News

In its recently published Policy Position Paper, the Vanguard Initiative (VI) calls for an integrated EU industrial & innovation policy based on interconnected regional ecosystems. The network is advocating for a new industrial & innovation policy toolbox addressing industrial competitiveness challenges and focusing on:

• Interconnecting regional ecosystems, fully recognising the regional dimension of industrial and innovation policies;
• New approaches and tools for connecting R&I support to industrial deployment;
• Using Smart specialisation principles as drivers for shaping innovative EU value chains;
• Focusing on SMEs and start-ups.

Over the past ten years, the Vanguard Initiative has pioneered breakthroughs in regional innovation policies and programmes:

• The VI Pilots have inspired the creation of the Commission’s S3 platforms;
• The VI 3 layer model has inspired the conception of the I3 instrument;
• The EU Innovation Agenda and the Regional Innovation Valleys.

Since its establishment a decade ago, VI has fostered innovation, collaboration, and new industrial growth across Europe. Its model of interregional collaboration along industrial value chains, based on smart specialisation principles, inspired the development of EU policies, notably the Smart Specialisation Thematic Platforms and their 4-steps methodology (LEARN, CONNECT, DEMONSTRATE, SCALE-UP), as well as the Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument. Recently, VI launched its own funding tool to support SME innovation projects. In light of new geopolitical challenges, the European Council called for an EU Competitiveness Deal. VI urges a policy that integrates regional ecosystems, leverages public and private funding, ensures a level playing field, and fosters collaboration with regions, including the UK. This policy should enhance the EU's global competitiveness and address market failures, particularly in innovation deployment and SME participation.