The Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) conference is the leading European policy forum for innovation and regional development. This event will bring together key players from the innovation and education ecosystems to enhance science-based competitiveness. The conference will focus on knowledge-driven regional development and propose solutions to optimise resource allocation.
The conference is organized by the Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office as an official partner event for the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will take place from 13 to 14 November in Budapest, with the support of the European Commission.
Aim of the event
The program will explore various initiatives, concepts, and tools introduced by the European Union, such as the Smart Specialization concept, Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, the Partnerships for Regional Innovation pilot, and Regional Innovation Valleys. To provide a comprehensive and detailed overview, speakers will evaluate the effectiveness of these tools, present successful practices, and highlight synergies between European and regional funding schemes.
Programme outline
Day 1: Role of Regions in Fostering the Quadruple Helix Innovation Ecosystem
The first day will cover various topics, including the catalysts of change in place-based innovation ecosystems, with a case study of the University 4.0 concept and Brainport Eindhoven. There will also be discussions on regional innovation through innovation ecosystems, tools for boosting regional competitiveness, and Hungary’s practice for fostering regional innovation through the TIP (Regional Innovation Platform) concept.
Day 2: Role of Regions in Overcoming the Fragmentation of the European Innovation Ecosystem
On the second day, participants will explore the 2024 Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its implications, the validity of traditional innovation measurement tools, and strategies for increasing regional competitiveness. Other topics include the dynamics of innovation gaps, the role of regions in fostering innovation, and introducing the Regional Innovation Valley concept. The day will conclude with a plenary session on the future directions of the 10th Framework Programme and enhancing synergies between the Framework Programmes and the Structural Funds.
The complete programme is available at the event webpage.
Technical specifications
Participation in the workshop is free, but prior registration is required. The deadline for registration is 8 November.
Widening participation and strengthening the European research area (WIDERA)
The Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence sub-programme contributes to building research and innovation capacity in countries that are lagging behind, in line with the policy objectives of the European Research Area.
The benefits that flow from Widening actions permeate through to non-widening research institutions and advanced partners, as they help expand and diversify networks to regions where connections may not yet be fully developed.
Hungary is among the Widening Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These, together with some Associated Countries and the Outermost Regions, are less R&I advanced countries eligible to coordinate Widening actions.
UKRO operates the Widening UK National Contact Point (NCP), providing free information and advice on UK participation in this ‘transversal’ pillar.