📥Presentations from ERA_FABRIC speakers and event photos are available at the bottom of this page.📥

On June 5th, 2025, ERA_FABRIC and its sister project COOPERATE came together in Brussels for a landmark event titled:
“ERA Hubs: Enhancing Knowledge Valorisation in Regional R&I Ecosystems.”

The event showcased how both projects are working to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) by embedding place-based, participatory governance models into regional innovation policy.

🧩 The day began with key contributions from the ERA_FABRIC consortium:

Maria Grazia Zucchini (ART-ER) introduced the project’s aim: to test and scale the ERA Hubs concept across diverse European regions, offering a framework for cooperation between research, policy, business, and civil society.

Lorenzo Dorato (CNR) presented findings from a comparative analysis of 15 territorial ecosystems across Europe, highlighting how ERA Hubs align with systemic transformation, environmental sustainability, and cross-border collaboration.

Ana Grgić (University of Split) introduced the ERA_FABRIC self-assessment tool, designed to evaluate regional knowledge ecosystems and facilitate action planning through stakeholder dialogue.

Lluis Viñe (EURECAT) shared the policy co-creation toolbox, comprising 33 good practice examples and a Theory of Change to support bottom-up and top-down policy alignment.

Ricardo Miguéis (INESC TEC) reflected on lessons learned from pilot implementations, noting that ERA Hubs are not the end goal but a response to systemic governance gaps. He emphasized the importance of embedding ERA Hubs into future EU policy frameworks, particularly Horizon Europe FP10 and the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

🧩 In the second session, the COOPERATE team shared their complementary work:

Sofia Gatteri (STAM) and Marie Brøns Nørdgaard (DTU) introduced the COOPERATE self-assessment tool and playbook.

Justyna Trippner-Hrabi (University of Lodz) and Fabrice Foucher (University of Orléans) presented pilot experiences.

Els van de Velde (IDEA Consult) outlined emerging policy implications.

💬 The day concluded with a high-level “Thinking Ahead” roundtable, moderated by Francesco Molinari, featuring:

Pirita Lindholm (ERRIN)

John Edwards (EURASHE)

Krzysztof Mieszkowski (WUT)

Els van de Velde (IDEA)

Renee Westenbrink (TU/e)

Panelists reflected on how to move from concepts to integration: scaling what works, improving governance coordination, and securing long-term political and financial anchoring for ERA Hubs.

ERA_FABRIC is indeed coming to an end. However, efficient research and innovation ecosystems should still be a key focus of EU research policy. Innovation will only happen in vibrant, well-connected ecosystems where stakeholders define policy objectives, align their activities with them, and implement with help of tailored policy tools.

We will soon find out what will happen to the expertise of the ERA_FABRIC community!