Regions and cities call for stronger local dimension in EU innovation policy

During a debate with European Commissioner Zaharieva, local and regional leaders supported closer EU cooperation in innovation

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission signed a renewed Joint Action Plan during the meeting of the CoR’s Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) commission on 24 April. The aim is to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and reinforce the role of regions and cities in research and innovation (R&I) policy.

The European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures, the new European Social Fund and LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy were also on the agenda of the meeting.

Strengthening cooperation on research and innovation between EU institutions

The renewed Joint Action Plan, signed by the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő, by European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and by the SEDEC Chair, Heike Raab, builds on a long-standing partnership launched five years ago between the CoR and the European Commission. The plan aims to strengthen the local and regional dimension of EU research and innovation policy, to ensure innovation benefits citizens in all regions and to promote sustainable growth and competitiveness in the EU.

Following the signature, Commissioner Zaharieva exchanged views with SEDEC commission on strengthening cooperation between the CoR and the European Commission on research and innovation. Members welcomed the new Joint Action Plan, stressing that the new competitiveness and innovation agendas must go hand in hand with social and territorial cohesion. They called for a stronger local dimension and multilevel governance, highlighting regional innovation ecosystems and the adoption of AI tools as key for competitiveness. Initiatives like Regional Innovation Valleys and European Missions were equally cited as examples of effective cooperation. Members also underlined the need to support startups and scale-ups as key drivers of accelerated growth in Europe.

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "Regions and cities connect the dots of local innovation with the European objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and resilience. They create the conditions to attract, develop and retain talents. An EU policy for research and innovation can only be efficient if strongly rooted in local research and economic ecosystems."

Heike Raab (DE/PES), State Secretary of the Rhineland Palatinate State Government and chair of SEDEC, said: "It is truly encouraging that the renewed Joint Action Plan between the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission promises not only to deepen our inter‑institutional cooperation, but also to place highly relevant research and innovation priorities—such as competitiveness, health, skills development and social cohesion—firmly on the wider EU agenda."

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said: "Every European policy on research and innovation must mean concrete benefits for our citizens, no matter where they are living. Through the new Joint Action Plan and together with our partners in the Committee of the Regions, we will make that happen."

Research and Technology Infrastructures

SEDEC members also adopted a draft opinion on the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructuresby rapporteur Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), member of Espoo City Council. They welcomed the European Commission’s communication on a European Strategy for Research and Technology Infrastructures (RTIs), which recognise RTIs as key strategic assets for Europe’s technological sovereignty. Members highlighted the vital role of RTIs, including those in border regions, in boosting Europe’s competitiveness and supporting the green and digital transitions. They called for stronger multilevel governance, better synergies between funding instruments, and underlined the need for wider access to RTIs for SMEs and less-developed regions.

European Social Fund in the EU long-term budget 2028-2034

In a draft opinion adopted at the meeting on the European Social Fund (ESF) 2028-2034, led by rapporteur Carlos Martínez Mínguez (ES/PES), Mayor of Soria, regional and local leaders stressed that the ESF must remain an independent and people-centred instrument in the EU’s long-term budget 2028-2034. They called for a minimum guaranteed budget of €110 billion dedicated to social policies and the reduction of inequalities across the EU. Shared management with strong local and regional involvement, and targeted investment to reduce poverty, promote skills, quality jobs and access to housing, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, were among SEDEC members’ main priorities.

A Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

Local and regional leaders welcomed the EU LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030 in a draft opinion adopted at the meeting, led by Susanne Wahlström (SE/EPP), Mayor of Habo Municipal Council. They stressed that LGBTIQ+ rights are fundamental human rights and combating inequality and discrimination must be a shared responsibility of all levels of governance. They called for strong cooperation with civil society and for EU support to enable local and regional authorities turn the strategy into concrete action. They underlined the need for an intersectional approach, to ensure inclusive healthcare and cross-border rights, to prevent conversion practices and to combat hate speech and violence (including online).

Also during the meeting

Members held an exchange of views on the opinion on the 2026-2030 EU anti-racism strategy by rapporteur Pär Löfstrand (SE/Renew Europe), member of Östersund Municipal Council. The opinion is scheduled for adoption at the SEDEC meeting on 22 June and at the CoR’s plenary session in October.

The SEDEC Commission also held a debate on the Fair Labour Mobility Package, a new initiative from the European Commission scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026.

Background

• Video and photos from the meeting.
• The new Joint Action Plan covers European Commission’s current mandate until 2029, following the first plan, which covered the period 2020-2025, and provides for enhanced cooperation between the CoR and its six commissions, on the one hand, with the European CommissinC’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) and Joint Research Centre (JRC), on the other.
• The Joint Action Plan sets out four priority areas for action: strengthening local and regional innovation ecosystems, supporting the green and digital transitions through place-based approaches, improving access to and awareness of R&I funding and results, and promoting evidence-based policymaking at regional level. Startups and scaleups is also a key topic of research and innovation policy, on which both SEDEC and the EC will continue working together in the months ahead.

Contact:

Ângela Machado

Tel: +32 475413158

Angela.machado@cor.europa.eu