During a high-level event on Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) co-organised by the European Commission and the European Committees of the Regions (CoR), EPP-CoR members highlighted the need to embrace innovation not only to make the twin transition a reality but also to address territorial challenges.
Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) is a strategic approach to innovation-driven territorial transformation, linking EU priorities with national plans and place-based opportunities and challenges. The PRI Pilot action kicked off on 17 May 2022 as a joint initiative by the Joint Research Centre and the European Committee of the Regions, supported by Commissioners Gabriel and Ferreira.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of Central Macedonia, Greece said "The pilot project stands out as a very positive example of collaboration between the Commission, the CoR and the regions: the CoR was instrumental in mobilising 74 territories, and for this reason we want to propose to the Commission to further extend the PRI Pilot." Tzitzikostas called for a dedicated approach to involve smaller regions in the PRI, to help them to address problems such as brain drain, the automotive transition, or the coal transition. He said "Such approach to innovation would help cohesion."
Tanya Hristova, CoR SEDEC Chair said that the PRI should not only be used to help the participating regions address the broader issues of climate change and digitalisation, but also more specific regional challenges of innovation and socio-economic transition. Hristova, who serves as Mayor of Gabrovo added "We need to attract more private funding for research and innovation in the regions, and more has to be done to strengthen synergies between the EU Horizon programme and the European Regional Development Fund. The PRI should stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship and go hand in hand with EU policies simplifying regulations applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises."
Markku Markkula, President of Helsinki Region appealed to regions to express interest to become regional innovation valleys across the EU. He said "The statements today by the Commissioners and our experiences within the PRI exercises have clearly given evidence that the necessary European-wide green and digital transformations cannot be built by implementing the innovation policy as usual. The EU needs an upgraded role for innovation. In this regard, the CoR has a vital role. Innovation happens on the ground by individuals and their communities. Innovation is, above all, a mindset issue targeted to open collaborative discovery." Markkula added that the regional innovation policy must strive for transformative, system-level societal innovation in enabling and accelerating the necessary changes.
Birgitta Sacrédeus, member of Dalarna Regional Council said "In order to make the Green Deal a success, we need to use place-based opportunities and challenges at regional level and link these to national efforts and plans as well as our shared EU priorities. I believe that the PRI, can build the bridges we need to ensure this development. It will serve as an important milestone in creating a shared view on how to use innovation-driven territorial transformations in order to strengthen the changes we all want to see."
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca and Chair of CoR COTER Commission said "Partnerships for Regional Innovation are one of the best instruments to bring people, territories and communities together to boost innovation and create jobs in every part of the European Union. Working better together in different ways than before, this is the very essence of the Partnership for Regional Innovation."