The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, hosted a high-level seminar in Brussels on 5 May to discuss how Europe’s new strategy for research and technology infrastructures can strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and reinforce Europe’s global competitiveness.
The event, which took place at the European Committee of the Regions, brought together policymakers, regional leaders, and research and innovation experts to discuss how a more coordinated and accessible European infrastructure landscape could better connect local excellence with the European Union’s broader strategic ambitions.
Opening the seminar, Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), First Vice-Chair of the SEDEC Commission of the European Committee of the Regions, underlined the importance of placing regions and cities at the centre of Europe’s innovation agenda. She stressed that local and regional authorities are not merely implementers of policy, but strategic actors capable of shaping competitive innovation ecosystems and driving sustainable economic development.
Eszter Lakos (HU/EPP), member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, highlighted the need to align infrastructure investments with Europe’s industrial and technological priorities. She also pointed to the importance of creating stronger synergies between EU funding instruments and regional capacities in order to maximise long-term impact.
High-level representatives of the European Commission emphasised the need for a more coordinated and accessible infrastructure ecosystem across Europe. They highlighted that improving cross-border access to infrastructures for researchers, innovators, and industry will be essential to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and innovation performance. Throughout the discussions, participants emphasised the central role of cities and regions in hosting and integrating research and technology infrastructures into local innovation ecosystems, connecting universities, SMEs, public authorities, and industry. During the panel debate, speakers identified fragmentation and unequal access to infrastructures as key challenges for Europe’s innovation landscape. At the same time, they pointed to significant opportunities to scale up collaboration, strengthen knowledge valorisation, and develop cross-regional partnerships.
In the final session, Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), member of the Espoo City Council and rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions’ opinion on “A European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures”, presented the institution’s key messages and recommendations on the topic. He stressed that a successful European approach must be based on stronger multi-level governance, ensuring that local and regional authorities are fully involved in both the design and implementation of the strategy. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver tangible benefits for citizens and territories, including new jobs, skills development, and enhanced regional competitiveness.
The seminar concluded with a shared understanding that Europe’s future innovation strength will depend on its ability to connect regional excellence with a common strategic vision, turning a diverse infrastructure landscape into an integrated and globally competitive European network.