Driving regional growth through innovation

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Seminar organised in Brussels in the framework of the 22nd Eu​ropean Week of Regions and Cities
Date: 8 October 2024

2023 10 EWRC seminar large.jpgOn 8 October 2024, the European Alliance Group hosted a seminar at the European Week of Regions and Cities titled “Driving Regional Growth through Innovation – Highlighting Best Practices.” The event, moderated by Karl Vanlouwe, President of the European Alliance Group, brought together regional and local policymakers, experts, and representatives from the European Commission to discuss how innovation can drive sustainable economic growth.

Mr Vanlouwe highlighted Flanders' "Vision 2050" plan, through which it aims to be a global leader in key sectors such as life sciences, digital technology, and sustainable energy. One of its standout initiatives is the "VLAIO" (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship Agency), which provides vital support to start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to scale their innovations.

In addition, Flanders has pioneered the "Blue Deal," an ambitious plan aimed at tackling water scarcity by promoting the reuse of water in agriculture and industry. The initiative highlights how Flanders is transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation.

Ms Catherine Wendt, Head of Unit for Smart and Sustainable Growth at DG REGIO, provided an overview of the European Commission’s efforts to foster regional innovation. She discussed key EU initiatives such as the Regional Innovation Valleys, which aim to bridge the innovation gap between regions. Ms. Wendt also emphasised the importance of interregional collaboration through the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) programme, which supports the creation of new value chains across Europe.

Mr Sergio Pérez García, representing the Government of Navarre, presented the region’s innovative approach to sustainable industrial ecosystems through its Circular Innovation Valleys initiative. This initiative focuses on promoting circular economy principles and fostering cross-border collaboration to create sustainable growth.

Mr Michał Podbielski from the Białystok Science and Technology Park in Poland shared insights into how local governments can work with research institutions and the private sector to drive technological innovation. The Park has successfully incubated over 300 start-ups, helping Białystok become a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. It stands as a model for how regional ecosystems can support the growth of innovative businesses.

The seminar underlined the critical role of regional innovation in addressing Europe’s pressing challenges. From Flanders to Navarre and Białystok, the examples presented showed that tailored local solutions and collaboration between regions can pave the way for sustainable growth. Through the continued support of the European Commission and interregional cooperation, Europe’s regions are well-positioned to lead the way in innovation.

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