Cities and regions call for simplified and sustained EU funding for local innovation

​​More synergies between ​EU financial instruments could boost EU's competitiveness

​​Local and regional leaders have called for stronger synergies between European funds to boost place-based innovation and for those funds to be safeguard from budget cuts. 

During a plenary debate on 19 June with Elisa Ferreira, the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and with Iliana Ivanova, the European Commissioner responsible for Innovation and Research, members of the CoR highlighted successful examples of support for regional innovation ecosystems, such as the recently created Regional Innovation Valleys, which are already proving effective in enhancing competitiveness, resilience and economic and social cohesion.

The EU's Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe Framework Programme are the main financial instruments supporting research and innovation in the EU, including at regional and local level. In a debate with the Commissioners in charge of these crucial investment tools, CoR members shared their experience from the ground and their views on the strategic priorities for investments in innovation over the next decade.  

Regional and local leaders called for Cohesion Policy and the Horizon Europe programme not to be weakened in the future reforms, as they provide a local approach to innovation, ensure regional resilience and improve the EU's competitiveness. The EU's next programming period, beyond 2027, should therefore ensure the continuity of the two policies and funding streams, avoiding any budgetary cuts, the CoR said. Members also asked for better coordination between cohesion and innovation planning as early as possible, using all available means to make the promotion of place-based innovation more effective. 

During the plenary debate, commissioners Ivanova and Ferreira announced the list of regions nominated for the Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs). This initiative supported by the European Committee of the Regions, aims to create a community of regions and cities that collaborate on the basis of their smart specialisation strategies to solve local challenges and increase European competitiveness. The RIVs were praised as a very concrete example of supporting innovation and local competitiveness, thanks to the good coordination and synergies achieved between cohesion and innovation funds. The CoR asked for this project to be continued and expanded, making the RIVs a permanent funding instrument.

Quotes

Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "When the European Union's regional and innovation policies are strategically aligned and take a place-based approach, they can create powerful synergies allowing regions and cities to create jobs, thrive economically and grow sustainably. The Regional Innovation Valley award is an excellent demonstration of regions and cities' capacity to lead innovation across Europe's territories, making full use of cohesion policy funds. I am particularly proud to see many members of the European Committee of the Regions receiving this award. Innovation should remain a strong pillar of the future EU strategic agenda."

Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms: “The Regional Innovation Valleys announced today exemplify European added value and demonstrate the strengths of place-based innovation to address the burning challenges of our time. By expanding their cooperation based on Smart Specialisation, the interconnected regions, including the less developed ones, will be better equipped to strengthen Europe's overall innovation performance while bridging the existing innovation divide."

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth: “It's heartening to see the commitment of many regions in Europe to build on their strategic specialisations and enhance the coordination of their research and innovation investment and policies. Through Regional Innovation Valleys, we will help turn the diversity of the EU's territories into a strength and facilitate collaboration to foster new EU value chains for Europe's home-grown innovation. This marks a significant milestone in the progress of the New European Innovation Agenda."

More information

• In 2022, the European Commission's Communication setting out the New European Innovation Agenda defined a strategy to strengthen Europe's leadership in high-tech innovation, enabling it to tackle the most pressing societal challenges and position Europe as a leading player in the global innovation scene. One of five flagship initiatives were the Regional Innovation Valleys, which are intended to involve 100 regions and cities that commit themselves to enhancing the coordination and direction of their research and innovation (R&I) investments and policies at the regional level.
• The opinion “Recommendations for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation", from rapporteur Anne Besnier (FR/PES), is scheduled for adoption at the CoR plenary session in October.
• CoR opinion on “Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition", by rapporteur Andrea Putzu (IT/ECR), adopted in January 2024.
• CoR opinion on “A New Innovation Agenda for Europe", from rapporteur Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), adopted in December 2022. 
  

Contacts

Ângela Machado

Tel. +32 475 41 31 58

angela.machado@cor.europa.eu

Matteo Miglietta

Tel. +32 470 89 53 82

matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu