As a follow up to the CoR Opinion "Local and Regional Dimension of the Horizon 2020 Programme and the New Framework Programme for Research and Innovation", the Committee of the Regions is organising a conference to advance the discussion on the EU's future R&I policies, taking into consideration the key role that regions and cities should play, in terms of not only implementation but also the design of the future programme.  The event will seek to discuss more specifically the need for a comprehensive approach to the EU's financial effort for R&I, by defending both the budget of the framework programme and the budget of cohesion policy.  It will also explore the possibilities for a genuine partnership vision of the synergies between cohesion policy and research policy, and an enhancement of the role of the smart specialisation strategies (RIS3) carried out by regions and cities. Last but not least, the event will examine the place of territorial innovation ecosystems and the need for a R&I "place-based approach". Registration for the event is open here until 15th February 17h00. ERRIN will actively participate in the CoR conference, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to European research, innovation and skills agenda. The advocacy event “Regional R&I Ecosystems: contributing to a competitive Europe” was also organised by ERRIN and its Policy Working Group on 31st of January at the European Commission, DG RTD with the aim to showcase a number of successful regional innovation ecosystems and attain further support in the next programming period. More information on the event and the follow-up actions is available here.