Many European regions set a goal to transform themselves into leaders in developing the 21st century technologies and increasing commercialization of new technologies. To this end different strategies, policy instruments and funding mechanisms have been launched, aiming to speed up the university R&D cycle, promote entrepreneurship and innovation culture, to provide access for SMEs to research infrastructure and R&D results. The InnoBridge project partners organized an international conference in Tampere, Finland on February 19, 2019 to hear from stakeholders and analyse what we have learned and achieved so far in this area.

Speakers from universities, regional operational programmes from eight European regions, regional and local authorities, representatives of the private sector and NGOs pointed out the importance of human capital, of EU level policies, partnerships and collaborations. Sevdalina Voynova participated in the panel discussion on the new role of the public sector in fostering innovation.

The InnoBridge project is funded through the INTERREG EUROPE programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the EU.