The BRIDGES project submitted on 31.5.2021 a proposal under the 5th call of the Interreg Europe (IE) programme. The proposal was approved by the Monitoring Committee of the IE programme on 23.6.2021. We pilot research findings showing that geographically diversified production structures result in reinforced regional clusters, contributing to the resilience of economies (EPRS, PE 653.626 – March 2021). The BRIDGES extension responds to EC's New Industrial Strategy COM/2020/102 objective, on strengthening the autonomy of EU industry.
Our aim is to enhance partner regions' economic resilience, challenged by COVID19. We base our approach on value chain analysis and identification of opportunities for expanding regions' econοmic & innovation base (in-shoring and re-shoring) while re-defining long-term complementarities with interregional partners (near-shoring). Good practices on value chain analysis and exploration of re-shoring, in-shoring & near- shoring drivers (VCD:s, i.e. product design, technology development, technology integration, flexibility, quality, market proximity & addressing value chain weaknesses (e.g. Green Deal gaps) are supporting our efforts.
Benefitting from the preceding BRIDGES project experience and the pilot action, the BRIDGES 5th call builds on the potential of institutionalised interregional complementarities, through jointly agreed RIS3 calls criteria. Further, the BRIDGES 5th call will feed into the methodological tools and complementarity actions of the BERRY+ S3 industrial modernisation partnership (https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/berry and https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thematic-areas). A summary of the BRIDGES project additional activities can be found BRIDGES project, additional activities; summary.
We are warmly looking forward to the implementation of our 5th call action plan. We will be regularly providing updates on the progress of our 5th call actions.
