The Pilot Action will involve up to 24 European territories (regions, groups of regions or EU Member States) who:
- share a strong ambition to transform their economies and societies and
- are willing to explore renewed partnerships for Regional Innovation - PRI in the design and implementation of their own strategic policy framework dealing with innovation, industrial development, sustainability transitions and socio-economic development (e.g. their smart specialisation strategies).
PRI aims to enhance the coordination and directionality of regional, national and EU R&I policies to implement Europe’s green and digital transitions and to tackle the innovation divide in the EU. PRI will be firmly anchored in the EU policy framework, supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal, Horizon Europe, Cohesion policy and NextGenerationEU.
Particular attention will be placed on tools and governance mechanisms that mobilise multiple sources of funding and policies to amplify impact, and that can help connect regional and national initiatives to EU initiatives for the twin transition. More information is available below.
The main reference document underpinning the
Partnerships for Regional Innovation - PRI Pilot Action will be the forthcoming "PRI Playbook", currently being developed by the JRC-European Commission with the support of a Scientific Committee of recognised experts. The initial edition of the PRI Playbook (forthcoming, May 2022) will showcase proven tools, inspired by leading innovation policy practice across Europe and the world. Over the course of the pilot, the tools will be further improved, adapted and tested against the realities of European regions and Member States. As a result, the PRI Playbook will be further developed and improved to offer operational guidance in an accessible and modular format, including a user-friendly online version. The PRI Playbook is aimed at inspiring all levels of government to better leverage policies for innovation, including in domains outside the traditional remit of research and innovation policy.
The JRC will support the pilot and work closely with regions and Member States to co-develop the Playbook, linking participants to appropriate in-house or external expertise, developing relevant policy intelligence, documenting and disseminating broader lessons. The Pilot will also be supported by the dedicated Scientific Committee and other relevant experts.
The Pilot seeks to enhance synergies across EU investment programmes (e.g. Next GenerationEU, Structural Funds, Horizon Europe) and EU instruments, including the European missions (e.g. for transformative climate adaptation).