The
Knowledge Exchange Platform
(KEP) was originally launched in 2015. The renewed
KEP 2.0 initiative
aims to boost the exchange of new R&I solutions and best practices by
organizing horizontal seminars in Brussels and promoting so-called
peer-to-peer and showcasing events organised on the ground. This allows for
an efficient dialogue and transfer of expertise on R&I issues with
European cities and regions, businesses, universities and citizens.
The workshop on 22 June focused on new ways of creating and enhancing
policy and programme synergies to enable successful green and digital
transitions and the implementation of the EU Missions. Current and future
strategies and initiatives were presented from a policy-makers'
perspective, while cities and regions such as Cluj-Napoca (Romania),
Gabrovo (Bulgaria), Emilia-Romagna (Italy) and Pest County (Hungary)
presented concrete examples of their innovative practices in the field.
Former CoR President Markku Markkula (FI/EPP) and the
rapporteur of the CoR opinion on EU Missions welcomed the European
Commission's increased focus on strengthening place-based innovation
ecosystems and closing the innovation divide in Europe. In his
presentation
he also underlined the role of EU Missions as a vital instrument that
should integrate the number of existing EU initiatives and programmes to
operate in synergy.
"The development requires all the actors to learn new competencies by
integrating technology and research with a human-centric approach,
committing to implement joint green and digital transformations. Systematic
change requires co-creating transformational ecosystems based on learning
and RDI with interdisciplinary scientific and operational synergy across
all five EU Missions", Mr Markkula said.
Rewatch the workshop
with the presentation of the following case studies:
1.
Synergies for a green & digital transition and the New European
Bauhaus
(Kieran McCarthy, IE/EA, Member of Cork City Council)
2.
Experiences from a region selected for the '100 Climate-neutral
& smart cities' Mission Call
(Emil Boc, RO/EPP, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca)
3.
Partnerships for Regional Innovation - Commitment and expectations
of regions and cities
(Tanya Hristova, BG/EPP, Mayor of Gabrovo)
4.
Developing a regional innovation ecosystem
(Viorika Dishnica, ART-ER - Research and Innovation Agency of the
Emilia-Romagna Region)
5.
Innovative, green solutions – Experiences from a ‘Smart city’
project
(János Ádám Karácsony, HU/ECR, Member of Pest County Council)
The second KEP workshop in 2022 will be held in the framework of the
European Week of Regions and Cities
between 10-13 October on "Youth involvement in European R&I policies
and the role of regions and cities".