Join the Regional Innovation Valleys – Powering Europe’s local strengths
Regional Innovation Valleys bring together less innovative regions with more innovative ones to address the most burning challenges facing the EU, such as reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, increasing global food security, mastering the digital transformation (including cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence - AI), improving healthcare and achieving circularity.
- 2023, launch with an overall commitment of at least €170 million
- 2024, the first five projects have received €116 million
- 2025, new calls for proposals were open under the work programmes of European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) and WIDERA
- 2026, six additional projects kick-off with nearly €43 million in funding from Horizon Europe
What are Regional Innovation Valleys
Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) aim for EU territories to lead in shaping a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable innovation landscape.
This is more than an EU funding programme rather it's an opportunity to:
- bridge innovation divides and strengthen Europe’s cohesion
- scale local solutions to European challenges: from food security to industrial transition
- unite forces across borders to build strong, interconnected innovation ecosystems
- leverage smart specialisation strategies to attract talent, investment and new markets
147 regions have been selected to receive an RIV label and committed to strengthening their research and innovation ecosystem; enhancing coordination and directionality of their research and innovation policy and investment towards key EU priorities; and engaging in research and innovation collaboration between less innovative regions and more innovative ones, with complementary smart specialisation strategies (S3).
Interactive map
Discover the new version of the Regional Innovation Valleys map – your gateway to exploring Europe’s forward-thinking innovation regions.
This interactive map displays the successful regions engaged in the initiative, allowing you to discover:
- interconnected valleys funded via the Horizon Europe funds
- regions that endorsed the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) instrument applications
- those regions which have not yet received funding but expressed their interest in the future calls
Contact innovative regions and empower your own region to lead in competitive and sustainable European innovation ecosystems.
Background
The Regional Innovation Valleys initiative is one of 25 actions of the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA). It aims to harness the full innovation potential across Europe, connecting less innovative regions with more innovative ones, and addressing social challenges through cutting-edge technology. Regions identify their own competitive advantages to bridge the innovation divide and use their complementary strengths for improved research and innovation ecosystems.
This network of regions enables them to:
- work together based, but not limited on, their smart specialisation strategies, meeting specific local challenges and needs, whilst contributing to the EU's strategic priorities
- strengthen their research and innovation investments and policies and engage in interregional cooperation
- identify potentially relevant partners, by facilitating matchmaking and interconnections among those regions that are committed to the same objectives
- prepare and/or implement joint innovation plans to establish connected regional innovation valleys
Documents
This Gap Analysis aims to
- identify the motivations and obstacles influencing regional participation in RIV calls, particularly CEI and EIE
- provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance future calls and stimulate more effective interregional collaboration
The Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) initiative is one of 25 actions of the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA). It aims to harness the full innovation potential across Europe, connecting less and more innovative regions and addressing social challenges through cutting edge technology.
Disclaimers
- Successful participation in the 2023 European Innovation Ecosystems Work Programme call gives the region the opportunity to be a part of a funded consortium. After signature of the grant agreement, the region will receive the label.
- Successful participation in the 2023 Interregional Innovations Investment (I3) Instrument calls requires eligible participant to submit a signed endorsement letter from the responsible regional/national authority for the smart specialisation strategy (S3). After signature of the grant agreement with such a participant, the endorsing region will receive the label.
- Successful participation in the call for expression of interest to become an RIV involves regions selected by independent experts based on their application in the second stage. No funding is provided to these regions.
- The data is based on self-declaration and/or clarifications from the applicants. In case of questions, please contact: RTD-REGIO-REGIONAL-INNOVATION-VALLEYS
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (RTD-REGIO-REGIONAL-INNOVATION-VALLEYS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)