Universities are at the heart of the innovation process, and a key innovation driver especially within the regional environments they operate in. They provide the knowledge and the research that enable transformations and tackle societal challenges, train the workforce, and connect multiple actors both public and private. To further foster innovation, Maastricht University is one of the main stakeholders of Brightlands, a triple helix innovation hub that provides entrepreneurs, scientists and students state-of-the-art facilities to support development, education, innovation and growth.

The European Commission has recently stepped up its efforts to foster innovation in Europe in synergy with policy initiatives education and research as part of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel's wide-ranging portfolio: a new European Innovation Agenda, aimed at working alongside the already existing European Research Area (ERA) and European Education Area (EEA), is in the making. The European Innovation Council (EIC) has been formally established as part of the Horizon Europe funding programme, and operates in coordination with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). In addition, the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) programme, complements both the EIC and the EIT and works in harmony with regional investment programmes. 

With this in mind, what are the opportunities for universities and their (regional) innovation partners from the EU initiatives aimed at supporting innovation? How can they engage in shaping the innovation policies of the future? Where can they find the right information?

In this talk, we will be shedding light on these questions and talking innovation with Ms Fabienne Gautier, Acting Head of Department of Innovation Ecosystems, SMP/Entrepreneurship and Consumers at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Join us online on 15 June from 12:00 to 13:00 for an open discussion on how to benefit from ongoing EU initiatives!