The EU strategy 2020 is focussed on the knowledge triangle of universities, research and entreprises - especially SMEs in order to guarantee innovation and sustainable growth in the regions or NUT2 of the member states. The financial incentives to implement Europe 2020 are the structural funds which should be spent by projects according to the smart specialization strategy. The paper will show how the German Länder - by elaborating their (16) innovation strategies - implement Europe 2020 in order show the interaction of the European, national and regional level. The focus will be laid on the questions if policy-making differs between East and West or non-convergence and convergence regions among the German Länder.
