Local roots, European reach: New strategy sets direction for research and technology infrastructures

On 5 May 2026, policymakers, regional leaders, and research and innovation experts convened in Brussels for a high-level seminar organised in collaboration with the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). The event focused on the new European Strategy for research and technology infrastructures and how it can better connect local assets with Europe's broader innovation ambitions.

In the opening session, Tanya Hristova, First Vice-Chair of the SEDEC Commission of CoR, underlined the need to place regions at the centre of Europe's innovation agenda. She stressed that local authorities are not just implementers, but strategic actors capable of shaping competitive ecosystems. Eszter Lakos, speaking from the perspective of the European Parliament's ITRE Committee, highlighted the importance of aligning infrastructure investments with Europe's industrial and technological priorities. She pointed to the need for stronger synergies between EU funding instruments and regional capacities to ensure long-term impact. From the European Commission side, Éva-Mária Szávuj, Head of the European Semester and Country Intelligence Unit and Kirsi Haavisto, Head of Unit of the Knowledge Valorisation & Technology Infrastructures unit at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, emphasised that Europe must move towards a more coordinated and accessible infrastructure landscape. They highlighted that improving access for researchers, innovators, and industry across borders will be key to strengthening Europe's global competitiveness.

The panel discussion further explored how the strategy can respond to the global race for technological leadership. Participants represented various regional stakeholders and pointed to persistent fragmentation and uneven access as major bottlenecks, while also identifying opportunities to scale up collaboration, knowledge valorisation, and cross-regional partnerships. A strong regional perspective was maintained throughout the event. Speakers repeatedly highlighted that cities and regions play a crucial role in hosting and integrating infrastructures into local innovation ecosystems, linking universities, SMEs, and public authorities.

In the concluding segment, Markku Markkula presented key takeaways from the opinion of CoR on the strategy. As the rapporteur of the opinion, he stressed that a successful European approach must be built on stronger multi-level governance, where local and regional actors are fully engaged in both design and implementation. He also emphasised the importance of translating infrastructure investments into tangible benefits for citizens, including jobs, skills, and regional competitiveness.

The seminar closed with a clear message: Europe's future innovation strength will depend on its ability to connect local excellence with a shared strategic direction, turning a diverse infrastructure landscape into a truly integrated and competitive network.

Background

The Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) is a joint initiative between the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the European Committee of the Regions. It is the first action implemented from the Joint Action Plan for enhanced cooperation in research and innovation. It supports structured dialogue between EU institutions, regional and local authorities, and stakeholders on research and innovation policies, with a strong focus on implementation on the ground.

The European Strategy for research and technology infrastructures sets out a long-term vision to build a more coordinated and accessible ecosystem across Europe. It aims to connect infrastructures into a coherent network, strengthen regional participation, and ensure that innovation investments deliver concrete economic and societal benefits across all territories.

More information

Knowledge Exchange Platform

The European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures

Opinion on the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures