Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) 2020

Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) is the main European policy forum for innovation and regional development. The conference provides a platform for policy makers, public authorities, knowledge centres and enterprises to discuss research and innovation (R&I) practices, challenges and opportunities throughout the European regions, with a direct view on the current and future EU funding programs.

Due to COVID-19, this year's edition (11th) will be organised online but it is hosted by the University of Split (Croatia), under the Croatian Presidency of the EU. WIRE is a conference supported, among others, by the European Commission.

Within the remit of the SEDEC Commission you deal with artificial intelligence, education and training, and mobility, among other topics. The recent evolution of all these factors seems to put less developed regions at a disadvantage. What can less developed regions do in these fields to redress the growth of the innovation gap?

-      Territorial cohesion is at the heart of the work carried out by the European Committee of the Regions.

-      Therefore, addressing regional disparities - caused by geographical, economic, demographic, or other handicaps – is a transversal priority for the Committee and for the SEDEC Commission.

-      This is why, within the context of Horizon Europe, we want a focus on scientific excellence and the innovation capacity of Europe as a whole. We want to tap into the full potential of all its cities and regions[1].

-      Moreover, we consider that "digital cohesion" is an important additional dimension of the traditional concept of economic, social and territorial cohesion defined in the EU Treaty. This is why we want strong cooperation between all levels of government in the EU to achieve better use, further enhancement and upscaling of a citizen-driven digital transformation in cities and communities.

-      With this in mind, the network of digital innovation hubs should be promoted throughout the EU, in order to ensure that each NUTS2 region has one hub, established with the support of the Digital Europe programme[2].

-      At the same time, we know that brain drain threatens the long-term sustainability of the European project. Sending regions are face a double challenge: they need convergence (to close the gap with receiving regions), but are losing their skilled workforce.

-      So, we need to close the gap between sending and receiving regions to ensure that any transition to a sustainable and competitive economic model based on the knowledge economy and high added-value products is successful[3].

-      We also know that demographic change in Europe will lead to labour shortages in many Member States and regions. It is therefore important to safeguard cross-border labour mobility and workers' rights.

-      The problem of skills shortages, especially for small local and regional rural communities, should be rectified through education and new technologies[4], within the context of digital cohesion.

-      In conclusion, less developed regions need to be empowered to redress broken connectivity links or create new ones.

-      Interregional cooperation in research and innovation is going to be a key element for recovery[5]. Regions can and must test new approaches for the green and digital transition. Stronger regional clusters are key to strong European Innovation Ecosystems, and a speedier recovery.

-      Being connected and accessible minimises the risks of being left behind. This is also the message of your logo.

[1] INI opinion by Christophe Clergeau (PES/France) on "Local and Regional Dimension of the Horizon 2020 Programme and the New Framework Programme for Research and Innovation" (COR-2017-00854)

[2] INI opinion by Anne Karjalainen on "Digital Europe for all: delivering smart and inclusive solutions on the ground" (COR-2019-03332)

[3] INI opinion by Emil Boc (EPP/Romania) on "Brain drain in the EU: addressing the challenge at all levels" (COR-2019-04645)

[4] Opinion by Anne Karjalainen on a "Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions" (COR-2020-02167)

[5] ECON opinion by Jeannette Baljeu (NL/ALDE) on "A place-based approach to EU industrial policy" (COR-2018-05941)