I3-2026-INV2a - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a

Expected Impact: FOR ALL THREE THEMATIC PRIORITIES: Expected impact at the closure of the project (non-exhaustive list): Creation of new value chains in less developed regions and transition regions; Application and deployment of innovative technologies and solutions (new to the region) in less developed and transition regions (innovation diffusion); Exploitation of project results; Innovative technologies tested and adopted by the market; Innovative solutions deployed improving businesses confidence, competences and means to digitalise and grow; Contribution to digitisation and health systems transformation, through various types of innovation and the supply of IT services; Uptake of technologically/economically reliable and viable solutions on the market; Deployment of new technologies fostering the growth of Europe’s manufacturing sector; Innovative technologies adopted by SMEs; Identification of possible sources of funding/funding mix, to cover the residual investment needs (public-private partnerships for the deployment of innovation, the collaboration with venture capitals, EIB group loans etc); Strengthening innovation diffusion channels; Reinforcing the capacity of regions to co-invest together, joining forces on common S3 investment priorities (interregional investments). Long-term impact (non-exhaustive list): Reduction of the innovation divide and of disparities between more developed and less developed regions; Increased companies’ productivity and efficiency; Improved user-friendly, accessible and interoperable public services; Improved level of digital skills; Improved EU innovation capacity and competitiveness; Creating new market opportunities for EU companies; Making the EU industry more efficient and sustainable; Improved way of living and of doing business; Increased social and territorial cohesion as well as personal well-being; Improved education and vocational training systems (indirectly); Reinforcing/reshaping EU value chains whilst increasing EU competitiveness in global markets; Unlocking the innovation potential of EU regions/countries; Contributing to the European Green Deal objectives; Positive impact on environment, security, health, climate, social and economy; Contribution to the twin transition and to the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector; Economic growth and job creation; Reinforcing/reshaping EU value chains whilst increasing the competitiveness of the EU in global markets. Objective: The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument is a funding instrument under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF, article 13). Implemented under Cohesion Policy, the I3 Instrument supports interregional cooperation in innovation by using Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) as a guiding framework to connect regional strengths, align complementary capabilities and strengthen EU value chains. The I3 Instrument supports the scaling-up and commercialisation of interregional innovation projects in shared or complementary S3 areas. It promotes innovation diffusion and industrial deployment by mobilising coordinated investments across regions and enables innovation actors to move from validated solutions and investment ideas towards market uptake and economic impact. This direction aligns with the Union’s broader policy agenda on competitiveness, industrial transformation, innovation, security and resilience as reflected in the Competitiveness Compass , the Clean Industrial Deal , the Single Market Strategy , the proposed European Competitiveness Fund , the Start-up and Scale-up Strategy , and the forthcoming European Innovation Act . A core objective of the I3 Instrument is to strengthen EU and regional value chains and Europe’s competitiveness through interregional cooperation that brings together less developed, transition and more developed regions. In practice, the I3 Instrument focuses on bringing mature innovations into deployment across regions (move from TRL 6 to TRL 9. Projects are therefore expected to use I3 Instrument for validation, demonstration, adaptation, replication, scale-up and market uptake. This approach helps connect companies, intermediaries and public authorities across regional ecosystems, with the aim of accelerating market uptake and strengthening European value chains. Over time, this should contribute to more diversified industrial activity and new business opportunities across EU regions. Scope: This call for proposals is for Strand 2a and focuses on reinforcing the integration of innovation actors from less developed regions and transition regions in developing EU value chains while creating local opportunities for innovation and smart economic transformation in regions with shared (or complementary) smart specialisation areas. The objective of the present I3 Instrument Strand 2a call for proposals is to support interregional innovation in