Introduction by Neth-ER
On October 15th, Neth-ER organised the hybrid "Regional Innovation Impact Event” during the European week of Regions and Cities. Dominique Selier, policy officer at Neth-ER, started off with a warm welcome on behalf of organising partners MBO Raad (the Dutch VET council) and Vereniging Hogescholen (Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences)/UASNL. She introduced the topic of regional innovation ecosystems and health ecosystems as a subtheme.
Keynote speech: examples of regional innovation ecosystems
The event's keynote speaker was Klaus Niederlander, Network Manager at Vanguard Initiative, a network of European innovation regions. Niederlander outlined how systemic risks and geopolitical realities shape our understanding of sharing, cooperation and ownership. For example, the Vanguard Initiative collaborates with innovation, business and research organisations. In Brussels, they focus on the smart specialisation strategy, the development of the I3-funding tool and bottom-up regional collaboration. The challenge is how to interlink regional collaboration on a European scale. Another example, The Danish Health Regions have a forward-looking, pro-active system with leadership on all levels, where they work together with professionals in the arts, medicine and social sciences.
Keynote speech: a model of human essence and collaboration
Zooming out, Niederlander views humans as the essence of ecosystems, requiring a different way of collaborating. Niederlander sees positive health, learning and vocation as crucial for human development. These aspects need to be activated, but the question is how. Other important aspects in ecosystems are a culture of collaboration, self-organising principles and a transformative mindset. Niederlander stated that these aspects should be tailored to fit the relevant ecosystem. The supporting outside framework consists of trust, rules and available human, institutional and financial resources, and inter- and infrastructures. In between the outside framework and the essence, the entrepreneurial factor accounts for the business-side of an ecosystem. It consists of the governance of the ecosystem, the service it provides, its financial viability and the managerial necessities. The ecosystem investment agenda needs to take the whole picture into account.
Q&A: governance, universities and growth
The lack of governances obstructs the establishment of ecosystems. Therefore, Niederlander called for the inclusion of humanities and social science research, a forward-looking approach, and a critical look at ownership and governance. Niederlander recommended that universities be aware of their role in ecosystems, as they have more resources for funding compared to other parties. They should also be aware of what their regions do in the EU. Universities also play a critical role on the learning and activating side of ecosystems. On the other hand, universities of applied sciences should focus on innovation. Lastly, Niederlander stated that European ecosystems do not really exist. They are too small, but they can grow and compete through collaboration. The growth of ecosystems should be encouraged by actors involved. The European Commission is only equipped with policy changes and financing as tools.
Pitch: ecosystems in a European perspective
Astrid Hannes, Head of Projects at ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network), gave concrete examples of ecosystems and her view on the current policy climate. Contrary to Niederlander, Hannes believes that European ecosystems do exist. Hannes echoed Niederlander's emphasis on trust, collaboration and looking beyond project- based collaboration. She added that these aspects are not adequately supported in EU initiatives, using the Horizon Europe EU Cancer Mission as an example. Here, national cancer hubs had been set up, though a regional approach might have been more appropriate. Hannes pointed out one bright spot, the EU fund for regional ecosystems: the interregional innovation investments instrument.
Panel Opening: why be part of regional ecosystems?
The panel's moderator was Scilla van Cuijlenborg, strategic advisor on internationalisation, research & innovation at the Dutch VET Council. Next to Astrid Hannes, the panellists included Liliya Terzieva from the Hague University of Applied Sciences, Marjolein den Ouden from the Saxion University of Applied Sciences and Regional Community College of Twente and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Arens-Fischer from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Their motivators in this field range from the importance of human interaction, and the curiosity paired with it, to knowledge transfer to companies and seeing the work in Brussels pay off as affiliated partners receive European funding.
Panel discussion: human connection is key
The panel discussion covered important aspects for fruitful collaboration and possible improvements in ecosystems. All panellists agreed that human connection and building on existing networks is key to a well-functioning ecosystem. Terzieva added that collaboration does not 'just happen'. It requires daily labour to exchange knowledge and maintain ties. For Den Ouden, regional collaboration has to include both professionals and researchers. EUVECA, a Centre of Vocational Excellence for future-proof care professionals, built on existing partnerships between researchers and health care professionals. For Arens-Fischer, an awareness of why you are collaborating is crucial. For example, MOVE, a binational curriculum, encourages the recognition of Euregional competences for Dutch and German VET students. According to Hannes, ecosystems need an institutional commitment with trust and long-term discussions.
Panel discussion: removing hierarchies and adding watchdogs?
For improvements in regional ecosystems, Arens-Fischer suggested a service-oriented central node in the ecosystem, which could make the ecosystem more clearly organised and efficient. For universities of applied sciences he saw a role as watchdogs, to ensure that every involved partner achieves the set goals. Terzieva rather saw universities of applied sciences as firestarters, as opposed to maintaining the boundaries. Van Ouden added that partner organisations should visit each other's places to understand each other's work and contributions to the project. Complementary, Terzieva recommends working against the hierarchical divide between the different types of knowledge institutions, as this hinders proper recognition of the research done at the different institutions. Lastly, Terzieva emphasises that a balance needs to be found between the necessary simplification to becoming a regional ecosystem and the value of the collaboration.
Q&A: making ecosystems work
When does an ecosystem work well? Hannes explained it needs consistent, forward-looking efforts. Per an Italian example, she illustrated unity in Brussels is crucial, as well as support from the public sector. When asked how to best communicate with regional partners, Hannes recommended addressing the parties’ needs and interests. For companies, this is increased market access, and for researchers, it is a support network.
Calls to Action
Hannes concluded with a call to action: 2026 is the year to speak up in Brussels. Den Ouden emphasised that regional collaborations should be encouraged to upscale to the European level. Terzieva encourages the audience to enter an unknown, but pleasant field. She also highlights the importance of creating a strategic identity of what transition means for us. Arens-Fischer reminded the audience that small regional ecosystems are just as vital to solve issues, as big ecosystems are.
Closing Remarks: looking at connection in the EU
Geleyn Meijer, board member of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and the chair of Univerisities of Applied Sciences Netherlands, emphasised that despite the discussed room for improvement, the EU has already enabled much collaboration. He highlighted that collaboration always starts with people and connection. Once made, the art is to condense these loose connections into networks. Such networks need to be institutionalised to give them shape and sustain the ecosystems. He echoed that this engagement should be maintained past the completion of a project.
Closing Remarks: suggestions for the future
Meijer referred to two issues brought up by Arens-Fischer and Hannes. Regarding, Arens-Fischer's watchdog proposal, Meijer added that universities of applied sciences could help maintain the ecosystem and ensure that all involved actors receive equal opportunities. Referring to Hannes’ statement on the mismatch between EU programs and the needs of regional ecosystems, he called for a dialogue on proper criteria for EU funding. He concluded that ecosystems are here to stay, but we are not there yet.
Context
The event on regional innovation ecosystems was organised by Neth-ER, together with member organiszations MBO Raad and Vereniging Hogescholen/UASNL, and focused on the struggles, strengths and areas of improvement of these ecosystems. The event took place in light of the European Week of Regions and Cities, an annual week dedicated to regional and urban policy initiatives. Policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from all over the EU are invited to learn from each other and network.
Co-written by Dagmar Coppens.
