The Regional Innovation Valleys (RIV) programme was launched through a call for expression of interest by the European Commission and the European Committees of the Regions, as a flagship initiative under the New European Innovation Agenda.

The primary objective of the RIVs is to boost innovation and foster excellence throughout the European Union, with particular emphasis on regions with lower innovation capabilities. The programme achieves this by capitalising on strategic areas of regional expertise and specialisation -based on the regions’ smart specialisation strategies –, all while aligning with key EU priorities.

On 17 May, the Commission opened the Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals,  allocating €122 million for the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) initiative of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument (I3) of the European Regional Development Fund. The purpose of these calls is to enhance and propel European innovation ecosystems, fostering cohesion by linking all EU territories to address societal challenges.

The following calls were opened on 17 May, and will close on 17 October 2023:

• Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2023.3) (HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-03-01)
• Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1 (I3-2023-INV1)
• Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a (I3-2023-INV2a)