Supporting research and innovation (R&I) has been an important priority of EU policies in the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020, and it will become even more relevant in the future. There are more opportunities for support to innovation initiatives made available for the period 2021-2027. At the same time, there are more challenges that require higher level of coordination and combination of funding, such as economic crises caused by COVID-19, and the ambition to lead the green and digital transition. 

The new regulatory framework for the period 2021-2027 is calling Interreg programmes to build complementarities and synergies between different Interreg strands, but also beyond reaching out to other funding programmes and instruments.  How to do it in practice? During this event we will look into existing programme experiences, challenges and recommendations. The event sets Smart Specialisation in the focus. 

As a place-based industrial and innovation policy approach RIS3 show where investments bring the highest impact for the grows of the regions. The RIS3 priorities are largely considered when building Interreg programmes, especially in a cross-border setting. In this way, RIS3 can inspire and set focus for a better coordination between different funding programmes.