Committee of the Regions highlights regions' role in research and technology infrastructure

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), together with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, hosted a high-level seminar in Brussels on 5 May to discuss how Europe's new strategy for research and technology infrastructures can strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and reinforce the EU's global competitiveness.

The event, which took place in the CoR, brought together policymakers, regional leaders and research and innovation experts to discuss how a more coordinated and accessible European infrastructure landscape could better connect local excellence with the European Union's broader strategic ambitions.

Opening the seminar, Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo and First Vice-Chair of the COR's Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC), underlined the importance of placing regions and cities at the centre of the EU's innovation agenda. She stressed that local and regional authorities are not merely implementers of policy, but also strategic actors capable of shaping competitive innovation ecosystems and driving sustainable economic development.

Eszter Lakos (HU/EPP), member of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), highlighted the need to align infrastructure investments with the EU's industrial and technological priorities. She also pointed to the importance of creating stronger synergies between EU funding instruments and regional capacities in order to maximise long-term impact.

High-level representatives of the European Commission emphasised the need for a more coordinated and accessible infrastructure ecosystem across Europe. They highlighted that improving cross-border access to infrastructures for researchers, innovators and industry will be essential to strengthening Europe's competitiveness and innovation performance.

Throughout the discussions, participants emphasised the central role of cities and regions in hosting and integrating research and technology infrastructures into local innovation ecosystems, connecting universities, SMEs, public authorities and industry.

During the panel debate, speakers identified fragmentation and unequal access to infrastructures as key challenges for Europe's innovation landscape. At the same time, they pointed to significant opportunities to scale up collaboration, strengthen knowledge valorisation and develop cross-regional partnerships.

In the final session, Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), member of the Espoo City Council and rapporteur of the CoR's opinion on 'A European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures', presented the institution's key messages and recommendations on the topic. He stressed that a successful European approach must be based on stronger multi-level governance, to ensure that local and regional authorities are fully involved in both the design and implementation of the strategy. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver tangible benefits for citizens and territories, including new jobs, skills development and enhanced regional competitiveness.

The seminar concluded with a shared understanding that the EU's future innovation strength will depend on its ability to connect regional excellence with a common strategic vision, turning a diverse infrastructure landscape into an integrated and globally competitive European network.

Quotes

Heike Raab (DE/PES), State Secretary of the Rhineland Palatinate State Government and chair of SEDEC: "Research and technology infrastructures are strategic assets that are hosted and co-financed by local and regional authorities. Regions and cities build the ecosystems that give them life - connecting universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, and public services."

Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo and SEDEC 1st Vice-chair: "The aim is clear: to transform Europe's research and technology infrastructures into a connected, accessible, and competitive network, while ensuring that local communities actively benefit from their presence."

Background

• Video and photos from the seminar.
• The Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) is a joint initiative between the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the European Committee of the Regions, under the institutions' recently signed Joint Action Plan (24 April 2026) for enhanced cooperation in research and innovation. The KEP platform supports dialogue between EU institutions, regional and local authorities, and stakeholders on research and innovation policies, with a particular focus on implementation at regional and local level.
• The new European Strategy for research and technology infrastructures sets out a long-term vision for a more coordinated and accessible infrastructure ecosystem across Europe. The strategy aims to connect infrastructures into a coherent network, strengthen regional participation and ensure that innovation investments generate concrete economic and societal benefits across all territories.