Place-based R&I ecosystems

Building an effective European research and innovation policy, and optimising the impact of related funding programmes depends on strong interconnected R&I ecosystems embedded in regions and cities. Innovation happens in places and there are specific local conditions that enable ecosystems to flourish. Therefore, enhancing local and regional ecosystems and working towards achieving a less fragmented European innovation ecosystem is crucial. Supporting collaboration between different stakeholders – public administrations, universities, research organisations, companies, clusters and civil society – at regional level to strengthen ecosystems, as well as collaboration between ecosystems, are both essential to reach that goal.

Network

ERRIN input on support to territorial R&I ecosystems post-2027

March 2025

ERRIN's work on ecosystems

Regional and local R&I ecosystems are at the heart of all ERRIN activities. The current multiannual financial framework (2021-2027) places increasing importance on the place-based dimension and includes several programmes and instruments that are developed around ecosystem thinking, requiring the engagement of multiple stakeholders and embracing quadruple helix collaboration. European Digital Innovation Hubs (Digital Europe Programme), European Innovation Ecosystems Action (Horizon Europe) and I3 Instrument (ERDF), are examples of such developments. ERRIN has actively contributed to all these instruments.

In the frame of Horizon Europe, ERRIN sees great potential of fostering a place-based dimension in the various parts of the programme and in particular under Pillar II in EU Missions and European Partnerships, Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA) as well as Pillar III European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) and European Innovation Council (EIC). Find the ERRIN input on The network is also advocating strong place-based ecosystem approach in the future cohesion policy post-2027 (see our input from August 2023 here).

When it comes to wider initiatives at the EU level to strengthen the regional and local R&I ecosystems, the network actively follows and engages in undertakings such as the ones below, further described in separate subpages:

Based on dedicated discussions that were organised in the ERRIN Policy Working Group on the role of place-based R&I ecosystems in the frame of the upcoming Framework Programme (FP10) as well as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027, ERRIN published an input paper March 11 2025 on the role of Research and Innovation ecosystems in the next MFF, titled 'Connected regional innovation ecosystems – key for Europe’s competitiveness'.

ERRIN event on building a regional innovation ecosystem

ERRIN’s policy messages


Ecosystem approach is a vital underlying principle for realising the full potential of research and innovation in Europe. The following points should be taken into account:

  • Strengthening attention towards exploring place-based strategic policymaking tools and methods such as the Partnership for Regional Innovation (PRI) based on smart specialisation (S3)
  • Implementing, more broadly in Horizon Europe, calls that engage the whole regional and local ecosystems
  • Involving cities and regions as demonstrators to tackle needs and challenges on the ground
  • Identifying and reinforcing ecosystem connectors with an ability to bring together different stakeholder groups (representing various interests and combining various funding programmes)

Key funding instruments supporting ecosystem thinking

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

EU regions and cities: Apply to join the IURC Programme 2025-2027 by 30 June

Applications are now open for European regions and cities until 30 June to join the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme activities in 2025-2027 with Asia, Australia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The programme promotes city-to-city and region-to-region cooperation for sustainable and innovative urban and regional development.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Launch of the Preparatory Action: Innovation for place-based transformation

On 29 April 2025, ERRIN participated in the high-level launch event of the EU Preparatory Action 'Innovation for Place-Based Transformation', an initiative coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) with the support of the European Parliament. Bringing together stakeholders from the over 200 selected territories, many of which are ERRIN member, together with high-level speakers from the EU institutions, this event in the Berlaymont in Brussels marked the kick-start of the two-year innovation journey to tackle Europe’s most pressing territorial challenges through a place-based, transformative innovation policy approach.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Shaping the future of EU’s long-term budget post-2027

This week marked an important step in shaping the EU’s next long-term budget. On 6 May, the European Commission’s public consultations on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) closed. ERRIN submitted responses to three key consultations, grounded in extensive work with our members and outlined in 10 key messages calling for a place-based, ecosystem-driven approach in the future EU R&I funding. The following day, the European Parliament adopted its own initiative report on the future MFF, clearly rejecting elements of the Commission’s direction – notably the proposed single national plans and a centralised Competitiveness Fund, in line with ERRIN's stance.

  • By Maria Bostrom

ERRIN’s 10 key messages towards the next Multiannual Financial Framework

At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the next MFF.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Have your say: uptake of the Codes of Practice on Knowledge Valorisation

The European Commission has opened a survey on the uptake of the codes for knowledge valorisation. This short survey, which is open until 30 May, will inform the development of the future EU knowledge valorisation policy and looks into the codes covering the management of intellectual assets, standardisation, citizen-engagement and industry-academia co-creation for strengthening knowledge valorisation.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Share feedback on the future EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy

On 17 February, the Commission launched a call for evidence, inviting stakeholders to contribute to the future EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy by 17 March. This flagship initiative under the Competitiveness Compass is expected to play a key role in closing the innovation gap and enhancing the EU’s global competitiveness. ERRIN is also planning to submit a network input, share your inputs before March 12.