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

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Interregional collaboration instruments to boost innovation: taking stock & next steps

Within the complex landscape of interregional collaboration instruments, this S3 WG meeting will focus on selected four: Thematic S3 Partnerships, I3 Instrument, PRI and RIVs. The aim is to facilitate potential engagement of interested ERRIN members by taking stock and systematising understanding, opportunities and next steps of each initiative. Practical experiences as well as hands-on insights including encountered challenges and benefits, will also be shared. The event will take place on 9 November from 10:15-12:00 in person at ERRIN premises, with welcome coffee from 10:00.

By Silke Antos

EURegionsWeek 2023 - Automotive regions: a just and sustainable transition to reinforce ecosystems and harness talent

We cordially invite you to our workshop on Tuesday, 10th October addressing “Automotive regions: a just and sustainable transition to reinforce ecosystems and harness talent” as an integral part of the official programme of the 21st European Week of Regions and Cities.

By Ewa Chomicz

CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.

By Ewa Chomicz

KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?

The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.

By Ewa Chomicz

Matchmaking Event for territories interested to become Regional Innovation Valleys

On 12 September 2023, the Commission is organising an online matchmaking event for territories interested in becoming RIVs. It aims at creating opportunities for participants to meet and connect with a view of responding to the RIVs call for expression interest by 18 September 2023 and/or finding partners for applications to RIVs calls for proposals under Horizon Europe and I3 Instrument by 17 October 2023.

By Ewa Chomicz

Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries

The Principality of Asturias through IDEPA, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission will organise the event "Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries" on 21-22 June in Gijón, Asturias (Spain). The conference will build on the experiences and learnings of the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) Pilot.