Industrial research, experimental development and technology transfer – these are some of the main aspects of an EU-funded project to promote 10 Technopoles in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The investment has led to the signing of more than 3,000 contracts between businesses and workshops, turning the region into one of the EU’s main innovation hubs. Technopoles are centres of hi-tech research and development The initiative has led to creation of 10 Technopoles at 20 sites across the region More than 3,000 research contracts, worth a total of €201 million, have been signed between businesses and workshops The project was made possible by EU funding of €112 million