Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) 

​​​​​​​​​​​Regions and cities play an essential role in achieving our green and digital transitions. The Joint Action Plan and the relaunched Knowledge Exchange Platform work plan that the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are adopting are milestones in our renewed European Research Area and focus on concrete solutions to improve citizens' lives." – Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, on the occasion of the adoption of the Knowledge Exchange Platform 2.0 and the Joint Action Plan.

Contents

​​What is​ the Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP)?

ThKnowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) is a form of cooperation with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The platform seeks the exchange of new R&I solutions and best practices, by organizing horizontal-seminars in Brussels and peer-to-peer events in the regions, or hosting local showcasing events. The KEP's flexible cooperation process allows for an efficient dialogue with European cities and regions on research and innovation issues, and an effective transfer of expertise between local innovation ecosystems, including business, universities and the citizens.

Would you like to get involved?

Then come to attend our seminars dedicated to diverse themes of interest for European citizens. You can even suggest a subject for an event to be held in your city/region on timely research and innovation issues.

Simply contact your representative at the European Committee of the Regions and explain your idea! In fact, our Members regularly organise such events in collaboration with the European Commission.

These activities aim at exchanging new R&I solutions and best practices, and having a dialogue with various stakeholders, including businesses, universities and citizens.


In the framework of the Joint Action Plan adopted in November 2020 with Commissioner Gabriel's services, this project has been upgraded to a strategic level. KEP°2.0 is from now on aligned with the renewed European Research Area initiative and linked to the implementation of the Science meets Regions projectThis year, the Platform's activities are expected to be also centred on the Horizon Europe programme's implementation.

KEP activities in 2023

In 2023, the KEP activities covered the two main themes of:

  • Open Science for higher quality, more efficient and impactful research – opportunities for regions and cities
  • Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – what is in it for regions and cities?

Two horizontal seminars were organized:

  • the first took place on 15 June 2023 about Open Science for higher quality, more efficient and impactful research – Opportunities for regions and cities on CoR premises, in Brussels. (The subject was part of the EU Swedish Presidency's programme.) You can find further information and the agenda on the event's webpage.

The participants of this event were updated on the state-of-play of the different aspects of Open Science and on how it delivers solutions to major societal challenges. Open Science allows for transparent and more robust research methodologies. It increases the quality and impact of science by fostering its reproducibility and interdisciplinarity. It makes science more efficient through the better sharing of resources, more reliable through better verification and more responsive to society's needs.

  • ​​​​​​​​the second seminar was held on Thursday, 28 September 2023 (from 14:30 to 18:00) physically at the CoR, in Brussels. It focussed on the regional and local dimensions of The New European Innovation Agenda, including the opportunities for Regional Innovation Valleys. You can find further information and the agenda on the event's webpage. It was held back-to-back with the Science meets Regions final event which happened just before at the Committee.​

This policy initiative aims at reinforcing European leadership in deep-tech innovations that accelerate the green and digital transitions, by bringing together policies, investments and instruments in a coherent approach to drive systemic change and impact. Its dedicated flagship on strengthening innovation in European Innovation Ecosystems focuses on creating the connected Regional Innovation Valleys across the EU, by building on strategic areas of regional strength and specialisation, in support of key EU priorities.

Besides the seminars, there was also a Peer-to-peer event co-organised by the CoR, the European Commission, the Finnish Forest Institute and the Natural Resources Institute of Finland, on the initiative of Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), President of the Helsinki region and Vice-President of the CoR. The campus was held on 12-15 December 2023 in Joensuu and Koli (Finland), on New European Innovation Agenda & Forest Innovation. You can read here an article published about the event by the Luke Institute. You can also find hereunder the presentations shown. In case interested, you can see further details on Forestry in the EU in this EPRS paper.


KEP activities in 2022

In 2022, the KEP activities covered the two main themes of:

- Synergies, Green and Digital Transitions and the European Missions

- the Youth in Research & Innovation and European Year of Youth 2022

Two horizontal seminars were organized:

Research and innovation play a key role in responding to our societal challenges. Their achievements have a direct impact on people's lives. Involving citizens, especially the youth, is essential to shape R&I's future. It is hence necessary to provide young generations the opportunity to become engaged. Local and regional authorities play a key role in this process. The workshop aimed to present concrete projects and experiences from young innovators and entrepreneurs."


KEP activities in 2021

In 2021, the KEP activities covered the following themes:

- The territorial dimension of the European Research Area and the ERA Hubs;

- The green transition and the Recovery & Resilience Plans, as well as Horizon Europe Missions

In 2021, two horizontal seminars were organized (both in a virtual form):

  • the first took place as a side event of the European Research and Innovation Dayson 22 June 2021 on the subject of "Regions and cities: role in the new European Research Area and opportunities from Horizon Europe";
  • the second was held as a double workshop of the European Week of Regions and Cities on 13 October 2021 about the overall topic of "Science and Innovation for Recovery".

These latter workshops, covering 'Regions boosting the European green recovery' and 'Science for Green Deal - Evidence for policy in regions and cities', were also linked to the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Documents

Presentations from events

Multimedia

KEP 2.0 peer-to-peer – 13-14/12/23

 

Watch more

  • KEP 2.0 peer-to-peer – 13-14/12/23
    KEP 2.0 peer-to-peer – 13-14/12/23
  • KEP 2.0 seminar of 28 September 2023
    KEP 2.0 seminar of 28 September 2023
  • KEP 2.0 seminar of 15 June 2023
    KEP 2.0 seminar of 15 June 2023
  • KEP workshop of 22 June 2022
    KEP workshop of 22 June 2022
  • KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2021 Part 1
    KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2021 Part 1
  • KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2021 Part 2
    KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2021 Part 2
  • Video on Citizen Science
    Video on Citizen Science
  • KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2022
    KEP workshop at EURegionsWeek 2022

Photos from events

Contact

SEDEC secretariat
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