Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys

• Efficient, inclusive and interconnected innovation ecosystems across the EU, built on regional diversities and smart specialisation strategies, with enhanced joint vision, strategy and governance.

• Strengthened synergies and cooperation among European innovation ecosystems around strategic areas, technologies and EU-wide challenges, including through links with Excellence Hubs, Digital Innovation Hubs, Hubs for Circularity, Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, Enterprise Europe Network, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Valleys, Industry 5.0 hubs.

• Creation of common knowledge assets (methods, data, processes) and support to cross-border connectedness, boosting R&I ecosystem quality (e.g. biotech for health security and food systems).

• Increased innovation capabilities, including deep tech, enabling market uptake and EU-level scaling, and stronger links to public and private buyers of innovative solutions.

• Improved cohesion between ‘innovation leaders’/‘strong’ and ‘moderate’/‘emerging’ regions, enhancing interregional collaboration and value chain integration.

• Mobilisation of co-investments and additional funding (EU, national, regional, private) to complement Horizon Europe support and increase project ambition and impact.

• Broader participation of ecosystem actors in existing and emerging green and digital value chains, advancing the EU’s twin transition, open strategic autonomy, competitiveness, social cohesion, gender equality and diversity.

• Enhanced capacity building and coordination for innovation procurement, shortening time-to-market for solutions addressing procurement and societal needs.

• Improved innovation policy coordination and networking among Member States and Associated Countries via the EIC Forum.

• Eligible applicants: at least three national or regional authorities from three different Member States or Associated Countries, including at least one representing a ‘moderate’/‘emerging’ innovator region and one a ‘strong’/‘innovation leader’ region (as classified in the Regional/European Innovation Scoreboards or Global Innovation Index).

• Applicants must have pre-selected a specific thematic/technological area (including deep tech) aligned with their smart specialisation strategies and reached agreement on concrete objectives and action plans prior to submission.

• Project duration: 3–5 years, with annual work programmes scalable at European level and demonstrating strong EU added value.

• Applicants must commit to the joint coordination of their R&I investments and policies, present a shared strategic vision, and outline a detailed joint innovation programme of activities.

• Annual work programmes must include four clear steps (capacity building; strategy and work plans; joint activities; joint innovation actions) and provide provisions for at least three interregional, market-oriented innovation projects (FSTP or PCP/PPI) linked to EU priorities.

• Activities must be open, clear, realistic, impact-oriented, involve private actors (SMEs, start-ups, industry, investors, clusters, foundations), and leverage synergies with other EU, national, regional or private funding instruments and innovation strategies/policies.

• Proposals must explain selection rationale for thematic areas, detail consortium design and coordination mechanisms (mobilised resources, assets, stakeholder involvement), and define verifiable KPIs (e.g. linked to SDGs, EU Gender Equality Strategy).

• Applicants must secure and document a long-term commitment (letter of intent) and outline the source of complementary funding for at least 50% of total eligible costs.