Over 200 jurisdictions join European Union's drive to implement innovative policy strategies
29 April 2025: Union of 200 Territories Kicks Off EU Innovation Program
On the said date, a whopping 200 territories including national governments, regions, and cities from EU Member States and third associated countries such as Ukraine, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Norway are launching the EU Preparatory Action "Innovation for place-based transformation." Live-streaming of the high-level event can be accessed online.
These selected territories will partner with the European Commission to drive change, and develop specific solutions for implementing innovation policies. They will tackle pressing concerns, such as climate change adaptation, digital transformation, food security, and energy independence. The initiative resembles the challenge-based approach of the Regional Innovation Valleys initiative.
The EU Preparatory Action, led by the Commission's JRC, is designed to fuel innovation across Europe and bring policies to life.
Adapting to Complex Challenges
The "Innovation for place-based transformation" calls for tailor-made solutions that cater to unique local conditions. The intricacy of today's challenges necessitates a systemic approach for territories to embrace transformative innovation. This transformation demands concrete actions at various levels and across policy domains.
Learning from one another and applying the acquired knowledge to distinct territorial setups, the EU Preparatory Action mobilizes resources and expertise to tackle key societal challenges while fostering competitiveness.
For instance, Ostrobothnia in Finland will dive into regulatory sandboxes to expedite their net-zero initiatives, whereas Overijssel in the Netherlands will explore digital transformation to boost regional SME competitiveness. Malta will team up with various policy departments to create a more resilient food system that reconciles sustainability and security for both consumers and producers.
Territory Selection and Activities
Based on their applications to join the EU Preparatory Action and their commitment to this initiative, the territories have been categorized into three tracks:
- Experimentation: These participants will design an "Experimentation Journey" based on a specific challenge, resulting in a unique policy outcome. Each journey will last 9-12 months, featuring a specialized inter-territorial setup, JRC, and a dedicated facilitator and thematic expert. Sample experimentation pathways include advancing the circular economy and developing resilient local food systems.
- Capacity Building: Participants will enhance their knowledge, skills, and experience to initiate and sustain transformative innovation policies in their locality. Capacity-building opportunities include peer exchanges and hands-on projects.
- Awareness Raising: Participants will learn about place-based innovation policies and access online resources, audio-visual materials, and webinars. A new podcast, "Territories in ACTION: Where it all happens," with nine monthly episodes, will cover territories' challenges and project details.
National and Regional Impact
The EU Preparatory Action "Innovation for place-based transformation" aspires to inspire European territories to collaborate for systemic transformation. Although many territories face similar challenges and transformation needs, they have varying territorial structures and innovation ecosystems. The EU Preparatory Action brings them together to devise more holistic and adaptable approaches, facilitating the creation of transferable solutions that can be applied in diverse contexts.
To achieve this, the Preparatory Action will help territories understand transformative innovation policies and learn to implement them effectively, contributing to advancing innovation and policy development in the EU and beyond.
Background
For half a decade, the JRC has partnered with European territories to develop novel transformative innovation policy strategies that can be executed at local and national levels.
These efforts, including the EU Preparatory Action "Innovation for place-based transformation," aim to foster partnerships and drive transformative innovation policies across European territories. It runs until the end of 2026, with roots in the EU's commitment to a green and digital transition for a just and sustainable economy. It builds upon the JRC's experience with innovation policies and intends to promote, facilitate, and disseminate transformative innovation approaches among participating territories and beyond.
Following the Call for Expression of interest launched in October 2024, over 240 territories (Member States, regions, and cities) have expressed interest in working with the JRC on the challenges they've identified, utilizing their available resources. The Preparatory Action will contribute to the policy debate and design of upcoming initiatives, such as the Innovation Act, and prepare the ground for future legislative actions.
- This EU Preparative Action, "Innovation for place-based transformation," endeavors to address pressing concerns like climate change adaptation, digital transformation, food security, and energy independence.
- The initiative fosters competitiveness by partnering with territories for developing specific innovation policies that cater to unique local conditions.
- The security of the climate is among the challenges that this collaborative program aims to tackle.
- The program's digital transformation efforts are intended to boost regional Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) competitiveness.
- The initiative also seeks to create a more resilient food system that ensures both consumer and producer security.
- To address environmental concerns, some territories will explore renewable energy solutions for energy independence.
- The program promotes sustainability by encouraging innovative circular economy practices.
- In the realm of science and technology, the program encourages the development of policy strategies to facilitate data-and-cloud-computing and industry advancements.
- By sharing knowledge and resources, this European collaboration is expected to contribute to the global conversation on finance, economy, and environmental science, ultimately driving innovation and policy development across multiple industries.
