On 25 May 2023, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is organising an online info session about the two upcoming coordinated Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument.

The calls are planned to be launched on 17 May 2023 and close on 17 October 2023, 17:00:00 CET. During the event, experts will share insights about the policy background and the call application process. The EIE RIV call text can already be consulted in the Funding & Tenders Portal here. 

Learn more, find the agenda and register by 23 May 12:00 CEST here.

Questions for speakers may be already submitted in Sli.do using the event code #EUInnovationAgenda

The Regional Innovation Valleys – which shall harness the potential of deep-tech innovation across the different EU territories and address the innovation divide – are a key initiative under Flagship 3 of the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA), closely followed by ERRIN. The action aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems across the EU by accelerating the development and deployment of innovation, including deep tech innovation, and by bringing together less and more innovative regions with a view to addressing the most burning challenges facing the EU, including reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, increasing global food security, mastering the digital transformation (including cybersecurity), improving healthcare and achieving circularity. While the RIV calls for proposals are to be launched in May, a separate Commission call for expression of interest for regions to become RIVs already opened in March, with expected closing on 18 September.

In anticipation of the EIE RIV call launch, ERRIN organised interest mapping to facilitate consortium building under this call for proposals. A dedicated Policy Working Group meeting also took place on 25 April, including discussions around the key elements of the call, presentation of mapping results and a matchmaking session among the network members.