The European Committee of the Regions and the
European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
have launched the call of interest for a new pilot
action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation. The
Pilot Action will involve up to 24 European
participants (Member States, regions or groups of
regions) who feel driven to transform their
economies and societies and who are willing to
further develop their own strategic policy
framework dealing with innovation, industrial
development, sustainability transitions and broader
economic and social development. The deadline for
applications is 25 April 2022.
The Partnerships for Regional Innovation are a
complementary approach, which builds on positive
experiences with smart specialisation strategies. The
initiative aims to enhance the coordination and
directionality of regional, national and EU R&I
policies to implement Europe’s green and digital
transitions and to tackle the innovation divide in the
EU.
The Partnerships will be firmly anchored in the EU
policy framework, supporting the implementation of the
European Green Deal,
Horizon Europe,
Cohesion policy
and
NextGenerationEU. Particular attention will be placed on tools and
governance mechanisms that mobilise multiple sources of
funding and policies to amplify impact and that can
help connect regional and national initiatives to EU
initiatives for the twin transition.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions,
said:
"The experience, contacts, cooperation, shared
interests and expertise that this initiative seeks
to make available to local and regional authorities
across the EU will help them successfully address
the societal challenges we all currently face. In
the longer term, this exercise will help to attract
the necessary investment and mobilise in a coherent
way all relevant policies and funding instruments."
Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, said: “
Promoting and spreading innovation is key to
succeed in the green and digital transitions. All
regions have an innovation potential that has to be
fully taped in order to leave no one behind. We
need strong innovation partnerships anchored on
smart specialisation strategies adapted to the
strengths and challenges of each territory and
integrating different funds and policies. Regions
need to be central actors in shaping Europe’s
innovative growth model.
”
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture,
Education and Youth, said: “
Strong connections among the innovation actors are
the foundations of thriving regional innovation
ecosystems. The “Partnerships for Regional
Innovation” will provide a platform for public and
private players to invest in innovation and
startups for a sustainable economy and society. The
Partnerships will integrate all the available EU
instruments to deliver tangible impacts. We need
innovators and investors in every region and
country. The Partnerships for Regional Innovation
will connect them all to build a true pan-European
Innovation Ecosystem.”
Participants in the Pilot Action will be expected to
identify, in close collaboration with the JRC and the
CoR, the areas they wish to focus the Pilot Action on.
These can be socio-economic or policy challenges,
specific economic sectors and/or policy areas or
instruments. Activities under the Pilot Action will be
tailored to the areas of most interest for each
participant.
The deadline for applications is 25 April 2022. You will find more
information and instructions on how to apply in
President Tzitzikostas'
letter and its annex. The chosen territories will be announced in May and
an official launch event is scheduled for 17 May.
Contact:
SEDEC Commission secretariat
sedec@cor.europa.eu