This project will support seven SPECA countries in their efforts to spur innovation as a central driver of the increasingly urgent transition from a low productivity and resource-intensive model of economic development to knowledge-based and more sustainable economic growth, in line with the SDGs. It builds on a clear mandate: SPECA countries, recognizing this challenge, formally decided at the 12th session of the SPECA Governing Council in 2017 to “Develop an innovation strategy to promote sustainable development in the SPECA region” – a process that, with UNECE and ESCAP support, has led to a final draft that will be submitted for approval at the 2019 SPECA governing council. In this context, the project aims to support and create sustainable further momentum around the first steps towards putting this strategy into practice. Specifically, the objective is to strengthen institutional capacities to harness innovation as a driver of sustainable development and regional integration.