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Research & Innovation Working Group

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Issues in focus

The existence of dynamic regional innovation ecosystems can be considered as a major push or pull factor for attracting and retaining talent. Such ecosystems provide a fertile environment for innovation, including access to cutting-edge research, entrepreneurial activities, and a network of supportive stakeholders such as universities, industries, and government bodies. The presence of robust infrastructure, cultural vibrancy, and high-quality services further enhances their appeal, making these regions attractive destinations for skilled professionals.

The Ninth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion highlights that the European Union continues to face a significant innovation divide. Innovation leaders are concentrated in Northern and Western Europe, while moderate and emerging innovators are primarily located in Southern and Eastern Europe. This disparity necessitates targeted interventions to bridge the innovation gap. These issues not only contribute to brain drain but are also exacerbated by it, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that hinders regional progress.

A considerable number of EU regions have not yet succeeded in integrating the requisite skills and workforce development into their innovation strategies. This reflects a broader tendency to regard skills advancement as a secondary priority rather than a core driver of innovation. Another significant challenge pertains to the valorisation of knowledge, which entails the process of converting research and innovation outcomes into products, services, and solutions that possess both social and economic value. This process requires appropriate skills and competences to maximise returns on R&I investments.

Objectives of the group

The R&I Working Group is committed to supporting necessary developments both at the policy level and on the ground, by contributing to the analysis of existing challenges and identifying potential solutions to help reduce regional and social disparities. Specifically, the R&I Working Group has dedicated its efforts to addressing the following issues:

  1. Place-based innovation strategies and skills development: The need for effective and transferable practices to strengthen the skills assessment and skills development in place-based research and innovation strategies.
  2. Knowledge valorisation and talent utilisation: The need for the advancement of knowledge valorisation across EU regions by reinforcing the commercialisation of research, which is essential for the deployment and retention of local expertise and talent.

For further information, please read more about the different topics in the respective issue papers.

Envisioned outputs

During its first year in operation, the Working Groups investigated, framed and described the issues they deem most prominent and which they would like to address (please see the issue papers in the download section), the groups have now moved on from this initial incubation phase to the delivery phase, working on the production of intermediary and final outputs.

As intermediary outputs, the R&I Working Group is focusing on:

  1. A Good Practices Catalogue (Volume 1), in collaboration with all other WGs. The catalogue presents a pool of cases from across the WGs, combined with initial reflections on their contribution to harnessing talent. R&I WG members have collected good practices focusing on enhancing knowledge valorisation and facilitation of academic and economic collaborations, enhancing innovation and research skills, implementing research and innovation support programmes to foster innovation and spin-offs.

As final outputs, the R&I Working Group is looking at:

  1. A Recommendation Paper on assessing skills development in place-based innovation strategies. This paper, which will be developed with the Territorial WG (Leader: R&I WG), will be designed to support stakeholders involved in regional innovation systems, such as policymakers, relevant R&I actors and regional authorities (e.g. funders of R&I in the region). It will offer targeted guidance to support the development of robust regional innovation ecosystems which are well-adapted to both current and future requirements of the workforce.
  2. Self-assessment tool to evaluate regional readiness to attract, retain, and develop talent, in collaboration with the Digital WG (Leader: Digital WG). This tool provides a diagnostic framework, enabling regions to pinpoint gaps in their ability to harness and translate knowledge into tangible innovative products. The R&I WG will produce a questionnaire focused on evaluating a regions readiness in various aspects of knowledge valorisation.
  3. A Toolkit on Knowledge Valorisation at the regional level. The toolkit will build on challenges in knowledge valorisation identified in the self-assessment tool to be developed in collaboration with the Digital WG (see point 3 above). The toolkit will provide guidance and tailored solutions to the challenges identified through the self-assessment tool. It will draw on best practices and proven strategies from other regions to provide the stakeholders with actionable steps.
  4. A Recommendation paper on access to essential services and quality of life, in collaboration with all other WGs (Leader: Territorial WG). Access to innovative solutions and services, regardless of an individual’s age, social status or place of home is an essential factor contributing to the overall quality of life. The R&I WG members would contribute with suggestions and ideas for potential actions for policymakers to help them ensure unrestricted access to innovative solutions and services, and therefore enhance the overall quality of life for all Europeans.
  5. A Good Practices Catalogue (Volume 2), in collaboration with all other WGs. The catalogue will follow a similar structure to the first edition. The publication of this second catalogue will allow the R&I WG to contribute with additional c good practice cases that are relevant to the issues tackled by the R&I WG.

For more details, please visit the strategic roadmap documents in the download section.

Meet our members

List of members

What the WG Leaders have to say

During our last physical meeting, we have asked our WG Leaders a few questions. Please watch the video below to understand what motivates them to be part of the HTP community and how they think the work of the groups can add value.

Downloads

Research & Innovation WG Strategic Roadmap
Issue paper: Knowledge valorisation and talent utilisation
Issue paper: Place-based innovation strategies and skills development
Research & Innovation WG Concept Note