Local leaders visit the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Seville to boost cooperation on innovation and competitiveness

The role of transformative innovation in regional development was the central theme of the visit of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Seville from 5 to 7 November 2024. For three days, CoR members and JRC experts debated innovation policies, sustainability and digital transformation at regional level.

The visit organised by the CoR’s Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) promoted knowledge sharing and co-operation networking and aimed to explore ways of aligning regional innovation with the EU's global strategy on transformative and place-based innovation. Among the topics highlighted were the New European Bauhaus, the Innovation Centre for Industrial Transition and Emissions (INCITE), the Regional Innovation Valleys, the Preparatory Action on Innovation for place-based transformation, Artificial Intelligence and FP10, which are at the heart of the work of the different JRC units in Seville and which are shaping the field of research and innovation in Europe.

The New European Bauhaus project, focused on integrating sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics to transform spaces and lifestyles under the green transition, was discussed on the first day, and its current activities and importance for European development were analysed. This was followed by an introduction to INCITE, created to support and accelerate the adoption of innovative techniques for decarbonisation, pollution reduction, resource efficiency, and enhanced circularity — key components of the EU’s new Industrial Emissions Directive.Members of the Committee of the Regions and the JRC discussed the Regional Innovation Valleys— a strategic instrument to respond to urgent social challenges— and explored opportunities to better align regional innovation efforts with the EU's strategy for transformative and place-based innovation.Local and reginal leaders analysed the EU Preparatory Action (PA) 'Innovation for Place-Based Transformation' project, which aims to empower regions by assisting policy practitioners in developing the skills and strategies needed to design and implement transformative approaches. The call for the EU Preparatory Action, supported by the European Parliament, is open and closes on 22 November. The session also provided an overview of ongoing projects linked to this initiative, in collaboration with the Committee of the Regions.

The CoR delegation also debated topics such as innovation and digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), addressing the JRC's technical support for the AI Act and the Digital Services Act. A discussion on the future of the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) and its impact on European regions and cities marked the final day's agenda. The CoR, which adopted an opinion on FP10 in October, became the first EU body to take a position on the next Framework Programme.

 CoR delegation:

Karsten Petersen Uno (DK/PES), member of the Regional Council of South Denmark and Chair of the CoR’s Commission for Natural Resources (NAT);

Patrick Molinoz (FR/PES), Vice-president of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and Chair of the CoR Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX);

DainisTurlais, (LV/Renew E.), member of Riga City Council and chair of the CoR Commission for Economic Policy;

Anna Magyar (HU/ECR), member of the County Council of Csongrád-Csanád;

Anne Rudisuhli (FR/Renew E.), member of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council;

Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP) Mayor of Łódź;

Mark Grech (MT/PES), Żabbar Local Council – Local Councillor;

Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), President of the Helsinki Region;

Mikko Aaltonen (FI/PES), member of a Local Assembly: Tampere City Council;

Sergio Perez Garcia (ES/EA), Director-General for Foreign Affairs, Government of Navarra;

Stephen De Ron (LU/Greens), member of Hesperange Municipal Council.