Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument

For the past years, ERRIN and its members have been closely following the development of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, formerly known as Component 5. I3 is a programme funded under ERDF that aims to support the commercialisation and scaling-up of interregional innovation projects in shared smart specialisation priority areas.

Together with other partner organisations, we voiced the regions’ interest for the scheme as well as their concern regarding its implementation and budget. I3 Instrument was designed as a new funding scheme to accelerate innovation market uptake. It was even more relevant in the context of COVID-related challenges. In 2022 and 2023 ERRIN Smart Specialisation Working Group has organised meetings to facilitate the development of projects under current I3 calls.

I3 Expert Group

ERRIN was selected to join the European Commission's expert group on Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument - the I3 Expert Group. One of the co-leaders of the Smart Specialisation Working Group, Joanna Kubiak from Wielkopolska Region, represents ERRIN within this expert group (temporarily replacing another co-leader of the Smart Specialisation Working Group, Lucie Durocher from Region Sud). This close contact with the European Commission (DG REGIO) helped us to have a better grasp of the nature of the I3 and share with DG REGIO our suggestions and remarks.

Learn more about ERRIN's work on place-based innovation ecosystems here.

Latest Updates

By Ewa Chomicz
03/12/2021

I3 Instrument calls now open

The Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument opened calls under two strands with a total budget of EUR 145 million for the period of 2021-2022.

By Hilary Webb
03/06/2021

ERRIN selected to join the European Commission's I3 Expert Group

ERRIN has been selected to join the European Commission's expert group on Interregional Innovation Investment - the I3 Expert Group.

By Hilary Webb
30/07/2020

Interregional Innovation Investment (Component 5) consultation

The Commission has proposed the new initative to help actors involved in smart specialisation (S3) strategies to cluster together, scale-up and bring innovation to the European market.

By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
26/05/2020

EU Interregional Innovation Investments: towards EU economic recovery

European regions and innovation stakeholders jointly call on the European institutions to use the EU Interregional Innovation Investment instrument to unleash the innovation potential available in Europe’s regions for Europe’s recovery.

By Rebecca Timm

Stockholm’s Innovation District Summit: Navigating the Future of Innovation Districts

Stockholm Science City Foundation and the Stockholm Business Region are organising a summit on Innovation Districts. The symposium will explore how regions and cities can work in new ways with innovation districts over the next decade to strengthen economic development and attractiveness. The event will take place in Sweden on 26 September, 08:30 - 16:30.

By Ewa Chomicz

I3 Instrument - Online Info Session

On 13 June 2024 from 9:30-12:00, EISMEA and DG REGIO are organising an informative webinar to learn more about the following calls under I3 Instrument (ERDF): Strand 1 - Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects, and Strand 2a - Financial and advisory support to the development of value chains in less developed regions. Both calls opened on 6 June and will close on 5 December 2024.