Introduction to the project
The EU Preparatory Action Innovation for place-based transformation aims to promote and support transformative innovation approaches with a three-track programme. The first track raises awareness on the importance of place-based transformative innovation involving over 240 territories. In the second track, more than 120 territories are engaging in capacity-building activities. The third track facilitates policy experimentation journeys for a selected group of public administrations from territories across Europe, addressing complex local and global challenges in seven thematic areas: energy, circularity, digital, health, food systems, climate adaptation and New European Bauhaus. Through a capacity building programme for public administrators and hands-on policy experimentation journeys, this preparatory action empowers territories to co-develop systemic policy interventions, embed transformative governance models and enhance interregional collaboration. While increasing the transformative capacities of the local and regional public administrations, the experimentation journeys will deliver concrete policy outcomes, increasing the resilience of the territories across policy levels.
Project in action
The project is delivering a comprehensive Capacity Building programme to reinforce territorial capacities and promote systemic innovation. This is done through a combination of online and in-person seminars, working group meetings and mutual learning activities supported by online learning tools and platforms. The project also facilitates seven thematic Experimentation Journeys, assisting participating territories in co-creating and testing innovative approaches to shared challenges. These journeys are tailored to local needs and guided by peer learning, cross-regional collaboration and expert support. The project also promotes new governance models and transformative practices to ensure lasting impact across territorial and policy levels. Lessons learned in both these strands will feed back into each other to create a sustainable innovation loop.
ERRIN's role
ERRIN is actively engaged in both the capacity-building and experimentation parts of the project. In the Capacity Building programme, ERRIN supports seminar delivery and facilitates three working groups on achieving circularity, improving digital services and healthcare and New European Bauhaus. In the experimentation strand, ERRIN is involved in overall coordination and facilitates four Experimentation Journeys on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, circularity, digital citizen services and New European Bauhaus. Through this, ERRIN supports peer-learning and collaboration across participating territories, ensuring that discussions are adapted to local challenges and foster transformative outcomes. ERRIN also monitors the progress of the activities and documents results through regular reporting. In partnership with key actors, ERRIN ensures outcomes from both strands feed into each other, creating a strong link between policy experimentation and capacity development.
Benefits for members and links with ERRIN's working groups and priorities
This project closely aligns with ERRIN’s strategic and thematic priorities, particularly through its emphasis on a place-based perspective in capacity building and experimentation, facilitating collaboration and mutual learning between territories, as well as its focus on transformative innovation. It links closely to the work done by ERRIN around Partnerships for Regional Innovation Pilot Action in 2022-2023, and the Regional Innovation Valleys with their five burning challenges, coordinated by the Policy WG and Smart Specialisation WG. Thematically, the project is linked with the Energy and Climate Change WG, Bioeconomy WG, Climate Adaptation & Resilience WG, Health WG, ICT WG and NEB & Creativity WG. This project offers ERRIN members a concrete opportunity to engage in place-based experimentation and cross-sectoral learning – methodological and practical insights will be shared in WG meetings.
Follow the project's latest updates
Latest Updates
- By Martina Campajola
Strong regions, strong Europe: ERRIN at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026
ERRIN spent the European Week of Regions and Cities moderating sessions, following debates and meeting more than a dozen member delegations. Here is a selection of the moments closest to our priorities, from the EU Missions and the next MFF to talent, culture and competitiveness.
- By Astrid Hannes
Shifting from circular experimentation to circular mainstream: insights from Territories in Action
Over 70 local, regional, national and European policymakers from across Europe gathered on 10–11 September in the Swedish municipality of Avesta for the two-day final event of the Experimentation Journey for Achieving Circularity. They showcased their policy experimentation efforts and shared lessons learned from their one-year journey to mainstream circularity within their regions' policy practices.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
Discover ERRIN's autumn 2026 activities
ERRIN’s revised Annual Plans for 2026 are now available, outlining the upcoming activities, priorities and opportunities for engagement across ERRIN’s Working Groups for the remainder of the year. Each year, ERRIN’s member-led Working Groups develop Annual Plans that set out their strategic priorities, planned activities and key objectives. Shaped by members’ feedback and expertise, these plans ensure that ERRIN’s work remains closely connected to the needs and priorities of its regional and local innovation ecosystems.
- By Ewa Chomicz
A sneak peek into transformative innovation
Berlaymont Piazza was buzzing in the afternoon of 2 June as we heard about the first results and future plans of the EU Preparatory Action (PA) "Innovation for place-based transformation". Around 200 territories have been participating and working side-by-side with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in this initiative supported by the European Parliament to increase the capacities of the territories, mobilise resources and experiment to face pressing challenges, ranging from decarbonisation to digitalisation.
- By Dubravka Jurišić
Join ERRIN, our members and the wider NEB community at the New European Bauhaus Festival 2026!
Between 9–13 June, the third edition of the NEB Festival will take place in Brussels, with satellite events bringing the initiative to local communities across Europe. ERRIN and its members will actively contribute to the Festival through participation in the Fair and several satellite events, including the 14th edition of the EU Design Day. Discover all opportunities and join us on the occassion!
- By Zoé Thomazeau
NEB Experimentation Journey in-person session in Tuscany
As part of the EU Preparatory Action Innovation for Place-Based Transformation, coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Experimentation Journey convened its fifth session in Tuscany from 3–5 March 2026. Hosted by the Region of Tuscany, the meeting was facilitated by the consortium, including Climate KIC, ERRIN and EURADA, in close cooperation with Codesign Toscana and JRC NEB Unit.