Building thriving innovation ecosystems

The Policy Learning Platform, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Labour and the Ministry of Education and Science, organises its first capacity-building event on 19 November 2024, in Skopje, North Macedonia. The event will take place at INNOFEIT (Rugjer Boshkovikj 18), the Center for Technology Transfer Innovations.

The event will focus on innovation ecosystems through university-industry collaboration, a topic largely shared among the Interreg Europe community and of particular importance for local and regional policymakers. It is an opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to explore successful strategies to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems. Participants will learn how to foster innovation, promote economic growth, and create sustainable partnerships reinforcing university-industry collaboration.

Capacity building events are open to any community member, but they are specially designed for new Partner States in the Interreg Europe programme, offering newcomers access to valuable knowledge and expertise of past and current Interreg Europe projects, thus facilitating their integration in the programme and support their policy needs.

The workshop will feature interactive sessions, expert presentations, and practical exercises, ensuring attendees leave with actionable insights on driving innovation in their regions.

In 2024, Interreg Europe officially welcomed 7 new Partner States in the programme. To facilitate their integration in the programme and support them in their policy needs, the Policy Learning Platform designed a new format of onsite events, the capacity-building. Newcomers can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of past and current Interreg Europe projects. 

For emerging innovators, as many regions in the new Partner States are, the key is to leverage collaborative networks and funding mechanisms that foster such partnerships. This ensures the development of an inclusive innovation ecosystem where research institutions, businesses, and government bodies can collaborate to tackle regional challenges and seize new opportunities.