I3-Capacity Building Call 2026 (I3-2026-CAP2b)

Objective

The overall objective of the I3 Strand 2b is to build capacity in less developed regions to develop and strengthen their regional innovation ecosystems and value chains through coordinated and interlinked investments in several regions.

This call for proposals aims to improve the capacity of public authorities and innovation intermediaries (e.g. clusters to support companies in the identification of investment portfolios at an interregional scale).

The purpose of this activity is to build capacities for a successful participation in Strand 1 or Strand 2a calls, enhancing interregional cooperation with a view to identifying and sharing good practices, deriving actionable policy recommendations, strengthening institutional capacities, and experimenting new approaches. This will also help public authorities and agencies to design evidence-based and targeted policy interventions in the long-term, including updates to regional Smart Specialisation Strategies and related innovation policy frameworks.

Projects can offer an added value when promoting the participation of EU outermost regions and addressing their specific needs. Due consideration will be given to such added value during the evaluation of I3 project proposals. Projects can also offer an added value when supporting regions with specific challenges, such as difficulties in retaining and attracting talents. I3 Instrument, in particular Strand 2b, is integral part of support on the ground offered by the European Commission to cities, regions and Member States, through the Talent Booster Mechanism where I3 Instrument with its capacity building component represents one of the pillars.

Budget

The available call budget is EUR 9.8 million.

Info session

An information session on the call targeted at eligible applicants will be held online on 19 November 2025. Register here