The session “Assessing the first steps in the Regional Innovation Valley concept” discussed the initial progress and evaluation of the Regional Innovation Valley concept during the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) 2024 conference. This event, held in Budapest, brought together key players from the innovation and education ecosystems to enhance science-based competitiveness and regional development[1][2].
The conference featured panel discussions and presentations from experts and policymakers, focusing on:
- Current State: Analyzing the current state of regional innovation ecosystems.
- Challenges: Identifying challenges and sharing best practices.
- EU Initiatives: Exploring various EU initiatives like the Smart Specialization concept, Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, and Partnerships for Regional Innovation pilot[1][2].
The discussions aimed to optimize resource allocation and highlight synergies between European and regional funding schemes to foster innovation and competitiveness across Europe[1][2].
References
[1] WIRE 2024 Conference – Assessing the first steps in the Regional …
[2] WIRE 2024: Regions as catalysts of European RDI competitiveness – the …
[3] Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2024 (WIRE)
[4] https://www.linkedin.com/company/week
There are key differences between Innovation Valleys and ERA Hubs as defined by the ERA_FABRIC project:
Innovation Valleys
- Purpose: Innovation Valleys aim to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by connecting regions with varying levels of innovation. They focus on bridging the innovation gap across Europe and improving overall innovation performance[1].
- Scope: These valleys bring together key innovation actors from different regions to collaborate on addressing major societal challenges such as digital transformation, healthcare, and sustainability[1].
- Support: The European Commission supports Innovation Valleys through funding, community-building activities, and matchmaking events[1].
ERA Hubs
- Purpose: ERA Hubs, as defined by the ERA_FABRIC project, aim to enhance R&D collaboration and coordination among EU member states. They focus on creating interconnected knowledge spaces and fostering dynamic interactions among R&D and innovation actors[2].
- Scope: ERA Hubs serve as multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together representatives from various interest groups to discuss strategic priorities, actions, and results evaluation[2]. They also act as policy co-creation toolboxes, facilitating the integration of regional stakeholders into a pan-European network[2].
- Support: ERA Hubs provide a platform for regions to coordinate R&D policies and investments, ensuring that researchers can develop their careers locally while being part of a broader European network[2].
Key Differences
- Primary Focus:
- Innovation Valleys: Focus on bridging the innovation gap and addressing major societal challenges.
- ERA Hubs: Focus on enhancing R&D collaboration, researcher mobility, and integrating regional stakeholders into a pan-European network[2].
- Scope of Activities:
- Innovation Valleys: Engage in activities that connect regions with varying levels of innovation to improve overall innovation performance.
- ERA Hubs: Facilitate access to advanced research infrastructures and promote the mobility of researchers within the EU[2].
- Support Mechanisms:
- Innovation Valleys: Supported through community-building activities, matchmaking events, and funding aimed at improving regional innovation ecosystems.
- ERA Hubs: Provide a platform for coordinating R&D policies and investments, ensuring researchers can develop their careers locally while being part of a broader European network[2].
In summary, while both initiatives share common goals of enhancing regional innovation and collaboration, Innovation Valleys focus more on bridging innovation gaps and addressing societal challenges, whereas ERA Hubs emphasize R&D collaboration and researcher mobility within the European Research Area.
Is there a specific aspect of these initiatives you’re particularly interested in exploring further? [1]: ERAFABRIC Innovation Valleys [2]: ERAFABRIC ERA Hubs
References[2] The Horizon Europe Project ERA FABRIC is launched!
