The main conclusions drawn from the conference 'Smart cooperation between Science and Industries in the Baltic Sea region', which took place in Krakow, highlight the need to strengthen cooperation, networking and connectivity of universities, research infrastructures and comercial users. All these factors are preconditions for competitiveness of the region. The future period will bring many possibilities for aligning funding from different programmes for implementing innovation projects. Taking into account that the programming process has started strategic priorities shall be set by the Member States. All actors involved should take an active role in the process. See photo.