{"id":19538,"date":"2024-12-08T06:51:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T06:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19538"},"modified":"2024-12-08T06:51:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T06:51:00","slug":"the-last-word-reinventing-the-regional-innovation-scheme-for-a-new-decade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19538","title":{"rendered":"The last word: Reinventing the Regional Innovation Scheme for a new decade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The next chapter of RIS must be bold. The programme needs a reinvention that addresses its most persistent challenges and embraces opportunities for meaningful transformation.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The European Institue of Innovation and Technology\u2019s (EIT) Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) is Europe\u2019s flagship initiative to bring innovation closer to regions often left on the periphery.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It has built bridges between research, education, and business, planting the seeds of innovation in places that needed it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/the-last-word-its-time-to-reinvent-the-way-we-approach-technology\/\">It\u2019s time to reinvent the way we approach technology<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/the-last-word-celebrating-emerging-europes-wave-of-innovation-and-reinvention\/\">Celebrating emerging Europe\u2019s wave of innovation and reinvention<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/the-last-word-reinventing-rural-development-in-emerging-europe\/\">Reinventing rural development in emerging Europe<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Last week saw <a href=\"https:\/\/eit-ris.eu\/eitris10event\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the tenth anniversary of RIS<\/a> in Budapest, a conference and celebration which I was delighted to host.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like any initiative born in a specific time and context, RIS now faces a world vastly different from the one it was designed for. As Europe grapples with green and digital transitions, global competitiveness, and societal challenges, the scheme must evolve to remain relevant\u2014and impactful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The next decade\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>During two panel discussions, we tried to come up with ideas and solutions that could prepare the programme for the next decade, both in terms of policy and implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conclusion was that the next chapter of RIS must be bold. It\u2019s not enough to patch the cracks;\u00a0the programme needs more focus and simplification\u2014a reflection on addressing its most persistent challenges and embracing opportunities for meaningful transformation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While RIS has undeniably contributed to levelling the playing field, its impact has been uneven. Some regions thrive, while others struggle to build even the foundations of an innovation ecosystem. It\u2019s a stark reminder that ambition must be matched by focus and strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One pressing priority is fostering greater collaboration between regions. RIS regions can no longer operate as isolated nodes. The programme must become a network, with high-performing innovation hubs actively mentoring emerging clusters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cross-border projects should be the rule, enabling talent and resources to flow where they\u2019re most needed. This kind of interconnected approach doesn\u2019t just strengthen individual regions; it strengthens Europe as a whole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The green and digital transition\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Equally crucial is embedding the green and digital transitions at the core of RIS. These aren\u2019t just buzzwords\u2014they\u2019re existential imperatives for Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RIS must become a catalyst for ideas that address climate change and leverage technology to solve real-world problems. Supporting start-ups and innovators in these areas will position the scheme as a key driver of Europe\u2019s future competitiveness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But transformation isn\u2019t only about funding ideas; it\u2019s about empowering people. RIS needs to take skills development to the next level. Programmes that equip individuals with expertise in artificial intelligence, green energy, and advanced manufacturing can help create a workforce ready to lead the charge.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The talent gap is real and closing it will require a concerted effort that begins in regions often overlooked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reimagining what regional innovation means\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Flexibility is another ingredient that RIS 2.0 needs to embrace. Regions differ in their capacities and needs, and a one-size-fits-all funding model won\u2019t work.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smaller grants for early-stage experimentation and larger allocations for scaling proven concepts can ensure resources are used where they\u2019ll have the most impact.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tailored solutions will also help engage a broader range of participants, including women, youth, and communities historically excluded from innovation ecosystems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At its heart, reinventing RIS is about transforming it from a support scheme to a driver of transformative change. It needs a stronger identity\u2014a clearer voice that resonates with stakeholders and demonstrates its value beyond funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RIS should embody Europe\u2019s commitment to inclusive, impactful innovation, becoming a programme that regions aspire to be part of.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The future of RIS lies in its ability to reimagine what regional innovation means. This isn\u2019t just about improving processes or reallocating budgets; it\u2019s about creating a vision of innovation without borders, where every region contributes meaningfully to Europe\u2019s progress. If done right, RIS 2.0 won\u2019t just support Europe\u2019s innovation agenda\u2014it will redefine it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>At Emerging Europe, we use an integrated approach centred around market intelligence to help organisations understand trends and strategically position themselves for success. &nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Learn how our solutions can help you thrive in the region:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em> <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/our-story\/\" target=\"_blank\">Company and Services Overview<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/strategic-advantage\/\" target=\"_blank\">Strategic Advantage<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The next chapter of RIS must be bold. The programme needs a reinvention that addresses its most persistent challenges and embraces opportunities for meaningful transformation.&nbsp; The<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[6912,6913,6320,6623,8074,8017,8075,6624,6621,61],"class_list":["post-19538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-eit","tag-european-institute-of-innovation-and-technology","tag-featured","tag-health","tag-regional-innovation-scheme","tag-reinvention","tag-ris","tag-start-ups","tag-startups","tag-technology-innovation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19538"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19538\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}