Brussels seminar highlights regions’ role in Europe’s research and technology infrastructure strategy

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, hosted a high-level seminar to explore how Europe’s new strategy for research and technology infrastructures can boost regional innovation and strengthen the EU’s global competitiveness.

Policymakers, regional leaders and experts agreed that a more coordinated and accessible infrastructure landscape is needed to better link local excellence with the EU’s wider strategic goals.

Opening the event, Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo and First Vice-Chair of the CoR’s SEDEC commission, said regions and cities must be placed at the heart of Europe’s innovation agenda. MEP Eszter Lakos stressed the need to align infrastructure investments with the EU’s industrial and technological priorities and to create stronger synergies between EU funding and regional capacities.

Participants highlighted the key role of cities and regions in connecting universities, SMEs, industry and public authorities within local innovation ecosystems. They also identified fragmentation and unequal access to infrastructures as major challenges.

In the closing session, CoR rapporteur Markku Markkula called for stronger multi-level governance to ensure local and regional authorities help shape and implement the strategy. The seminar concluded that Europe’s future innovation strength will depend on turning regional excellence into an integrated, competitive European network.

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