News

Over 90 regional stakeholders gathered together in Brussels on 16 June to attend the VI Innovation Policy conference on shaping an ambitious EU Innovation Agenda to accelerate the twin green and digital Transitions.

The Regional Minister for Overijssel, East Netherlands, and VI Chair Eddy Van Hijum, opened the event underlying the importance of placed based innovation policies and of connecting regional ecosystems to strengthen the industrial value chains in Europe.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Nicola De Michelis, Director, DG Regional and Urban Policy, Smart and Sustainable Growth and Programme Implementation IV (REGIO.G) presented the opportunities coming for the next Multiannual Financial Framework and invited VI  and invited the VI members to reflect on how to position themselves within the 'debate to come' on the post-2027 period regarding the development of their future smart specialisation strategies.

In the second panel  Mrs. Doris Schröcker, Head of Unit, Industrial Research, Innovation and Investment Agendas, DG Research& Innovation, then gave an insightful presentation on the New ERA industrial technology roadmaps for low-carbon technologies allowing reflections on how EU and regions can support the green transition of industry.

Finally, the discussion with panelists from the European trade association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), the European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA) and SPRI, the Basque Agency for Business Development provided a unique opportunity to bring the views, experiences and current challenges of SMEs, RTOs, and Regional administrations to the attention of representatives of the European Commission.
The VI regions are motivated more than ever to keep on learning from each other and work together to develop a solid and sustainable European innovation ecosystem, address the disruption of value chains and support their SMEs and Industry stakeholders.