas the 50,4% works in the service sector.

Unemployment in the region has therefore almost doubled in the last ten years and has also increased as a percentage of the active population from 3.5% to 5.7%. For women and young people, the rate was lower than the national average. About 35% of the unemployed were concerned by a long-term unemployment. Low unemployment is one of the main strengths of the Cretan economy. Unemployment in the 40-plus age group is virtually nonexistent due to the availability of jobs in agriculture.

DATA RELATED TO REGIONAL STRUCTURAL FUNDS MECHANISMS
The region belongs to EU Objective 1, for the period 2000-2006.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The total amount of Government investments (% of GDP) in R&D is 1.02%. The total amount of Government investments in Research and Development is 0.52%, the university investments is 0.36% of GDP.
DATA RELATED TO REGIONAL PROGRAMME OF INNOVATIVE ACTIONS
The region of Crete implemented its RPIA, “CRINNO” - Crete Innovative Region, between 2003-2004. The RPIA had a total budget of Euro 5.07 million (EU - Euro 3 million, public - Euro 1.62, Euro 0.45 private).

The prime objectives of the CRINNO programme were to achieve a significant cultural change towards innovation and sustainability throughout the region and progressively develop an interactive regional innovation system capable of supporting competitiveness in the Cretan economy. In order to ensure that the regional innovative actions were more than a research or academic exercise, the CRINNO programme placed much emphasis on strengthening the partnerships which consolidate the social consensus and sustainability.

CRINNO programme also sought to mainstream the results and general approach of the programme to structural funds and other strategic programmes in Crete, identifying the means for transferring and sustaining the innovative approaches and knowledge generated to all relevant sectors. In order to ensure that the learning process is not insular, the CRINNO programme included networking with other regions in Europe and dissemination of the programme.

The individual pilot actions had their own separate and strongly complementary objectives. In the context of the overall CRINNO programme, the key objectives were the following:

  • Develop and strengthen the permanent regional structures and networks which support Regional authorities in defining, monitoring and evaluating comprehensive regional development policy based on innovation and sustainability;
  • Transfer of technology, knowledge and information from Universities and Research Institutes to firms, rural communities and the public sector;
  • Motivate and support innovative entrepreneurship and product innovation
  • Adoption of innovative practices and methodologies in managing rationally natural resources which are considered as vital elements for the islands development in a rational manner ensuring sustainability;
  • Make effective use of innovative methodologies and practices to manage unique cultural, environmental and traditional assets that define regional identity, which are in danger because of the increased demand, physical, social and human pressure with negative consequences for sustainability.