Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RInnoValleys (Transforming regions into innovation valleys)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-12-01 bis 2024-11-30
RInnoValleys brought together partners from six EU countries (Belgium, Catalonia-Spain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta) to address disparities in regional innovation ecosystems and improve access to the European Innovation Council (EIC). The project developed a Joint Transnational Action Plan aimed at strengthening five target regions' capacity to connect with the EIC and foster more inclusive, gender-diverse, and collaborative innovation landscapes.
The project integrated comparative analysis, stakeholder engagement, and peer learning to craft tailored strategies that responded to local needs. By leveraging insights from successful innovation ecosystems and incorporating social science methodologies, RInnoValleys ensured solutions were both evidence-based and adaptable to diverse regional contexts.
Employing a Quadruple Helix Model, the project engaged policymakers, academia, industry, and civil society, ensuring a participatory approach at every stage. By prioritizing knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and policy alignment, the initiative created a sustainable, interconnected innovation ecosystem that benefited all participating regions and could be replicated across Europe.
The project integrated comparative analysis, stakeholder engagement, and peer learning to craft tailored strategies that responded to local needs. By leveraging insights from successful innovation ecosystems and incorporating social science methodologies, RInnoValleys ensured solutions were both evidence-based and adaptable to diverse regional contexts.
Employing a Quadruple Helix Model, the project engaged policymakers, academia, industry, and civil society, ensuring a participatory approach at every stage. By prioritizing knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and policy alignment, the initiative created a sustainable, interconnected innovation ecosystem that benefited all participating regions and could be replicated across Europe.
Over the project period (December 2023 – November 2024), RInnoValleys achieved key milestones:
1. Comparative Ecosystem Analysis
Conducted research on regional innovation barriers and strengths.
Analyzed best practices for adaptation to emerging innovation hubs.
2. Quadruple Helix & Participatory Approach
Engaged stakeholders across academia, industry, government, and civil society.
Organized World Cafés and workshops to ensure inclusive regional input.
3. Stakeholder Mapping & Local Events
Built a structured database of key regional stakeholders.
Hosted interactive regional events to foster collaboration and policy exchange.
4. Peer Learning & Best Practice Sharing
Held three learning events in Barcelona, Limerick, and Valletta.
Established a Best Practices Repository to support knowledge transfer.
5. Action Plan Development
Synthesized research, stakeholder insights, and peer learning into a five-year action plan.
Outlined region-specific strategies to strengthen EIC connectivity and deep-tech support.
6. Capacity Building & Implementation Support
Delivered EIC-focused training workshops and interregional collaboration sessions.
Launched a transnational task force, initiating the implementation of the Action Plan with a kickoff in Budapest.
1. Comparative Ecosystem Analysis
Conducted research on regional innovation barriers and strengths.
Analyzed best practices for adaptation to emerging innovation hubs.
2. Quadruple Helix & Participatory Approach
Engaged stakeholders across academia, industry, government, and civil society.
Organized World Cafés and workshops to ensure inclusive regional input.
3. Stakeholder Mapping & Local Events
Built a structured database of key regional stakeholders.
Hosted interactive regional events to foster collaboration and policy exchange.
4. Peer Learning & Best Practice Sharing
Held three learning events in Barcelona, Limerick, and Valletta.
Established a Best Practices Repository to support knowledge transfer.
5. Action Plan Development
Synthesized research, stakeholder insights, and peer learning into a five-year action plan.
Outlined region-specific strategies to strengthen EIC connectivity and deep-tech support.
6. Capacity Building & Implementation Support
Delivered EIC-focused training workshops and interregional collaboration sessions.
Launched a transnational task force, initiating the implementation of the Action Plan with a kickoff in Budapest.
RInnoValleys advanced beyond existing practices by integrating a participatory Quadruple Helix approach (involving government, academia, industry, and civil society) throughout every stage of its 5-year Joint Transnational Action Plan. This plan was founded on research findings, best practices, local needs analyses, and peer learning—all coordinated by a dedicated task force.
Through its four strategic pillars (collaboration and networking, awareness building, capacity building, and information sharing/process simplification), RInnoValleys not only enhanced EIC access for participating regions but also provided a replicable framework for other EU territories.
To ensure further uptake and success, the project highlighted the importance of:
• Continued capacity-building and local support (e.g. specialized training, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement).
• Stable funding opportunities (synergies with existing EU and national programs, private investments, co-funding mechanisms).
• Effective regulatory and administrative alignment (clearer application processes, reduced bureaucracy, well-defined intellectual property rights, and standardized evaluation criteria).
• Ongoing stakeholder dialogue and adaptation (regular monitoring, feedback loops, and inclusive forums to refine strategies in real time).
By focusing on these elements, RInnoValleys paved the way for sustainable regional development, stronger cross-border cooperation, and a more equitable, innovative, and globally competitive EU innovation landscape—one that endured beyond its initial implementation.
Through its four strategic pillars (collaboration and networking, awareness building, capacity building, and information sharing/process simplification), RInnoValleys not only enhanced EIC access for participating regions but also provided a replicable framework for other EU territories.
To ensure further uptake and success, the project highlighted the importance of:
• Continued capacity-building and local support (e.g. specialized training, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement).
• Stable funding opportunities (synergies with existing EU and national programs, private investments, co-funding mechanisms).
• Effective regulatory and administrative alignment (clearer application processes, reduced bureaucracy, well-defined intellectual property rights, and standardized evaluation criteria).
• Ongoing stakeholder dialogue and adaptation (regular monitoring, feedback loops, and inclusive forums to refine strategies in real time).
By focusing on these elements, RInnoValleys paved the way for sustainable regional development, stronger cross-border cooperation, and a more equitable, innovative, and globally competitive EU innovation landscape—one that endured beyond its initial implementation.