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, the project has been upgraded to a strategic level. KEP°2.0 is from then on aligned with the renewed European Research Area initiative and linked to the implementation of the Horizon Europe programme.
KEP activities in 2025
In 2025, the KEP activities cover the main themes of "European start-up & scale-up strategy" and "Choosing Europe: Addressing brain drain & attracting talent".
Two horizontal seminars are organised.
- The first one takes place on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 about "Thriving regional innovation ecosystems for competitive European start-ups & scale-ups" at the CoR, in Brussels. You can find further information and the agenda on the event's webpage.
Closing the innovation divide between the EU and its global competitors is a key priority for the Union. The startup and scaleup strategy announced by the European Commission will be a key action to contribute to this aim. Strong regional innovation ecosystems can be conducive for the startups and scaleups to prosper.
The seminar explores the key elements of this Strategy, discuss the critical role of regional and local innovation, and share best practices of successful initiatives. It facilitates a deeper understanding of how to support the growth of EU startups and scaleups, ultimately contributing to the EU's competitiveness.
- The second seminar took place on 14 October 2025, under the European Week of Regions and Cities, at the Square Conference Centre. Its subject is "Choosing Europe and its regions: Addressing brain drain of scientific minds in Europe & attracting talents from oversees". Should you be interested, please register by 30 September 2025
Europe needs talented individuals - researchers and innovators - to drive competitiveness and growth. They must be able to live and work where they feel most at home, without facing insecure employment or other obstacles. Moreover, Europe should be a welcoming destination for top scientists from outside the EU.
A new EUR 500 million package for 2025-2027 has been put forward to make Europe a magnet for researchers and support the brightest minds from Europe and around the world. The session will discuss the latest updates on the #ChooseEurope initiative, how to retain talent in the EU and the crucial role of regions in this endeavour.
On 17-18 November 2025, a KEP peer-to-peer event took place in Raakvere, Estonia, organised by Andres Jaadla (ET/Renew Europe). The event's purpose was to showcase best practices in the region related to "Innovation by startups and scaleups in housing". Several CoR members participated, along with various local and regional actors from academia, business and LRAs.
The European Affordable Housing Plan and the new European Startup Strategy are linked through local green development and housing renovation in local governments. Digital solutions are at the heart of future development here and the digital startup solutions created by the young generation are an opportunity for local governments to find solutions.
KEP activities in 2024
In 2024, the KEP activities cover the two main themes of:
Two horizontal seminars are organized:
- the first took place on 14 May 2024 about "Knowledge valorisation for the regional and local R&I ecosystems"at the CoR, in Brussels. You can find further information and the agenda on the event's webpage. It was held back-to-back with a workshop co-organised with the EESC on Exploring Artificial Intelligence in R&D in the morning.
European research excellence is commendable, yet there's a vital need to promote knowledge valorisation. This involves leveraging research outcomes to create social and economic value through sustainable products, services and policies. Regional and local authorities play a crucial role by implementing R&I policies and programs. This seminar will focus on how regions and cities can foster knowledge valorisation and boost innovation ecosystems, translating knowledge into practical and innovative solutions. The event will draw upon experience gained from the Mutual Learning Exercise on Knowledge Valorisation and insight by the Committee's members.
- the second was held in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities on 8 October 2024. Its subject was: Shaping EU’s competitive future with research and innovation – empowering communities to live better. We were happy to welcome you in the audience. Looking forward to seeing you at future events!
Research and innovation are vital for European competitiveness and citizens' well-being. The EU enlargement in 2004 boosted R&I investments and enhanced reforms. Horizon Europe and Cohesion funds play key roles, with significant allocations. Exploiting available R&I funding is crucial for regional prosperity. This session will showcase some local achievements with relevant EU financing, evaluate past Framework Programmes and discuss opportunities for improvements as well as synergies for impact.
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 physically at the CoR, in Brussels. It focused 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:
- the first took place on 22 June 2022 about "Building synergies for successful green and digital transitions – The way ahead" ('Synergies to deliver on the EU Missions and foster breakthrough innovation')
- the second was held in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities on 11 October 2022, from 11:30 to 13:00, online. Its subject was: "Youth involvement in European R&I policies and the role of regions and cities". The event was thematically linked to the European Year of Youth 2022 initiative.
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.
