Regional innovation
Growth is increasingly related to the capacity of regional economies to change and innovate. Regions and cities have become the primary spatial units where knowledge is transferred, innovation systems are built and competition to attract investments and talents takes place.
Regions are an appropriate level for stimulating innovation: Many regional governments have important competences and budgets in the field of innovation. Their geographical proximity facilitates the acquisition, accumulation and use of knowledge. Regions' performance depends not only on that of enterprises and research institutes but also on interactions between different stakeholders, enterprises and organisations, whose knowledge and know-how build up over time.
EU innovation policy has placed a strong emphasis on networks which link the business to the surrounding environment (other firms, universities, research institutes, etc.) and are active mostly at regional level, e.g. in the field of cluster initiatives.
The Regional Innovation Monitor provides regional administrators, researchers and other stakeholders with information about main innovation policy measures and trends in all EU regions.
