Upcoming virtual events
#7 How to build a successful I3 proposal?Date: 19 June 2025
Time: 14:00 -15:30 CETAs the new Work Programme 2025-2027 for I3 has been adopted and 2025 calls for Strands 1 and 2a have been recently announced, the audience will gain insights into the rationale, scope, and expectations of this funding instrument, as well as practical guidance on navigating in the 2025 calls structure and logic. The main aim of this virtual event is to give the participants understanding what they can gain from participating in I3 instrument projects, what should they keep in mind, e.g. what kind of partnership to form and what is needed for a successful application.
The session is planned to be held after the online info day organised by EISMEA on 11 June. This session will be tailored to minimise overlap and duplication, but will try to be more hands-on by providing examples of projects and how they developed a consortium and a project application, highlight the viewpoint of an I3 evaluator how they look at proposals and what they want to see in a project application and will provide time for answering questions from audience members on the topic of how to prepare a successful I3 project application.
More specifically this virtual event will help the participants to:
- Understand the scope and expectations of I3 instrument and the programme structure.
- Understand how I3 differs from other funding instruments, such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, etc; differences in applications
- Get insights why they should participate in I3 projects and practical tips for best practices.
- Share the experiences of practitioners involved in I3 projects on what to keep in mind when preparing an I3 proposal?
- Better understand the point of view of an evaluator – what makes a proposal a good proposal?
- #8 The Role of Clusters and Networks in Interregional Innovation Investments
Date: 25 June 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 CETIn this session, we will explore the value of clusters in the implementation of I3 projects. The session will provide concrete examples of ongoing I3 projects, the role and activities clusters play in them, and discuss how to enhance cluster participation and actions in the I3 framework in the future. Additionally, the role clusters can play in building interregional value chains and contribute to sustaining collaboration after the completion of the project will be discussed.
Concretely, the session will:
- Showcase examples of clusters involved in I3 projects
- Explain the different roles that clusters can take on in I3 projects, including coordinating, ensure quadruple helix participation, building interregional value chains, access to investments, ensure sustainable follow-up after project completion
- Offer an exchange on how clusters can strengthen their impact within the I3 framework
Past virtual events
- #1 Financial reporting & communication for I3 Instrument projects
Date: 29 January 2025
Time: 14:00 -15:30 CETThe first I3 Support Facility virtual event focused on financial reporting and communication strategies for I3 Instrument projects.
In the first part of the session, Jana Dobiasova (EISMEA) covered key aspects of financial management, including mid-term reporting, the eligibility of unit travel costs, transferring funds between partners, and the process for revising detailed budget tables.
The second part, led by Communication Advisor at EISMEA Marie Faturová, explored effective communication strategies for I3 projects. She provided insights on increasing project visibility on social media and shared practical tips for improving outreach and engagement.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to seek clarification on both financial and communication topics. This ensured they left with a clear understanding of how to efficiently manage and promote their projects for maximum impact.
- #2 Quadruple Helix – Key actors and how they operate
Date: 5 March 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 CETThe second I3SF Virtual Event explored the Quadruple Helix model, focusing on the collaboration between policymakers, industry, academia, and civil society in driving innovation. The session began with an introduction to the I3 Instrument Support Facility, followed by a presentation on the key roles of stakeholders within the Quadruple Helix, delivered by Sander van der Molen (I3 Instrument Support Facility, Civitta), highlighting the challenges and opportunities in these partnerships.
Next, Marko Hren (Slovenia’s Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development) then discussed the role of national and regional authorities in developing regional innovation ecosystems, sharing examples of successful innovation policies that foster Quadruple Helix collaboration.
Following this, Ints Viksna (Project Coordinator of Strand 2b), explored the contributions of technology parks, clusters, and innovation agencies in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and enhancing the uptake of research.
The event concluded with a discussion on real-world applications and case studies, focusing on successful collaborations within the Quadruple Helix model and the importance of involving all actors to create impactful project proposals.
- #3 From Thematic Platforms to I3 Instrument projects
Date: 31 March 2025
Time: 14:00–15:30 CETThe third I3Support Facility Virtual Event, "From Thematic Platforms to I3 Projects," explored how Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships (TSSPs) and I3 projects foster interregional innovation ecosystems.
Maja Ferlinc (EISMEA) opened the event with an introduction to the I3 instrument and Support Facility. Els Van de Velde (S3 CoP Secretariat & IDEA Consult) then presented the Smart Specialisation Community of Practice (S3 CoP) as a hub for guidance, networking, and peer learning, highlighting support for TSSPs.
René Wijlens (I3 Project Inshape, Sport & Vitality TSSP) discussed how TSSPs can leverage I3 projects to strengthen interregional innovation. Jasmina Solecka (I3 Project Value4Pack, Food Packaging TSSP) examined how I3 projects help establish sustainable partnerships and long-term collaboration.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion on challenges, financing models, and opportunities for TSSPs to expand interregional networks through I3 projects
- #4 Financial support to SMEs in I3 Instrument: practical applications
Date: 30 April 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 CETThe fourth I3 Support Facility virtual event focused on the practical application of financial support to SMEs through the “financial support to third parties” (FSTP) mechanism within I3 Instrument projects.
The session began with a presentation from EISMEA representatives Milena Stoyanova and Valentina Pinna, who explained the rationale, rules, and expected outcomes of applying FSTP in I3 projects. They clarified the key elements of the mechanism and addressed common concerns related to its implementation, particularly in the context of state aid compliance.
The second part of the event showcased practical examples from ongoing I3 projects. Speakers from INSHAPE (ACCIO), DEREMco (Meta Group), and I4GREEN (ICAMCYL Foundation) shared their experiences with FSTP in their respective initiatives. These real-life cases illustrated how the mechanism can successfully integrate additional SMEs into interregional innovation value chains, highlighting both achievements and challenges.
An interactive discussion, moderated by Roberta Dall’Olio (I3 Support Facility), allowed participants to delve deeper into the practical barriers and opportunities presented by FSTP. The exchange provided valuable insights into how FSTP can strengthen cooperation and innovation capacity across regions.
- #5 Fostering joint innovation investments across EU regions: public funding for interregional innovation
Date: 7 May 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 CETThe fifth I3 Support Facility virtual event explored the wide range of public funding instruments available to support interregional innovation collaboration across the EU. The session opened with a welcome and introduction by Isabel Schöfl (Prognos AG), followed by an update on the I3 Instrument in 2025, presented by a speaker from EISMEA. These opening remarks set the stage for understanding how different funding mechanisms can contribute to innovation ecosystems at various stages—from early strategic cooperation to advancing prototypes towards market readiness.
The central presentation, delivered by Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer (Prognos AG), offered a comparative overview of funding initiatives such as Interreg Europe, Interreg macroregional programmes, the I3 Instrument, and Horizon Europe’s European Innovation Ecosystems. He highlighted their thematic focus, practical applications, and how they align with different phases of the innovation journey, equipping participants with a strategic framework for engaging with public funding at interregional level.
The event then featured practitioner insights, beginning with Iris Reingruber (Business Upper Austria) who introduced the Innovation Express Call Scheme 2024, followed by Ricardo Simões (Head of the Innovation Unit, Norte Region) presenting the VInnovate Call 2024. These examples demonstrated how regional actors are already leveraging ERDF-supported instruments to foster joint innovation investments, offering practical lessons on both opportunities and implementation.
An interactive discussion, again moderated by Isabel Schöfl, invited participants to engage directly with the speakers, exploring real-life challenges and successful strategies in navigating EU funding instruments.
- #6 Building Interregional Corridors
Date: 21 May 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 CETThe sixth I3 Support Facility virtual event focused on introducing practical frameworks and tested methodologies for establishing long-term, structural interregional innovation collaboration beyond the typical project lifecycle. The session centred around the emerging concept of “interregional corridors”—a strategic and structured approach to building sustainable partnerships between European regions.
The event opened with welcoming remarks and context-setting by Justina Ivanova (I3 Support Facility), followed by a keynote from Maurits Butter (TNO), who explained the strategic importance of EU interregional collaboration and the core aims of the corridor concept. He then presented the Interregional Innovation Corridors framework, detailing its key elements such as shared vision, robust governance, and sustainability mechanisms, supported by a clear visual structure to guide implementation.
Participants engaged in a guided reflection and practical exercise, led by Maurits Butter, using interactive tools such as Mentimeter to explore their own regions’ collaboration needs and the potential roles they could play in an interregional corridor. This segment enabled attendees to link theoretical concepts with real-world priorities in their innovation ecosystems.
A case study presentation by Charlotte Edzard (DHM) followed, showcasing how corridor-building is being implemented in practice, including lessons learned and challenges encountered during the process. The session continued with an overview of corridor support tools and services, presented again by Maurits Butter, highlighting actionable resources and guidance available to help regions establish more continuous and strategic cooperation pathways.