Co-organised by the European Innovation Council & SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), and the I3 Instrument Support Facility, the event underscored the critical role of interregional cooperation in driving Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and innovation capacity.

Celebrating regional contributions to the EU strategic priorities

The Forum opened with a keynote address addresses by Stéphane Ouaki, Acting Director at EISMEA, and Nicola De Michelis, Director at DG REGIO, who emphasised how the I3 Instrument bridges the gap between cohesion and competitiveness, helping regions tap into cohesion policy funds in smarter, interconnected ways. They highlighted that local ecosystems are critical drivers of European priorities and that I3 Instrument ensures no region is left behind.

The forum celebrated the maturation of the I3 Instrument, which now supports 70 projects with over €300 million committed. The portfolio spans across regions and technology readiness levels (TRLs 6-9), encouraging the participation of SMEs and fostering long-term investment planning. The I3 Instrument is extending its reach beyond well-established hubs to include less-developed regions through improved interregional ties and dedicated support structures like the I3 Instrument Support Facility with the I3 Instrument Observatory and upcoming Partner Search tool.

Key ingredients for effective regional leadership in interregional cooperation

Expert-led panel discussions delved into what enables regions to lead in interregional cooperation. Consensus emerged around the necessity of strategic vision, strong governance, financial commitment, and trust. Participants emphasised trust-building, transparent information on regional competences, and continuous dialogue as essential to mobilise stakeholders across borders.

The debate also identified several practical enablers of cooperation, including capacity building, cascade funding, and aligning Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) with broader European initiatives such as Interreg and the Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) underscoring that sustainable cooperation hinges on shared vision, stakeholder understanding, and dedicated resources.

Turning strategy into impact: I3 Instrument success stories

Compelling project success stories showcased the tangible impacts of interregional cooperation.

STARRISE, a capacity-building project led by the Latvian Technological Centre, aims to strengthen regional participation in agri-food and logistics value chains across Europe. The project has already identified over 80 regional project ideas, mobilised around 700 stakeholders, and prepared more than 12 project applications.

CESAM, led by ACCIÓ in Catalonia together with nine partners, focuses on the circular economy in the agri-food sector in the Mediterranean. The project supports the development of innovative ideas into mature investments, ready for commercialisation and scale-up.

EPIC, coordinated by Cluster Health in Emilia-Romagna, works on enhancing packaging innovation ecosystems for interregional collaboration, with a particular focus on the food, health, and cosmetics sectors. The project demonstrates how cooperation strengthens value chain integration, enhances digital and financial skills, and improves the bankability of innovation projects.

Shaping the future: I3 Instrument beyond 2027

The future of interregional innovation investments remains promising as the European Commission’s proposal for National and Regional Partnership Plans ensures continued investments as Union actions under the new EU Facility (Annex XV). The I3 Instrument will remain strategically relevant, standing alongside Europe’s key future investment facilities, maintaining cohesion at its core.

Launch of the I3 Instrument Support Facility Website

Finally, the event marked the official launch of the new I3 Instrument Support Facility website, a comprehensive hub offering stakeholders interactive dashboards, detailed project overviews, and insight into upcoming events. This platform significantly enhances transparency and community engagement within the I3 Instrument ecosystem.

Conclusions and looking forward

The forum concluded with a powerful message: regional collaboration is not only possible but essential for achieving Europe’s strategic goals. The following day, the I3 Instrument Coordinators’ Day facilitated dynamic exchanges of best practices and strategic discussions among project coordinators, propelling lasting cooperation within the I3 community.

For further information, please visit the I3 Instrument webpage.

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