Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys (HORIZON-EIE-2025-02-CONNECT-02)

The action is intended to create connected regional innovation valleys across the European Union (EU), involving regions with lower innovation performances, by building on strategic areas of regional strength and specialisation (defined in their smart specialisation strategies), in support of key EU priorities. In particular, the topic will support strategically oriented long-term programmes of activities (Annual Work Programmes) to enable authorities in charge of public national or regional innovation policies or programmes with the participation of the private sector and research and innovation actors, to implement joint activities towards innovation development and deployment, possibly including innovation procurement, aimed at tackling challenges at EU, national and regional level. Regions represented by successful applicant national or regional authorities under this call will be recognised as “regional innovation valleys”.

Available budget: EUR 35 million