WIRE 2022: Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions

WIRE 2022: Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions

Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) is the main European policy forum for innovation and regional development. The conference provides a platform for policymakers, public authorities, knowledge centres and enterprises to discuss research and innovation practices, challenges and opportunities across the European regions, with a direct view on the current and future EU funding opportunities.

This year's edition of WIRE, named “WIRE XII edition 2022”, will be hosted by Université Paris-Saclay, France, under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will look for greater synergies between the European Union and Member State actions focusing on the priorities of the Horizon Europe programme 2021-2027, its headline targets, and the European Research Area.

WIRE XII edition 2022 will take place on 11-13 May 2022 under the theme “Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions”.


The choice of the theme of this year's WIRE edition is due to the importance of breakthrough innovation for the growth and the future of the EU. It is one of the key processes to increase the competitiveness of the European Union. This conference will help to provide a state of the art analysis of the European situation, the best practices, and the missing tools.

In this context, key topics will be addressed:

  • What are the characteristics of breakthrough and disruptive innovations? How to mobilise all capacities and ensure that all regions contribute to and benefit from this new wave of innovation and for that, Europe needs to update and complement its innovation policy tool-kit.
  • Innovations with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors, the question of funding and the appropriate level: European? National? Regional?
  • The role of SMEs
  • From ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy to setting the foundations of our global competitiveness through a renewed Industrial Policy. Regions will be key actors in this process and will need to be mobilised to ensure a prompt adoption of new breakthrough innovations. Moreover, ensuring the directionality of breakthrough innovations will be key to achieve Europe’s green transition and deliver on a collective promise to achieve Europe’s Green Deal.

Learn more, find the agenda and register on the official website of WIRE XII edition 2022 here.


Until 29 April 2022, European regions may submit short videos presenting their innovative R&I related activities/initiatives/projects to the event organisers. Chosen clips will be showcased during WIRE 2022. ERRIN members can find out more here.