The themes and topics from the brainstorming session are presented below. The most popular choice of topics has been indicated by * with more *** indicating the level of interest and priority.

Regional Resilience

  • Building ecosystems (4-helix collaborations)
  • Making (physical) landscapes/places attractive & ‘Smart’ (data driven)

Smart Specialization Strategies (S3)

  • Transition focus & transition activities
  • Data driven policy making
  • Sector specific programmes/themes:
  • Climate change
  • Digitalization
  • Industry 4.0
  • Energy – Hydrogen** specifically
  • Agriculture (Reforming) – new business models, food safety, etc.
  • Mobility – autonomous vehicles
  • IT – Chips (EU Chips Act)

Interconnectivity – local development through interregional connectivity*****

A. local

  • Innovation & enterprise
  • Innovation infrastructure/hubs
  • Innovation capacity of SMEs (promote & strengthen)***

B. Region to Region

  • Agenda
  • Alliances
  • Governance
  • Learning (study visits)

C. Skills

  • Lifelong learning - transition to LLL chain
  • Skills agenda for S3 transitions***

D. Choice of funding programmes to be considered (not complete):

  • I3
  • Partnership for Regional Innovation (PRI)
  • Horizon Europe – Innovation Ecosystems